Welcome to our football.london CarefreeChelsea daily news round-up. Maybe not the first, we've definitely done transfer round-ups before and European round-ups, so I guess in some ways it's not that new at all.
Anyway, we thought we would enter the world of football in a broad and roundabout manner and have some fun with some of the stories and captions doing the daily rounds.
Hopeful Blues fans handed heartbreaking Eden Hazard update as Jose Mourinho plots second Chelsea raid. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have plan in place to poach in-form frontman from Chelsea.
Hazard to miss Chelsea clash
Eden Hazard is set to undergo surgery in the next few days, according to an official statement from Real Madrid. Reports from Spain claim that the Belgian will be out for five months and will miss both legs of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final draw against Chelsea.
The surgery is to remove the osteosynthesis plate on his right fibula. Mario Cortegana, a correspondent for Spanish outlet Marca, reports that the 31-year-old initially wanted surgery in 2021 because of discomfort with said plate.
Hazard has struggled to warrant his eye-watering £100m transfer fee since swapping Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu in 2019. His time in Spain has been hampered by frustrating setbacks and the rise to the superstardom of Vinicius Junior.
READ MORE: Christian Pulisic defies Eden Hazard myth as Thomas Tuchel unlocks Chelsea's own Raheem Sterling
READ MORE: Four things that will 'definitely' happen at Chelsea if John Terry completes ambitious takeover
Chelsea's former number ten, who sees his contract at Real Madrid expire in 2024, has averaged just 40.4 minutes a game across 17 La Liga appearances this season.
Our view: It's absolutely heartbreaking that Hazard won't be able to feature for Real Madrid against Chelsea in front of fans. I hope that he'll at least be able to travel to Stamford Bridge and have a proper send-off!
No way, Jose! Mourinho eyes Gallagher loan
Roma boss Jose Mourinho is looking to sign Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher on loan next season, according to TEAMtalk. The 22-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm this season, proving pivotal in Crystal Palace's mission for a top-ten finish.
TEAMtalk claims that the former Blues boss, like many, has been impressed by Gallagher's performances. The Cobham graduate has directly contributed towards eleven goals in 25 appearances.
However, despite Mourinho's interest, football.london understands that Gallagher fully expects to return to Chelsea in the summer as he looks to fight for a first-team spot next season under Thomas Tuchel. The west London side could soon face a midfield contract dilemma, with N'Golo Kante's and Jorginho's deals both expiring in June 2023.
Our view: Chelsea are in no position to sanction this deal. Sorry, Jose, but Gallagher must be a part of Tuchel's starting-eleven next season.
Atletico eye Ziyech swoop
Atletico Madrid are 'seriously' considering a move for Chelsea magician Hakim Ziyech, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes. The 29-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular resurgence in west London lately, scoring three in his last four Premier League ties.
Fichajes claims that Diego Simeone thinks he can get Ziyech firing on all cylinders again like in his Ajax days. Ziyech, who's valued at £32m, doesn't see his contract in west London expire until June 2025, handing prospective Chelsea owners the chance to cash in on his interest.
The retired Morocco international looked a shadow of himself in his first season at Chelsea but has since reignited his flame. During a time when Tuchel's side suffered some rough form, Ziyech upped the ante and put on a handful of big performances.
Our view: I wouldn't like to see Ziyech leave; he's done so well to get back on track, it'd be an injustice if he were to pack his bags just as he begins to hit a purple patch. Although, if this price is right and Chelsea can recuperate the fee paid for him, I'd give the deal the green light.
