Real Madrid News
Eden Hazard confident about returning to his ‘Chelsea level’ – report
Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid from Chelsea has not worked out as intended at all.
Los Blancos shelled out a sum of over €100 million to secure the Belgian wing-wizard from the Premier League giants in 2019. At the top of his game in the season before his move, Hazard has struggled to hit that level in Spain.
Fitness problems and relentless injuries have hampered the former LOSC Lille starlet. As a result, Hazard has made just 65 appearances for Real Madrid despite being at the club for almost three years.
With just six goals during this period, it would be safe to say that the forward has been a major disappointment. The 31-year-old is out on the sidelines now as well, having not been involved since February 19.
Hazard underwent surgery in late March to have an osteosynthesis plate removed from his ankle that had been causing him pain and infections. Having undergone the procedure, the former Chelsea superstar is currently on his rehabilitation plan.
And SPORT reports that Hazard is in the final stretch of his recovery and could be ready to rejoin the team in training by the end of this month. However, he might have to wait until May 11 to return to action when Real Madrid face Levante in La Liga.
The report further adds that despite his ordeals, Hazard is confident that he can hit the heights of his Chelsea days for the Spanish capital club and bounce back strongly before the season ends.
Real Madrid have plenty of games remaining in the season with them being involved in the UEFA Champions League. So, if they progress in the tournament, Ancelotti would likely decide to rotate for the La Liga matches, considering that they are close to winning the title.
So, Hazard could get some regular game-time in the backend of the season and he can stand to get a proper run-out and make a solid impression. By doing so, the Belgian could save his career at the Santiago Bernabeu, given as he still has two years on his contract.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho talks Carlos Espi, Diomande, Guler, Tchouameni, Atletico Madrid after Elche 2-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid found another way to win, but Jose Mourinho was hardly celebrating the manner of it.
Carlos Espi’s injury-time strike completed a 3-2 comeback against Elche, rescuing Madrid after they had surrendered control of a game that appeared to be in their hands.
For Mourinho, the result was welcome, but the performance raised a familiar concern.
“When everything seems easy and you let things slide, it’s dangerous. Then the team reacts and wins, but it’s not pleasant.
“The other good thing is that nobody gets bored with these matches. They’re fun,” he began saying.
Mourinho knows what is going wrong
The Portuguese coach was particularly frustrated by another drop in intensity after the interval.
Real Madrid had opportunities to put the game beyond Elche before allowing their advantage to disappear. Mourinho believes that pattern is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
“It seems obvious to me. It’s easy to understand. These are games that are all but over, where we have chances to seal the deal but don’t. After failing to do so, we go from having it easy to losing control.
“If we play poorly from the first minute to the 90th, the concern is huge.
“If we have periods where we’re at our best and others where we’re not proactive, just waiting, lacking intensity… Of course it’s a concern. But we won.”
The win keeps Madrid moving, but Mourinho’s concern is less about the points than the way his team is repeatedly making matches unnecessarily complicated.
Carlos Espi again provided the decisive moment from the bench, although Mourinho knows breaking into the starting XI will be difficult with Mbappé ahead of him.
“He’s a guy who works hard and is very motivated,” Mourinho said.
He then added, “He’s up against a player who’s in a league of his own (Mbappe), and we’re well aware of that.”
Madrid derby comes at a delicate moment
Next up is Atletico Madrid, and Mourinho’s attention is already turning towards the derby.
Rather than focusing on the opposition, he remains concerned about his own side’s ability to manage matches.
“The only explanation I can find is that we can’t keep going like this. We misjudged the opportunities we had, and once they score a goal, everything changes,” explained the Real Madrid coach.
Meanwhile, there were positives to take from individual performances, as Mourinho praised Yan Diomande’s development after another energetic outing.
“He’s improving. Physically, you can tell he has more minutes under his belt. He has a great work ethic and intelligence—he’s done a great job.”
Mourinho refuses to call Guler indispensable
Arda Guler’s importance was also questioned after another fantastic performance, but Mourinho rejected the idea that any player is beyond replacement.
“No, no one is indispensable. We were losing control when I made the substitutions; Vini did a great job on defence, but he was very tired.
“And Arda, who was playing in the number 10 position, was also losing intensity.
“I brought in a fresh Jude and Brahim when we were down 0-2, but I could sense we were losing control. That’s how it goes for us. And then, we brought in the heavy artillery and turned it around.”
Mourinho was also pleased with Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde during Madrid’s strongest spells.
“When the team was playing well, he and Valverde were playing well. They broke through the pressure easily, with skill.
“But the game had two phases—or rather three: one until it was 0–2, another until it was 2–2, and another until the end. They did a good job,” he concluded.
Source: AS
