Chelsea: Hazard holds the power over transfer says Lowe
The FIFA Appeal Committee passed the decision on appeal lodged by Chelsea to have their ban lifted and they will now be unable to sign players for two windows.
It might mean the Blues hang onto Eden Hazard, who will have one year left remaining on his current deal, despite interest from Real Madrid.
A statement released by Fifa on Wednesday said: “The Fifa Appeal Committee has decided to partially uphold the appeal lodged by Chelsea FC against the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to sanction the club with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two complete and consecutive registration periods.
“This ban applied to the club as a whole – with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams – and did not prevent the release of players.”
Zinedine Zidane is eager to bring the Belgian to Real Madrid this summer as he bids to revamp his underperforming squad.
Chelsea has previously only been willing to do business should they receive an offer in the region of £100million, but now the transfer ban may have changed their stance.
Now unable to sign players for two windows, Stamford Bridge chiefs will be aware they are unable to strengthen, therefore it makes no sense for them to sanction Hazard’s exit.
But their hand may be forced by the fact they would then lose him on a free transfer the following summer, which would be a double blow.
What Chelsea transfer ban means for Eden Hazard and targets Blues have already lined up (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri will now try to cling onto Eden Hazard (Image: GETTY)
Eden Hazard is a top target for Real Madrid this summer, but Chelsea's ban may change things (Image: GETTY)
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The one positive from the situation is that the Blues will now have no choice but to show faith in their youth products, including the likes of Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James.
Sarri will have his hands tied in the transfer market and will have to make do with his resources for two transfer windows, without falling behind the rest of the top six.
The club would have been looking to bring in a striker, with Mauro Icardi and Luka Jovic among those being looked at but they could now extend Gonzalo Higuain’s loan.
Michy Batshuayi and Tiemoue Bakayoko could also return to the club from loan spells and reignite their Chelsea careers.