“I think he’s close to his best. Let’s hope now that we can see him soon”. Eleven days later, the words spoken by Carlo Ancelotti at a press conference ring incredibly hollow. The Brainois then came out of four disputed matches including three tenures (Cadiz, Bilbao, Alcoyano) and an entry at half-time (Getafe). Yes, but that was before! Because the Supercopa quickly brought the former Chelsea player back to earth.
Trust with Ancelotti shattered?
With zero minutes played in this competition, Eden Hazard had to understand an obvious reality: Ancelotti does not count on him. “At the moment he needs to regain the confidence in his abilities, like what he was doing before. His physical condition is good.” Here is also what the Italian said about his player after his spell on the pitch. But how do you get a boost of confidence without having a single minute of playing time?
Especially since Real played extra time during the Clasico for example. But the coach favored the legs of a Valverde and the vivacity of a Rodrygo. Even when Vinicius left the field, Ancelotti preferred to bet on Eduardo Camavinga. The straw that broke the camel’s back? This double talk slowly begins to irritate the captain of the Devils.
In its edition of the day, Marca announced that Carlo Ancelotti no longer counted on the player. “The reality is that his place is behind Asensio and Rodrygo once Vinicius is out on the left side.” A situation known for a long time. Only a change of system would allow the former Chelsea to return to favor. But why change? The Italian’s record is close to perfection. He won the Supercopa, is still in the Copa race, first in his group in C1 and a solid leader in La Liga.
What solutions for Hazard?
Inevitably, in this type of case, the question of a transfer is put back on the table. Especially since the ferocious Spanish press has never let go of the Red Devil. Too laughing after Real’s elimination against Chelsea last year, the (normally) cheerful Eden was, this time, too dull after celebrating the trophy with his teammates. “At the club, we are aware that Hazard’s situation is not the most convenient. Even if he is a player with whom it is not difficult to get along with on a daily basis in a locker room, the fact that he does not play at all could lead to complicated situations”, points out Marca.
Even frustrated, Eden does not seem to be a burden for a group at all. Admittedly, the player is experiencing an unprecedented (and difficult) situation in his career with this place as a reservist. And his repeated injuries have greatly frustrated him in the past, but it is not in the nature of Brainois to go to clash. He refused to do it at Chelsea to force his departure, why would he do it at Real Madrid?
In other words, a transfer during this winter seems excluded. The National announced a firm offer of €40m plus €10m in bonuses accepted by Real. Others mentioned an interest from Everton in the event of Martinez’s arrival. Certainly, Newcastle has a good head of pigeon in this transfer window and is ready to spend crazy sums to save themselves (30M€ for Chris Wood for example). But paying so much for a 31-year-old player who hasn’t started for three years seems (very) excessive. While Martinez will not come to the Toffees which settles the question for this transfer window.
For all these reasons, Eden Hazard should still stay with Real. At least until summer. As stated by AS. “Real’s aim is for Eden to show signs of a return to physical and mental fitness in the second half of the season. Before transferring him in June with half of his salary already paid.” Ten months from Qatar, the second best player of the 2018 World Cup will have to make the right choice. With only one goal in mind: to play.
