Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: Chelsea’s next Hazard?

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a dynamic winger for Napoli, is apparently being courted by Chelsea, and he may end up becoming Stamford Bridge’s next Eden Hazard.

Could Khvicha Kvaratskhelia be signed by Chelsea?

In order to retain him at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium despite interest from the Blues and other teams, the Serie A leaders are reportedly willing to double the salary of the player they only signed last summer when he signed a five-year contract after joining from Georgian team Dinamo Batumi.

Chelsea could try to expand their £550 million spending binge under Todd Boehly and give Pochettino more attacking alternatives at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues continue to struggle in the closing third of the goal, having scored only 29 goals in 27 Premier League games this season.

Kvaratskhelia is one of the Azzurri’s most sought-after players, and as such, he won’t come cheap. Luciano Spalletti’s team is projected to win the Scudetto this season, and Kvaratskhelia might fetch as much as €100 million (£88 million) for him.

The Chelsea-linked player has made 23 appearances in Serie A and has racked up an incredible 12 goals and 10 assists, earning a whopping 7.64 rating from WhoScored for his efforts. This has also affected all competitions, as he now has 14 goals and 16 assists.

Not only does he have a higher rating than any player in Chelsea’s roster, but no one who has played in more than 10 Premier League games for the Blues this season can equal his average of 2.9 shots, 1.7 critical passes, and 1.8 dribbles.

Within a month of the Georgian international’s debut with Napoli, journalist Mina Rzouki was gushing about him, writing:

“Ok, Kvaratskhelia is a phenomenon. This kid is so special. I know it’s just Napoli’s second game, but he is bossing everything.”

Is Kvaratskhelia the next Hazard for Chelsea?

Earlier in the season, Real Madrid winger Hazard—a former star at Stamford Bridge—was compared to the 22-year-old Georgian wide player by Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, who also praised the player on CBS Sports.

He said:

“[He is] very Eden Hazard-like. He is brilliant. He can do anything. Press. Dribble and assist. The balance, composure and vision.”

The Belgium international made an incredible 352 appearances while playing in England, scoring 110 goals and dishing out 92 assists, solidifying his status as a fan favourite and Premier League legend. But he has fallen from glory so dramatically that in seven games across all competitions, he has only managed one goal and one assist.

Since Hazard left Chelsea in 2019, other wingers such as Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech have not been able to fill his shoes at Stamford Bridge. Therefore, Kvaratskhelia might be just what Pochettino needs to build a team that can contend for the title .