My first season with Real Madrid has been bad: Hazard
Belgian international Eden Hazard has said his debut season at Real Madrid has been "bad" as he continues his recovery from surgery. Hazard, who moved from Chelsea in the summer of 2019, made just nine league starts in 2019-20, scoring once. Looking back at what he went through, the player feels he will be judged next season. Here's more.
The former Chelsea legend suffered a major injury layoff of nearly three months after suffering a micro-fracture in his right ankle back in November. The forward then limped off in a defeat against Levante in La Liga last month. Tests confirmed Hazard was diagnosed with a fracture to his right distal fibula. He is now recovering from the surgery in Madrid.
Earlier in June 2019, Real went on to sign Hazard from Chelsea for a whopping £89m. The fee was expected to rise further and exceed £150m. Hazard, who signed a five-year contract, was expected to take La Liga by storm. He scored 110 goals in 352 games for Chelsea after joining from Lille in 2012. Hazard won a host of trophies as well.
The Belgian summed up his first season at the Spanish club. "My first season at Real has been bad," Hazard told Belgian national broadcaster RTBF. "But you don't throw everything away. It was a season of adaptation. I will be judged on my second season. It is up to me to be in good shape next year."
With the coronavirus pandemic bringing life to a standstill across the globe, Hazard shared his views. "I'm waiting. I spoke to [Real Madrid coach Zinedine] Zidane on the phone, he doesn't know either. All we can do is keep fit. Will La Liga restart? We don't know. If we don't, everyone will be disappointed, but that's how it is," the player said.
