Why Eden Hazard would be the perfect signing to truly kick off the post-Ronaldo era at Real Madrid
When Santi Cazorlas headed equalizer hit the net in the 82nd minute at La Cermica on Thursday, all the headlines deservedly went in the little magicians direction, but visitors Real Madrid dropping points for an eighth time in 17 league games this season should also be treated with the importance it deserves.Their continuing stumble towards a battle for fourth place rather than the league title shows that a significant change is needed this summer to bring some excitement back to the Santiago Bernabu. No player is better placed to lead that change than Eden Hazard.
4Chelsea star Eden Hazard under the lightsWhen Cristiano Ronaldo left the Spanish capital in the summer without a Galctico-style replacement being brought in, a rare window of opportunity was created for others already on the books to step up and show that they could be the new superstars in the next incarnation of Madrid.Gareth Bale limping off at half-time with yet another injury on Thursday summed up how that process has gone. Add to that Isco falling out with Santiago Solari, dropping in and out of the team, and Marco Asensio waving the white flag before his fight for the spotlight had even started, and it is patently clear that new energy is needed.The names of the same few star forwards have tended to appear in Madrids orbit in recent years, but while links with and even the excitement over Neymar have both gone cold, and Kylian Mbapp has apparently decided he is better off in Paris (if Football Leaks is to be believed), the case for Hazard wearing a white shirt next season looks stronger than ever.
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4Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe is reportedly set to remain with the French clubThe Belgian has already made it clear, in public and on several occasions, that he would love a dream move to the Spanish capital. Combined with his continued refusal to sign a new contract with Chelsea, there is little doubt over the players hopes for the next development in his career.Hazards current club also have to be willing to make a move happen of course, and to state the obvious, Chelseas decision to secure Christian Pulisic – someone who can play in his position six months ahead of schedule – can be read as the Londoners preparing for the inevitable.
4Christian Pulisic paid tribute will join Chelsea in the summerFor Madrid there is little doubt that Hazard ticks many of the big boxes. A global name whose appeal in wide-reaching markets was only furthered by his part in Belgiums run to the World Cup semi-finals, he would bring the ever important volume of shirt sales and commercial benefits that help recoup transfer fees several times over.On the pitch, just as importantly, Hazard would be an ideal player to help Madrid restructure away from the remnants of a top-heavy system that has been left exposed without the extraordinary goalscoring presence of Ronaldo, and one that is suffering from a leggy, aging midfield. Though there is a feeling among some in Spain that Hazard cant play in the same team as Isco or Luka Modric because they all like to occupy similar positions on the pitch, with the Spain international likely on his way out, and the latter due to turn 34 next season, that dilemma may not be of any relevance by the time the summer is over anyway.
4Cristiano Ronaldo won the Champions League third consecutive times before leaving Real Madrid and has been missedWhat Hazard will not do though is replace the 50 goals a season that Ronaldo provided, year after year, and for the Belgians impact to be truly maximized, his signing would have to be one of many of significant quality.The prospect of him linking up with a younger, hungrier number nine than Karim Benzema, and exchanging possession with a sharp, rejuvenated Madrid midfield is tantalizing. Asking him to trudge through the mud and rely solely on his individual brilliance to conjure up wins with the current Los Blancos cast would however be a waste, as well as a sure-fire way of giving the player a mountain to climb with one of the most demanding groups of supporters in the world. Though a cup win or two could yet bring some welcomed joy to the Bernabu before the season is over, continued diminishing returns in the league following a third place finish last year make it clear that Madrid are in need of a major overhaul. Arguably, the most extensive one since the arrival of Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Benzema and many more in the summer of 2009. Hazard would be the perfect piece to build the rest of the puzzle around.
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