Real Madrid new signings: Verdict so far - Hazard, Jovic, Kubo...
Eden Hazard has failed to impress, while the opening weeks of Luka Jovic and Ferland Mendy's Real Madrid careers have been hit by misfortune.
Having so far mustered a win, a draw and three defeats, Real Madrid are yet to hit their stride this pre-season - and, when it comes to their raft of new recruits, Los Blancos' 300m-euro summer investment is in the main still to show signs of breathing new life into the team after a wretched 2018/19 campaign.
While youngsters Takefusa Kubo and Rodrygo Goes have offered glimpses of real promise, and Éder Militao has not yet had made his Madrid bow as he has only just returned from his extended, post-Copa América break, the trio of Ferland Mendy, Luka Jovic and Eden Hazard have all been unable to impress.
The verdict so far on Real Madrid's new signings:
Hazard:
Signed from Chelsea in a deal worth 100m euros plus add-ons, the Belgian has arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu tasked with establishing himself as the fulcrum of the team. However, having featured in all five of Madrid's pre-season fixtures, his displays thus far have fallen well short of expectations.
Clearly well short of full physical fitness, Hazard has delivered little of note in any of Madrid's games: no goals, no assists, no stand-out pieces of play of any description. With the beginning of the LaLiga season fast approaching - Zinedine Zidane's men kick off their campaign at Celta Vigo on Saturday 17 August - the 28-year-old still has a lot of work to do, it seems.
Rodrygo and Kubo:
The pair have looked unfazed, despite both being just 18. Against Bayern Munich, in what was his first appearance for Madrid, Rodrygo demonstrated his personality by putting his hand up for a free-kick and promptly firing a wonderful effort into the net. The Brazilian, who was then a starter against Tottenham, has been given 183 minutes of action, and is a player Zidane seems to have confidence in.
Kubo, meanwhile, has set about showcasing his talent with several moments of quality, yet has not been rewarded for this in the form of game time. He has played just 103 minutes across four pre-season games and, as Zidane has made plain in the press room, is destined for the Castilla squad.
Jovic and Mendy:
Jovic and Mendy have both found the opening weeks of their Real Madrid careers hit by misfortune.
After an innocuous opening appearance against Bayern, striker Jovic was then the man sacrificed by Zidane when defender Nacho Fernández was sent off against Arsenal, before being sidelined by an ankle injury after a collision with goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the defeat to Atlético Madrid. With just 88 minutes under his belt for Madrid, he has not yet had enough time to make his mark.
As for Mendy, his total of 90 minutes across the games against Bayern and Atlético offered glimmers of the defensive solidity at left-back which (unlike Marcelo) the Frenchman could bring to the team. However, a thigh injury has postponed the debate over which of the two should be Zidane's first choice...