Real Madrid's Hazard sends out warning to the rest of La Liga
Cameron Smith
- 31 May 2022 16:57 BST
- 3 min read
Eden Hazard has issued a warning to the rest of La Liga following confirmation he will stay at Real Madrid next season.
The Belgian forward arrived at Santiago Bernabeu with high expectations following his club-record move from Chelsea, but injury problems have plagued his time at the club.
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The transfer was seen as a dream by the player, who has supported Los Blancos growing up, but it hasn't worked out. He has scored just four La Liga goals for the club and failed to net once in 18 appearances in the league during the 2021/22 season. Of those 18 appearances, however, only seven were starts.
The form of Vinicius Junior and the impact of both Marco Asensio and Rodrygo saw the minutes available to Hazard, and fellow injury-stricken star Gareth Bale, drop significantly.
Fede Valverde's inclusion as a right-sided forward in big Champions League ties further dropped Hazard down the pecking order.
However, he is determined to prove himself at Real Madrid, starting next season. Although concerns grew that he may leave the club, Hazard and Carlo Ancelotti have confirmed he will stay in Madrid next campaign, and the player is ready to finally become a key part of the side.
What has Hazard said?
With Real Madrid failing to sign Kylian Mbappe, there is still space for Hazard in Los Blancos' attacking roster and he believes it's his time to shine. According to Fabrizio Romano, Hazard has said: "I’m sure that next year will be mine, I have no doubts."
Although competition with Vinicius Junior may appear to be blocking Hazard's path to a return to the starting XI, Hazard is evidently confident to stamp his authority on the Real Madrid side and La Liga.
Now free from injury following his ankle plate removal surgery, Hazard looked to be moving freely in a cameo against Cadiz towards the end of the season and is primed to finally step up for Los Blancos.
His form at Chelsea now seems a lifetime ago, but if Hazard can remain fit and keep the mindset he currently holds, there's no reason why he can't get close to the player who contributed over 30 Premier League goals during his final season in the division.
