This season promises to be a huge one for Eden Hazard.
The Belgian superstar joined Real Madrid last summer, but failed to impress, due to setback after setback. Initially, Hazard arrived from Chelsea overweight, meaning it took him weeks before he could return to match readiness. Questioned about this, he told the media “It’s true, I can’t lie. But if I’m on vacation, I’m on vacation. I gained five kilos in the summer. I’m someone who puts on weight very quickly but I can lose it fast as well.”
Once he got into the groove, he then sustained an injury in November, meaning he needed instant surgery on the same ankle he has previously be operated on. And even upon his return after the global lockdown, he still didn’t show anything more than a few glimpses of what he could do – but both Zinedine Zidane and Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez continuously backed the 29-year old forward to bounce back.
And now, as his second season at his dream club draws ever closer, there are still question marks around how capable he is with his current level of fitness. The past week saw Hazard travel with his national team for two UEFA Nations League games, but he sat on the bench throughout both, not playing a single minute. ‘He is 60 training sessions away from being able to start’, said Martinez when asked about Hazard’s lack of involvement, which begs the question, why did Hazard leave Valdebebas?
The club are no doubt unimpressed, as the Spanish media have reported, but the sensation is more of a concern, rather than anger. The question now is one no one can answer, perhaps not even Hazard – when will he be in his optimal state? Madrid’s fixtures are going to come thick and fast, and Los Blancos kick off their league title defence away at Real Sociedad on September 20th.
