Eden Hazard’s poor spell at Real Madrid gets worse
Against Cacereño, Hazard had zero shots and zero dribbles. His Real Madrid career continues to suffer three years later.
Three and a half years ago, Eden Hazard was unstoppable in Baku, taking on half the Arsenal team and scoring twice against Peter Cech. In Cáceres on Tuesday, he was unable to trouble a defence of semi-professional players and a goalkeeper, Iván Moreno, who while the Belgian was lifting the Europa League, was playing for Alhaurino, a team in the now defunct Group IX of the Third Division. That is the new reality of Eden Hazard.
Real Madrid insisted he returned from Qatar with a work ethic, especially in the gym, never seen in him at Valdebebas. There have been times when the attacker’s carefree lifestyle has taken its toll on his size, but Hazard’s physique has not deserted him; he is footballer who has said au revoir. Against Cacereño, there wasn’t a shot, a dribble, or anything to cause trouble. Although he hadn’t started for Madrid for three months, Hazard saw it was a thankless game to be involved in resigned at the drop of a hat. He rounded a poor performance off with zero shoots, zero dribbles and zero fouls caused. He was invisible.
Madrid are counting down the days until they can get rid of Hazard, who is still by far the highest-paid player in the squad and whose contract runs until 2024. Rodrygo scored a stunning goal as Los Blancos booked their place in the next round of the Copa del Rey. If you have skill, pace and confidence, not many defenders will stop you. Hazard doesn’t work on the Bernabéu pitch or other pitches whether they are better or worse, and probably doesn’t work in his own backyard either. “Maradona played on muddy pitches,” said Carlos Ordóñez, president of Cacereño, after the match.
Hazard gives up
Hazard had not played more than an hour in any game for Madrid this season and Carlo Ancelotti tried to give him a run against Cacereño, hoping for a reaction, but in the 67th minute, he gave up. It was significant. At 0-0, Ancelotti preferred to give his debut to Castillista Álvaro Rodríguez (18). A minute later, the genius of Rodrygo appeared. The future said goodbye to the past.