Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar opens up on lack of game-time: “It’s a delicate situation”
Real Madrid have got off to a blistering start to their season, winning nine out of nine games across all competitions. Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo have led the team’s charge and continue to score goals with ease.
However, one forward player who has got off to a rocky start this season is Eden Hazard. After all, that has been the story for the Belgian ever since he joined the club in 2019.
The player is currently on international duty with Belgium and spoke about his situation at Real Madrid during the camp. When quizzed about the topic, he did not hold back and openly spoke about how he wanted to play more minutes.
The ex-Chelsea forward also insisted that he deserved more game-time purely on merit and added that the situation was complicated.
“There have been difficult times because I want to play and I don’t play. I feel good at Real Madrid, I just play less. And when I play, I play well. It’s a delicate situation because I want to play more,” he said after Belgium’s victory over Wales (h/t MARCA).
Hazard has only participated in four of Real Madrid’s eight games this season and has started just one. In that duration, he has found the back of the net only once.
Needless to say, his lack of game-time at the club level is a serious concern for the Belgian national team, especially given that the World Cup is right around the corner.
“I want to scratch the maximum number of minutes and get to the World Cup in shape,” he added.
Hazard can turn his situation around with a good run of form in the coming weeks, but it will be anything but easy for the once-revered wing-wizard.
The story of Marco Asensio’s last twelve months at Real Madrid has been one of pitiable timing.
The Spanish winger was prepared to renew his deal with the club last summer and asked for improved terms in exchange for his loyalty. Real Madrid, at the time, felt his demands were ludicrous and broke down talks with the player.
Asensio was subsequently pushed down the pecking order and labelled a ‘contract rebel.’ The player was deeply affected by his situation as he played virtually no part in the team’s opening spell of the season.
Despite being pushed down, the Spaniard did not concede. Through his consistent performances when given the odd chance, he won Ancelotti’s trust back and finished the season with 30 league appearances under his belt.
Los Blancos now want to renew the star as his contract runs out in June. The manager sees him as an integral part of the setup, especially for his ability to come up clutch in front of goal. Ironically, Asensio does not wish to renew his contract this time around and appears set to leave.
According to reports from Fabrice Hawkins, Asensio is already in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a move in the summer. His transfer will be on a Bosman move given his contractual situation, and Real Madrid will have nothing to gain from the operation.
Asensio’s reluctance to sign a new deal in Madrid is not a consequence of the events of last summer. The Spaniard only wishes for a regular starting place in the lineup, something Real Madrid cannot guarantee at the moment while PSG can.
The Merengues have identified Brahim Diaz as a possible replacement for the departing 27-year-old and are already in the process of renewing the on-loan player’s deal. However, reports also state that Diaz wishes to continue at AC Milan and that Los Blancos will not force him to stay.
