Eden Hazard needs to have more trust in himself to return to his best level says Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The player in the spotlight:
Name: Eden Hazard
Age: 31
Country: Belgium
Hazard’s Real Madrid Stats in La Liga 2021/22
Goal:0
Assists: 1
Belgium forward Hazard started just his ninth game of the season in the 3-1 victory over Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, a match in which he and fellow forwards Rodrygo Goes and Mariano Diaz struggled for fluidity.
After that game, Ancelotti gave his backing to Hazard, who has struggled to consistently hit top form and been blighted by injuries since his big-money move from Chelsea in May 2019.
Carlo Ancelotti addresses the media Saturday’s home LaLiga clash with Valencia.
“His physical condition is quite good, he just needs to trust himself, to have more trust [in his ability],” Ancelotti said.
“I think he is close to his best level and we hope we can see it again, see his best matches again.”
Hazard’s lack of starts has also been affected by the supreme form of Vinicius Jr this season.
The Brazillian forward has 12 goals and seven assists from 25 appearances in all competitions this term, both higher than an expected goals and assists rate of 9.16 and 5.49 respectively.
He has also created 51 chances, four of which are defined as “big chances’ by Opta, with only two LaLiga players registered more across all competitions in 2020-21.
Ancelotti talked up the attacker’s talents but said it is wrong to suggest Madrid rely on Vinicius.
“Well I don’t think we depend on him, he has performed well in the first half of the season but not just him also [Karim] Benzema, [Eder] Militao,” Ancelotti added.
“I think we cannot focus on just one player. He’s been really important. He’s back, everyone is really happy about that.
“In one-on-one [situations] he’s important, also on the counter-attack. He’s been a regular player, scored a lot of goals, so he has given us a lot of things. If you give him some space he’s quite dangerous.”
What’s next for Real Madrid?
Following the Valencia game, Madrid travels to Saudi Arabia for the Supercopa de Espana, where they first face Barcelona in the semi-finals.
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