Following the departure of the Belgian forward to Real Madrid, England international Ross Barkley previously hinted he is ready to fill the void left by his former teammate.
But his ambition seems to be impossible and speaking ahead of the side’s UEFA Super Cup game against Liverpool on Wednesday, Frank Lampard has disclosed the pacey winger can never be replaced.
“I was a huge fan of Eden Hazard as a Chelsea fan, I played with him," he told a news conference ahead of his side's UEFA Super Cup clash against Liverpool on Wednesday.
"For me, clearly one of the best players in world football and last season, but not just last season, over his time at Chelsea he was the most productive player in the team generally, in terms of assists and goals and a leader.
"You cannot replace him individually, I think it's pretty much impossible because of the high, high level he is at now in his career.
"But the good news and the positive news for us and we must stay calm and be patient with this [is] we have a group of players, some younger players, some experienced players, that now have the opportunity to show that collectively and individually they can step up because yes, you are missing a huge amount of assists and goals, that's clear.
"The answer is as a team, we have to find a way to carry on because a football club like Chelsea will always carry on. Eden Hazard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, players improve on and it's down to the next players, the next manager. That's our big challenge now, to say good luck to Eden Hazard and to carry on as Chelsea."
