Real Madrid signed Eden Hazard for 100 million euros and have high hopes for him, but they won’t hand him opportunities either.
Although there is no such thing as a meritocracy in football, Real Madrid aren’t in the business of handing starts to players who aren’t performing at their best. Even if the reason for their lack of production is injury, Real will be patient with their players, but they won’t start them at someone else’s expense if they aren’t at their best.
Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Marcelo, and other experienced Madrid players didn’t feature as frequently in 2019-2020 because they either underperformed or were outplayed by a younger player. Bale and James are now on the way out in the 2020 summer transfer window, because Los Blancos aren’t in the business of paying wages to players who aren’t good enough to start.
Eden Hazard isn’t at risk of being sold, nor is he a problem for Real Madrid. Los Blancos had to have been elated with how he played in October and November before his first injury against PSG, as he looked exceptional after settling into a rhythm at the Bernabeu.
But Hazard won’t be handed starts on a silver platter. Zinedine Zidane and the club will give the Belgian superstar every opportunity to excel. They know what he is capable. More importantly, they have seen first hand what he is capable of, looking back at his two matches against Eibar and his dream display over Real Sociedad.
Eden Hazard must earn his spot at Real Madrid each week
That said, Hazard has to be fit to start. This condition is the first that must be satisfied in order for Hazard to play. There is absolutely no sense in risking anything with a player of Hazard’s cost and caliber, and Real Madrid learned that lesson the hard way against Manchester City when the Belgian struggled through more ankle woes.
But secondly, he must be the best option. Hazard is the most tried-and-true left winger on Real Madrid and a class above the rest of his teammates. The FIFA 20 cover star is a special player, and anyone who has watched the Premier League over the last decade will back this point up.
Los Blancos, though, have two players who can become special on the left wing in Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes. Vinicius showed he can play against the world’s best, creating a winning goal against Atletico Madrid, destroying Barcelona in El Clasico, and assisting the lone goal in the first game against Manchester City.
Rodrygo did the same against City in the second leg, and he also had a perfect hat-trick in the Champions League. On his debut, in the same game Vinicius scored a lovely curling opener, Rodrgyo scored the second-fastest debut goal in Real Madrid history.
Vinicius and Rodrygo will be chomping at the bit. They are ever-present and ready to pick up the mantle if Eden Hazard falters. If Hazard isn’t playing up to his standard, if he’s hurt, then Real Madrid have two young, hungry options who can become La Liga’s best. They aren’t too far off from becoming La Liga’s best, and every minute counts magnitudes for their development.
Heading into 2020-2021, Hazard is Real’s starter on the left. But it’s a status that won’t be handed to him either. He must prove he is the starter each and every week, because Los Blancos aren’t beholden to giving him 90 minutes each week. They have options.