Ever since moving to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, Eden Hazard’s reputation as a world-class player has taken a massive hit. And though the responsibility of delivering on the pitch is completely that of the player, it cannot be denied that Hazard has had an awfully unlucky spell since moving to the Spanish capital.
Having spent more time out injured than available for selection for the first team in the last two years, Hazard has been a shadow of his former self, with the player that was heralded as the best in the Premier League almost non-existent. However, we saw a glimmer of the old Hazard in Madrid’s outing against Alaves yesterday in La Liga.
The winger managed to provide an assist for Karim Benzema’s 41st minute goal, before getting Madrid’s third goal himself in injury time of the first half.
This is only the fourth goal that Hazard has scored for his dream club, with the goal recently being his first since the penalty he put away against Inter Milan in the Champions League in November the last time that the former Chelsea man found the back of the net.
Real Madrid assistant coach David Bettoni has urged fans and spectators alike to have patience with the Belgian, acknowledging his struggles and backing the 30-year-old to find his best form at the club in due course.
“I think Eden has had a tough season and a half with Real Madrid,” he told a news conference.
“We have to be patient with him, although obviously in football and especially at Real Madrid, we don’t really have time to be that patient but with Eden I think we have to be.
“He had a very good game, scoring a goal and getting an assist and I think we’ll see the best of him eventually. We saw a little bit of that today.”