Eden Hazard is out of Real Madrid’s normal starting lineup and is putting in additional effort to keep fit, according to Belgium manager Roberto Martinez. The former Chelsea winger has battled with form and injury since moving from Stamford Bridge to the Bernabeu in 2019, and this season he has fallen down the pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti, who has favoured Vinicius Junior in his place.
So far this season, Hazard has only started four La Liga games, but Martinez claims that he is not causing concern within the national football team. “It’s an unusual situation. We hoped it wouldn’t go like this,” he told HLN football news. “But this is football. I have seen that he is medically well. He is completely in form.”
“We have a good relationship with Real Madrid. We know that he does extra work to maintain the best form possible. Eden wants to do as much as possible to reach his highest level.” Belgium national team captain Eden Hazard has been named to the squad for the next World Cup qualifiers. Belgium currently leads Group E by five points, with games against Estonia and Wales looming.
Martinez added: “This international period is a chance to play. It’s not an ideal situation. But it won’t worry us until Eden stops enjoying football. At the moment, it is not the case. I think he can end the season strongly.”
