Real Madrid News
Zinedine Zidane speaks about Real Madrid’s €150 million flop: ‘Sadly he had physical setbacks’
Real Madrid’s period under Zinedine Zidane was golden in both the stints when the club legend arrived as a first-team manager, but his second stint was more impressive given the squad he had at his disposal and how it was half in rebuild.
One player the coach constantly admired during his time at the club was Eden Hazard, who signed for a fee of up to €150 million, and he even placed the Belgian star as his top transfer target for his new project when he returned in 2019 for his second stint at the club.
The player eventually arrived just months into Zidane’s second spell and was seen as the player who could replace Cristiano Ronaldo in the attack. From the very start, however, Hazard struggled to adapt and never really got going at the club.
There were some highs Zidane and Hazard enjoyed together, including the 2019-20 La Liga title, but the coach eventually left at the end of the 2020-21 season and Hazard made his exit after two more miserable years under Carlo Ancelotti.
Zidane speaks on the player
Speaking to the media in a recent interaction, former Real Madrid coach and current Les Bleus manager Zinedine Zidane recounted the signing of Eden Hazard for Real Madrid and how the transfer ended up failing.
The Belgian star, after all, arrived amid massive expectations but failed to even remotely come close to his best at any point during his stint at the club.
Zidane extended support to Hazard and backed him despite his rough spell at Real Madrid via Football.fr, saying,
“I think me and Eden Hazard are pretty close. He is a charming guy.”
“I would’ve liked for him to do more, after what he did at Chelsea, but sadly he had physical setbacks,” he added.
Speaking further on how physical setbacks, injuries and poor fitness all ended up being hurdles for the player to succeed in Spain, the club legend said,
“Because of physical issues, Eden Hazard could not give what he wanted to give [at Real Madrid].”
“But in any case, I have good memories of him. Memories of his as a player and a person,” he added.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar returns from the break in top form after stellar displays with national team
Jude Bellingham has been undisputedly one of the star performers in the UEFA Nations League so far, in this international break.
Bellingham started with a valiant effort in the defeat to Spain, before starring in the 7-0 win over Croatia. Last night, he was on fire once again, helping England secure a 3-0 victory over Czechia.
As club football resumes this weekend, it is fair to say that Bellingham will be one of the most in-form players at Real Madrid.
Bellingham on fire
Bellingham’s spectacular form has continued throughout the international break, with the midfielder registering one goal and four assists in four matches for England.
The standout display came against Croatia, where he produced a goal and three assists in the emphatic 7-0 win.
He made England history with that four-goal contribution, creating five chances and completing four dribbles while boasting a 100 percent pass accuracy.
Against Spain, he was comfortably England’s best player, assisting Anthony Gordon’s opener and leading the attacks.
In the final game against the Czech Republic, it was Harry Kane who stole the show with a brace on his record-equalling 125th cap, but Bellingham once again started as an undisputed figure in Tuchel’s side.
The Englishman has shown no signs of his form being a mirage, having rediscovered his best since being handed a free attacking role.
A key figure for Real Madrid
Bellingham’s resurgence is a hugely positive sign for Real Madrid, who have struggled for consistency this season.
Operating as a number 10 with freedom to roam, the 22-year-old has already scored three goals for the club, making him the second-highest scorer behind Kylian Mbappe, while also leading the team for assists.
His current scoring rate of one every 206 minutes is not far off his brilliant debut campaign.
That form has drawn widespread praise, with Roy Keane tipping him to become one of the greatest of all time, while Jermaine Defoe backed him to become England’s next captain.
For Jose Mourinho, having Bellingham firing on all cylinders is a massive boost. With a demanding run of fixtures ahead, including El Clasico, the Englishman’s leadership and quality could prove decisive as Real Madrid look to close the gap on Barcelona.
