Real Madrid: Hazard is slowly showing us what all he’s capable of

There’s this thing with Eden Hazard and his style of play. All of it doesn’t translate simply into goals and assists. Well, that goes for every footballer in the world, but it’s especially the case for Eden Hazard. We saw it first hand during the Belgian’s first season with Real Madrid, particularly at the very start. He was doing so well: Creating chances, dribbling past opponents easily, creating space for others and causing chaos in the final third.

But, ever since that game against PSG two, that hasn’t happened all that often. Hazard hasn’t been the same player since, and after countless injuries, one after the other over the span of more than two seasons, Real Madrid fans were finally ready to admit that they’ve lost all hope for Eden Hazard to be successful in Madrid.

Now, look, I’m pretty optimistic when it comes to football. But even I had lost hope. I just didn’t think it would work at a club like Real Madrid, where you need consistency in both fitness and in performance to have a shot at success. Hazard had neither of the two, so it made a lot of sense for everyone to just think about other players that are performing well.

This season, people have been talking about Hazard’s improvement as a player. They’re liking what Hazard has been doing in the minutes he’s been given. But, at the start of the season, I really wasn’t all that impressed. I thought he was OK, decent, but I have seen Hazard play amazingly, and I know it when I see it.

He, for the most part, hasn’t looked remotely close to the player that became one of my favorites during his time at Chelsea, which made me want him at Madrid. Of course, the stats state otherwise, and I won’t deny that. It still wasn’t the real Hazard. I really thought that version of him no longer existed.

All that changed after the Valencia game, and it has only gotten better.

Hazard has looked a little bit like his older self in the last two starts with Real Madrid

Hazard, in his last two starts for Real Madrid, has finally looked somewhat like his past self. He’s been creating chances, dribbling past players, taking shots, and doing basic Hazard stuff. But there’s been something different about these two games. It’s not just statistics. He has looked good on the literal eye test.

But of course, statistics matter a lot, and the things that the Belgian has done are worth noting. In the game against Valencia, Eden Hazard had eight shot-creating actions, five key passes, and three dribbles completed. Those are great numbers. For Hazard, stuff like that was routine at Chelsea.

So, I paid close attention to what Hazard was doing on the field against Sheriff on Tuesday. I think it’s fair to say that he looked even better. The stats were pretty similar to the last game, eight shot creating actions, two dribbles completed and four key passes. But on a simple eye test alone, Hazard looked better. He dribbled better, turned better and just showed improvement in all aspects of the game. All he really needs is goals and assists, the rest he is already doing.

Given Real Madrid’s state before the Espanyol game, I really think Hazard is a good choice as a third attacker besides Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema.

I’m not saying that Hazard is suddenly back to his best. This is not even close to that level, but it felt like a pretty great game from the Belgian. I think he’ll improve even more this season, as he gets closer and closer to regaining full match fitness. It’ll take a little while, but granted that he stays fit, I think we would be able to see the true havoc that Hazard can wreak.