LaLiga: Eden Hazard asks for more playing time at Real Madrid
Eden Hazard has spoken out about his ‘delicate’ situation at Real Madrid and the Belgium star is desperate for more playing time ahead of the World Cup.
The former Chelsea hero has found game time limited this term, appearing for a combined total of 98 minutes in La Liga from Real’s opening six fixtures.
He has been an unused substitute on three occasions and despite playing for 60 minutes against Celtic in the Champions League, Hazard once again found himself on the bench and not used for their second Group F match against RB Leipzig.
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The Belgium international left England for Real Madrid in 2019 in a deal worth over £100m after a trophy-laden spell in London in which he won two Premier League titles and two Europa League titles as well as the FA Cup and League Cup.
It has not gone to plan so far in Madrid though, with Hazard vilified by a section of the club’s fans and the Spanish media for his poor form and struggles with injury and fitness. The 31-year-old has just seven goals in 70 games for the club.
‘When I play, I give it my all,’ Hazard told ESPN. ‘It’s a delicate situation at Real Madrid. I feel like playing more, but I can’t do more.
‘I’ve always said the old Eden Hazard will come back when he plays. I just need to get back into the rhythm.’
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez claimed in November that Hazard was ‘sad’ at Real and he was linked with Arsenal and Newcastle this summer as well as a return to Chelsea, but Hazard is determined to prove his worth at the Bernabeu.
He addressed Madrid fans after their Champions League triumph last season, telling them: ‘I’ve been here for three years with many injuries… Next year I’m going to give it all for you.’
Ruben Loftus-Cheek recently spoke about Hazard’s legacy at Chelsea, saying: ‘It was unbelievable watching him first hand in his prime, just the way he played was so effortless.’