Official: Hazard is staying at Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti has announced that Eden Hazard is staying at Real Madrid next season.
Hazard had been expected to leave the club this summer after another disastrous campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu.
What did Ancelotti say about Hazard?
“His plan is quite clear: he is staying and he is doing so with a lot of motivation because he has had a tough time in these last years. He wants to show his quality,”
Ancelotti said during his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s match against Cadiz
“Hazard’s plans are quite clear. He is staying next year.
“There are a lot of games, there is tiredness, there will be rotations even if this season there haven’t been as many. Everyone can have their chances.
“A starting place at a big club is difficult for everyone, not just the players who play less. I continue to be of the opinion that the quantity of minutes is not as important as the quality. This year we have the clear example of Rodrygo, who hasn’t played many minutes but has played quality minutes and has made the difference.”
Hazard was widely regarded as one of the world’s best players when he signed for Real Madrid from Chelsea for €100 million in the summer of 2019.
However, his two and a half seasons in the Spanish capital have been nothing short of a disaster as he has been plagued by injury problems and poor form.
In the 65 games he has played for Madrid, Hazard has managed only six goals and eight assists.
This season things have got even worse for the Belgian, as he has started only nine games in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists.
He turned 31 this year and his contract at Real Madrid expires in 2024.