Chelsea tipped to replace Eden Hazard in the same way they coped without Didier Drogba

Eden Hazard is not impossible to replace and Chelsea can cope without the Belgium international if he leaves the club in the near future, according to former defender Marcel Desailly.

The 26-year-old has flirted with leaving Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, having revealed his admiration for Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and desire win the Champions League.

Zidane is the only manager in the era of the Champions League to win the competition in successive seasons and though Hazard admits he is "happy" at Chelsea, his comments have inflamed speculation.

Recent reports have suggested Hazard is stalling on signing a new Chelsea contract worth £300,000 (€340,000) a week, which would make him the best paid player in the club's history.

But even if Hazard takes his leave in the coming months – rumours in Spain claim Real could sign him for around £90m – then Desailly believes Roman Abramovich will finance the signing of a replacement.

"We are still in the season, no player is more important than the club," he told Goal.com. "Even when Drogba left, one of the great players, the spirit of the club continued. They continued to win.

"We will be sad if Hazard has to go but I am sure that Roman Abramovich is still passionate about the club. He will bring in another player that can allow the club to be at the same level again."

With Chelsea looking destined to lose their Premier League title amid Manchester City's near-perfect start to the season, Antonio Conte could make the Champions League the club's priority during the remaining months of the campaign.

But the Blues are likely to be underdogs when their European commitments resume in Feburary, having been drawn against five-time winners and La Liga leaders Barcelona in the round of 16.

Desailly feels the Champions League should become the priority and called upon Chelsea to ensure they are at the peak of their powers in time to face the Catalans.

"Chelsea lost to West Ham recently so the side is not in the best shape," he added. "They need to use the league to psychologically recover from this defeat and be in good shape come February when the Champions League starts [again].

"They can then recover from the past mistakes and show they have the capacity to become one of the leading sides in England and Europe. From what I have seen I think Manchester City have something more than any other team in Europe today. You see that by their 11-point lead on all the others.

"Hazard is in form and scoring goals so Chelsea need it all to come together collectively to be at a high level when they face Barcelona."