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Boehly sold Chelsea's "new Hazard" for just £17m, now he's worth even more than Quenda - opinion

The Todd Boehly era at Chelsea has seen huge funds dropped in the transfer market to try and hand various managers with the ammunition needed to achieve Premier League glory.

The American has splashed over £1.3b on new additions since taking over in May 2022, with the 51-year-old investing over £40m in 17-year-old Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP.

The teenager is set to return to his boyhood club on loan until the summer of 2026, when he will move to Stamford Bridge looking to nail down a regular starting role despite his tender age.

Sporting CP's Geovany Quenda in action

He won’t be alone in being a teenage sensation on the books by that point, with Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian both moving to the club before Quenda arrives in West London.

The trio will be hoping to make an immediate impact in England, potentially trying to emulate the success of one player who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his time as a Blue.

Eden Hazard’s stats as a Chelsea player

Back in the summer of 2012, Chelsea forked out £32m for the signature of Belgian winger Eden Hazard - a deal that will undoubtedly be one of the best in the club's history given his record at the club.

The attacker is not only one of the best to grace the Bridge but also England’s top-flight as a whole, registering 110 goals and 78 assists in his 352 appearances during his seven years in West London.

hazard-chelsea-arsenal

There’s no debate that his best season came in his final year at the club, notching 21 goals and 17 assists in his 52 outings, helping the Blues win the Europa League in his final game before his eventual departure.

After winning two league titles, one FA Cup, a Carabao Cup and a PFA Player of the Year award, Hazard would move to Real Madrid in a £150m deal in the summer of 2019 - banking a whopping £118m profit in the process.

However, despite the huge spending over the last few years, the club have been unable to land a replacement, potentially offloading one who could’ve fit the bill too prematurely.

The Chelsea star who could’ve been the next Hazard

Cole Palmer is the latest attacker at Chelsea trying to play a key role in their ambitions of returning to Premier League glory, undoubtedly being the star in the final third since his move in 2023.

He’s notched 60 combined goals and assists in his 78 outings, helping Enzo Maresca’s side push for a Champions League place come the end of the current campaign.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer with manager Enzo Maresca after being substituted

However, he could’ve been aided in his attempts by Christian Pulisic, had the Blues decided to keep hold of the forward, rather than sell him during the summer of 2023.

The American international star scored 26 times in his 145 appearances after joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2019 - the same window Hazard departed for Madrid.

Such an occurrence led to journalist Owuraku Ampofo dubbing the 26-year-old as the “next Hazard”, but he was prematurely sold by Todd Boehly - joining Italian giants AC Milan for just £17m.

The move has allowed the winger to take his career to the next level, registering 16 goals and 10 assists in his first season in Serie A, cementing himself as a key member of the side at the San Siro.

Christian Pulisic

He’s since taken his game up a notch in 2024/25, already scoring 15 times to date, subsequently outscoring current Blues star man Palmer, who’s only managed 14 under Maresca.

As a result of his consistent displays under Sergio Conceicao, his market value has skyrocketed, with Transfermarkt now valuing Pulisic at £42m - a rise of £25m in the near two years since he left England.

Christian Pulisic's stats for Chelsea (2019/2023)

Season

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

Total:

Stats via Transfermarkt

His subsequent value is also higher than new signing Quenda, who’s only valued at £25m despite his big-money transfer to the club, showcasing the mistake the club may have made in allowing the American to depart.

Boehly has gained a reputation for making needless additions since his takeover, spending huge fees on players not up to the level required of the Premier League.

He could’ve saved himself a lot of cash had he kept hold of Pulisic, with their loss Milan’s gain, potentially being a key player in their Serie A title ambitions for many years to come.

Geovany Quenda Related

[Quenda upgrade: Chelsea make enquiry to sign "one of the best left wingers"](https://www.footballfancast.com/chelsea-make-enquiry-for-yildiz-whos-better-than-quenda/ "Quenda upgrade: Chelsea make enquiry to sign "one of the best left wingers"")

Chelsea appear to be making serious moves ahead of the summer transfer window.

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