Chelsea are facing a desperate battle to keep attacker Eden Hazard this summer following their Champions League exit to Barcelona on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old watched on from up the field as his side's defence was dismantled by Lionel Messi who hammered home twice in Barcelona's 3-0 win.
It's fair to say neither Hazard nor Courtois have done much to justify being Real Madrid targets tonight #cfc
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) March 14, 2018
However, despite the disappointment of the last-16 exit, the Blues' plight could be increased further at the end of the season, should their league form not pick up.
Boss Antonio Conte is reportedly destined for the Stamford Bridge exit door this summer, and according to the Mirror, both Hazard and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could follow suit should Chelsea fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Chelsea fans are so ungreatful.. imagine wanting to sell Hazard just because of the Barcelona game, we really don't deserve him..
— . (@OfficialCheIs) March 15, 2018
The west Londoners currently sit four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and are five adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, who they face following the international break.
The possibility of the Blues missing out on Europe's elite competition is a very real one, and Real Madrid are waiting in the wings to pounce should that turn out to be the case.
Messi - World Class
— KNOXPETE (@KNOXTAINMENT) March 16, 2018
Ronaldo - World Class
Neymar - Top Class
Harry Kane - Top Class
Mo Salah - Top Class
Lewandowski - Top Class
Hazard - Top Class
Aguero & KDB - Top Class
It takes a whole lot to be a World Class player.
Messi and Ronaldo are on a world of their own.#UCL
Los Blancos are eyeing up both Hazard and Courtois following their own disappointing domestic campaign, and with the almost guarantee of Champions League football next term despite currently trailing league leaders Barcelona by 15 points in the Primera Division, the Belgian pairing could be persuaded.
The report claims that the Chelsea attacker is yet to commit his future to the club despite them willing to make him their best paid player with a £300,000-a-week deal.
Courtois, meanwhile, offers a more immediate concern, with the custodian entering the final year of his deal this summer; potentially forcing the Blues into making a sale.
