Concern in Real Madrid squad that Champions League out of reach - report
The football journalist Edu Aguirre says a Real Madrid player has told him the dressing room is "pinning its hopes" on Eden Hazard finally hitting form.
There is concern among the Real Madrid players that their squad isn’t strong enough to challenge for the Champions League this season, Spanish football journalist Edu Aguirre has reported.
No summer signings for Real Madrid
Madrid, who have exited Europe's top club competition at the last-16 stage in each of the past two campaigns, made no new signings in the summer transfer window, which closed on Monday night.
The only footballers added to Zinedine Zidane’s squad over the close season were Martin Odegaard, Andriy Lunin and Álvaro Odriozola, who returned from loans at Real Sociedad, Real Oviedo and Bayern Munich, respectively.
Madrid players "desperately hoping Hazard can get into gear"
Speaking on the Spanish TV show ‘El Chiringuito’ on Monday, Aguirre cited an unnamed squad member as saying that club-record signing Eden Hazard must finally hit his stride at Madrid if the 13-time European champions are to have any chance of continental glory.
“A player has said to me that with what they have, they don’t look like having enough to win the Champions League,” Aguirre revealed, adding: "In the Real Madrid dressing room, they’re desperately hoping Hazard can get into gear.
“The dressing room is pinning its hopes on Hazard.”
Hazard limited to 22 games and one goal for Real Madrid so far
Hazard, 29, has endured a disappointing, injury-hit spell at Real Madrid since joining from Chelsea for an initial 100 million euros in summer 2019.
Restricted to just 22 appearances last term by two ankle breaks, the Belgium international suffered a muscle injury in late September and is yet to play in 2020/21.
His only goal for Madrid so far came in a LaLiga win over Granada 12 months ago.
Real top LaLiga table with Levante win
2019/20 LaLiga champions Madrid have started their domestic-title defence with three wins and a draw, moving to the top of the table at the weekend after a 2-0 victory over Levante.