Roberto Martínez says Courtois doesn't have an anxiety problem

Thibaut Courtois has lost weight at Real Madrid. Literally. The goalkeeper is still suffering from the effects of gastreoenteritis that struck during the first half of the Club Brugge game in the Champions League. 

Real Madrid moved to dispell rumours that Courtois was suffering from an anxiety attack during the game. He missed training after the Brugge game but said on Monday that he was "recovering and read to keep training with the national team."

Roberto Martínez, the national team coach, has rejected the idea that Courtois was suffering from anxiety too. "There is no problem with anxiety, he has to recover between one and a half and two kilos. 

After working on the fringes of the squad during the first day of training, he returned to normal training the following day with Belgium. If nothing happens before Thursday, he will start against San Marino and on Sunday against Kazakhstan. 

The security he transmits with Belgiam (0.73 goals per game and 50% of his games end in clean sheets) are in contrast to the doubts around his performances at Real Madrid (1.37 goals per game and 28% clean sheet rate). "I am convinced that he is the best goalkeeper in the world," said Martínez.

Hazard and his poor form

Another name that has come into focus in recent weeks and not for the right reasons is Eden Hazard. He arrived at Real Madrid carrying extra weight and has struggled to shift it. Martínez defended the attacker and his physical fitness. "His inate talent doesn't depend on him being one weight or another. He is a person who is very calm, he isn't a player going in search of personal glory. With or without weight, Eden can in a single moment unbalance a team and make the difference."

Hazard scored his first goal for Real Madrid against Granada and showed glimpses of the player the Bernabéu is yearning to see. He admitted after the game that he is listening to the critics and trying to prove them wrong.