Hazard makes Real Madrid plea: I want to play!
FT Desk
- 23 Sept 2022 14:23 BST
- 3 min read
Eden Hazard cost Real Madrid €146.1 million when he joined from Chelsea in 2019, but he has been restricted to just one La Liga start of a possible six this season…
Hazard has struggled to live up to his billing since swapping Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu. The Belgian winger had 110 goals and 92 assists with Chelsea, but has only managed seven and 11 in each column for Real in the three years since his move.
Injuries haven't helped the 2018/19 PFA Fans' Player of the Year, who remains a cornerstone for what is a golden generation Belgium team.
Eden Hazard completed his move to Chelsea on this day in 2012.
What was his best moment with the Blues?pic.twitter.com/X6bdLGomsL— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) June 4, 2022
On international duty with the team rated second to Brazil in the latest FIFA World Rankings, Hazard reflected on his Real Madrid plight, after a season so far which has seen him feature for just 158 minutes in all competitions.
"There have been difficult times because I want to play, and I don't play," he said ahead of Belgium's 2-1 win over Gareth Bale's Wales on Thursday.
Hazard: 'I want to play more!'
"I feel good at Real Madrid, I just play less [than I'd like]. And when I play, I play well. It's a delicate situation because I want to play more."
With Karim Benzema injured Hazard could be given a chance up front for Real. The Frenchman was subbed off early in the recent 3-0 win over Celtic in the Champions League, and Hazard scored the third goal having replaced him.
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Rodrygo got the not at No.9 in the Madrid derby win over Atletico last Sunday, though, with Hazard failing to get off the bench. He knows the situation is far from ideal.
"I know what I can do when I play," he continued. "I want to play as many minutes as possible and get to the World Cup in shape."
Hazard's current contract with Real runs until June 2024, and while he could still have a host of suitors, the player has made it clear before now that it is his priority to stay in the Spanish capital.
