Why Eden Hazard won’t play for Real Madrid at Granada
The bad luck continues for Eden Hazard. He has not been a major player in the Real Madrid rotation over the past several weeks due to either injury or fears that too many minutes will overload the attacker’s muscles.
And now, Hazard does not have a shot at getting minutes against Granada this weekend. He will be out for Sunday’s match in La Liga at Los Carmenes.
The reason isn’t due to another injury, but rather illness.
Los Blancos’ manager Carlo Ancelotti told reporters at Saturday’s press conference before Matchday 14 that the attacking midfielder is suffering from gastroenteritis.
Before COVID-19, any kind of stomach issue was the most likely reason for a player missing a match due to illness, and Hazard is the latest victim.
Eden Hazard is running low on opportunities
He would not have started against Granada anyway with the form Vinicius Junior is in, but it would have been feasible for the Belgian to get another 15 minutes or so.
Unfortunately, that will not be the case for the ex-Chelsea superstar. Hazard is out on Sunday afternoon and will not get to benefit from facing a struggling Granada side that is closer to the relegation zone than European football, which was a destination they managed to reach recently.
With Hazard out, Vinicius will likely complete the full 90, unless if Ancelotti shuffles around the attack. We are waiting for more opportunities for Luka Jovic, and Isco is another player who has been on the periphery but can occupy similar positions to Hazard – albeit with more versatility due to his experience in midfield.
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Hopefully, Hazard can get well soon. Real Madrid have a Champions League match against Sheriff, and that could be another opportunity for the 100 million euro signing. With the winter transfer window on the horizon and rumors swirling, Hazard does not have many chances left to impress Ancelotti or even another club that would like to sign him on a loan deal or even an outright transfer. (Newcastle would come to mind in that circumstance.)