Why Did Hazard Fail in Madrid?

By Anna Duncan

Football fans around the world were eagerly anticipating the arrival of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid in 2019. The Belgian forward had been in scintillating form for Chelsea, leading them to two Premier League titles and Europa League glory.

However, his time at Los Blancos has been far from successful, with injuries and lack of form hindering his impact on the team. In this article, we will take a closer look at why Hazard has failed to live up to expectations at Real Madrid.

Injury Woes

One of the primary reasons for Hazard’s underwhelming performances has been his injury troubles. In his first season in Spain, he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for two months.

He returned briefly before another ankle injury ruled him out for the rest of the season. This meant that he missed 22 games in total and was unable to establish himself as a regular starter in Zinedine Zidane’s side.

Weight Issues

Hazard’s weight has also been a topic of discussion since his move to Madrid. He arrived at pre-season training overweight and struggled to regain full fitness throughout the campaign. The player himself admitted that he had put on some extra pounds during his holiday break after the 2018-19 season, which affected his performance on the field.

Adapting to a New System

Another factor that has contributed to Hazard’s struggles is his difficulty in adapting to Real Madrid’s system. At Chelsea, he was given more freedom and played in a more direct attacking role, often playing off a central striker or as an inside forward. However, at Real Madrid, he has been asked to play in a wider position and contribute more defensively as well.

The Pressure of Wearing Ronaldo’s Shirt

Hazard was handed Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic number 7 shirt when he joined Real Madrid, which put immense pressure on him to perform. Ronaldo had been the main man at the club for almost a decade, and Hazard was expected to fill his shoes immediately. This expectation may have weighed heavily on the Belgian’s shoulders, affecting his confidence and form on the field.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hazard’s time at Real Madrid has not gone as planned due to a combination of injury issues, weight problems, difficulty in adapting to a new system, and the pressure of wearing Ronaldo’s shirt. However, it is important to note that Hazard is still a world-class player and has shown flashes of brilliance at times. With proper fitness and support from his teammates and coaches, he can still turn things around at Real Madrid and prove his worth in the seasons to come.