Real Madrid Player Ratings for September: Take notice of Eden Hazard

FREE Eden Hazard

Though Eden Hazard only picked up two starts, he certainly made an impression in both matches in a “free” role, where he unselfishly created for his teammates. Because Hazard is in a new type of role, as compared to his more active one at Chelsea in his prime, he isn’t going to be the one scoring or assisting often. Maybe that will change as the season continues, but, right now, he is more of a linking piece. Therefore, you will hear the unintelligent engagement-grifters of Twitter dot com yell about how he is finished and rattle off bogus stats. Pay them no attention, though.

Hazard was one of the bright spots in the loss to Sheriff. He had six key passes against Valencia. Right now, this is the best Hazard has looked since the Fall of 2019, and, for the first time since then, I think Madridistas can have optimism about what he’s shown on the pitch.

Rating: 7.5

LW Vinicius Junior

Although Vinicius Junior was strangely quiet against Villarreal and Juan Foyth, of all players, the month of September was another positive one for August’s Player of the Month. Vinicius was one of the two matchwinners against Valencia, joining Karim Benzema with a late goal and assist in the late comeback at the Mestalla.

Then, Vini was the star man against Mallorca, even if Marco Asensio stole the headlines by being on the end of the moves with three goals.

Vinicius means everything to Real Madrid. How far the club goes this season can be partially determined by Vini, though, of course, the root determination will be made by Ancelotti’s adaptability and self-awareness.

Rating: 7.5

RW Rodrygo Goes

Rodrygo Goes did not do much right against Villarreal, but he was put in a bind since Carlo Ancelotti played Fede Valverde at right back. Not much happened on that flank for Los Blancos.

Better evaluation points for Rodrygo actually lie in his bench performances, including the game-winner against Inter Milan. There was also a solid performance in the XI against Mallorca, as he combined well with Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, and Marco Asensio in a free-flowing attack that led to six goals.

Opportunities won’t be easy to come by, but Rodrygo usually makes the most of them.

Rating: 7.0

CF Karim Benzema

We end the list with LaLiga’s MVP of the season thus far. Karim Benzema had another strong month for Real Madrid, and although he had two more average performances against Villarreal and Inter Milan when the team struggled to progress the ball and create, he was one of the few attackers who wasn’t outright bad in either of those matches.

Benzema is pretty much automatic in front of goal, even scoring against Sheriff in a game in which not much seemed to go right for Real Madrid. He was brilliant against Mallorca and Valencia, of course, with that bit of back-control against the recently-promoted LaLiga side standing out as one of the highlights of the league season for Los Blancos thus far.

Rating: 7.5