Real Madrid News
Real Madrid outcast uninterested in joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr
Eden Hazard has been the focal point of the transfer market lately, particularly in Saudi Arabia, with the forward being linked with a move to Al Nassr.
Having fallen out of favour at Santiago Bernabeu, the Belgian is expected to depart in the coming summer, especially with his contract expiring in 2024.
However, according to a recent report from The Athletic, Hazard’s future might not lie in Saudi Arabia. It appears Al Nassr do not have any plans to sign the former Chelsea superstar, which refutes earlier speculations linking him to a move to the Saudi giants.
Furthermore, it is also claimed that Hazard himself as no desire to join the Middle East outfit at this point.
The report goes on to suggest that Al Nassr currently have no plans to build a ‘super-team’. This comes in the midst of claims that the club are looking to attract more stars from Europe after securing the services of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this year.
The likes of Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos have been targeted as part of their reported plans to make Al Nassr one of the biggest clubs in Asian football and to promote Saudi Arabian football in general.
Hazard, to that end, could have been an excellent addition to the league. But as per the report, the Belgian himself has no desire to move to Saudi just yet. It appears the forward has not made a decision just yet.
However, one would expect Real Madrid to force the former Chelsea star into making a decision in the near future.
The player, after all, has faced major difficulties establishing himself as a first-team regular and with his contract expiring in 2024, the coming summer will represent Real Madrid’s only chance at offloading the player and receiving a transfer fee in exchange.
A lot will depend on the coming months as Real Madrid look to build the foundation of a future attack, which in turn, could involve the departure of existing stars.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
