Carlo Ancelotti insists Eden Hazard has an ‘important’ role to play for Real Madrid in second half of the season… despite the injury-hit Belgian starting just one LaLiga game so far this term
- Eden Hazard has suffered a number of injury setbacks at Real Madrid this term
- Hazard has started just one league match for the Spanish champions
- He did manage to start two games for Belgium at the World Cup in Qatar
- Carlo Ancelotti is happy with Hazard’s condition following his return to the club
- The Madrid boss has backed Hazard to play an important role for Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti believes Eden Hazard can make a significant impact at Real Madrid in the second half of the season.
Since moving to the Bernabeu, Hazard has had to deal with a number of injury setbacks which have restricted him to just 72 appearances for the Spanish giants in over three years.
He started just one LaLiga match in the first part of the season prior to the World Cup, but Ancelotti has been impressed with Hazard’s condition since he returned from Qatar and has backed him to show his true worth to Madrid when the Spanish champions resume their title defence.
Eden Hazard has struggled with injuries throughout his time at Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti still feels Hazard can play an ‘important’ role for Madrid this season
‘I see him well. He has trained well. I see him better than before the World Cup, it’s true,’ Ancelotti said when talking about Hazard in his pre-match press conference ahead of Madrid’s league clash with Valladolid on Friday.
‘I’m sure that with all the games we have ahead of us, Hazard is going to be important.’
Despite his lack of game time in the lead up the World Cup, Hazard still started Belgium’s opening two games against Canada and Morocco.
He was dropped by Roberto Martinez for their final group game with Croatia, though, and Belgium were knocked out before the knockout rounds after being held to a goalless draw by their European rivals.
Hazard must now look to force his way back into the team when Madrid return to action
Hazard subsequently announced his retirement from international football, having scored 33 goals in 126 matches for his country.
The 31-year-old’s full focus is now on breaking back into the Madrid starting line-up, but he looks to have his work cut out with Vinicius Jr currently preferred on the left wing in Ancelotti’s team.
Hazard has 18 months left on his Madrid contract, and the second half of the campaign looks set to be crucial in determining whether he has a long-term future at the club.
