In July 2019, Eden Hazard made a staggering 100 million euros move from the Premier League to La Liga, with just one year left in his Chelsea contract. Real Madrid had been eyeing the Belgian winger for many transfer windows and saw him as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, things transpired quite distastefully for the 2019 Europa League winner. Hazard hasn’t started a game for Real Madrid since losing to Sheriff 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, all the way back in September. Ahead of their reverse fixture against the same side, Curtois expressed his confidence in his Belgian teammate bouncing back very soon.
He added that Hazard remains incredibly professional in the training sessions and never puts his head down.
“I have known Eden for many years and his dream has always been to play for Real Madrid so he feels sad that it is not going how he wants it to. I do not see him as someone with his head down, I see him training to the maximum because he wants to be successful.
He will play when the boss puts him on but I am sure that his day will come, because we cannot forget the quality that Eden has. These days we forget very quickly the talent of the players,”
the Los Blancos keeper said.
Even manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed that he admires Hazard’s professionalism but admitted to preferring other players in the XI as it stands. However, if he remains fit, he mentioned that the Belgian will get his share of chances.
Since joining the club in 2019, Hazard has made just over 50 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions and scored just five goals. In 2021/22, he got to play 11 games and is expected to remain fitter than before.
Real are currently topping their Champions League Group D with Sheriff and Inter Milan in close distance. However, a win tonight can steer them into the Round of 16 with a game to spare. They are also on top of the La Liga table, four points clear of Atletico Madrid and 10 ahead of Barcelona.
