3 Real Madrid players who must step up after Mbappe’s failed transfer

2) Eden Hazard

As mentioned with Vinicius Junior, Eden Hazard has already seemingly fallen down the pecking order under Ancelotti. However, he’ll definitely get many more chances to impress during the season but his road ahead is paved with a lot more obstacles than others in the squad.

Arriving as the “Mbappe” a couple years ago, it’s an understatement to say that Hazard has not lived up to expectations. His Real Madrid career has been full of injuries and weight problems but he can consider himself lucky as he gets another opportunity to make things right.

This is arguably about to be one of Hazard’s most important years during his career and he has no option but to make the best of it. He has already fallen behind Vinicius but things will change and he does have Ancelotti’s trust. Can he keep it? Only time will tell.

If Mbappe were to arrive today, Hazard would’ve had no place in the starting line-up. He will need that to change and he has this whole season to show it. Regardless of how he does, Los Blancos will make a move for Mbappe if the Frenchman doesn’t renew with PSG before January 1. But, Hazard will need to prove that he has what it takes to fight for minutes in the upcoming campaign.