Real Madrid outcast Eden Hazard in light of the uncertainties surrounding his future in the Spanish city has been upfront about his strained relationship with manager Carlo Ancelotti. In 2019, Los Blancos paid out an initial £89 million transfer fee to acquire Eden Hazard from Chelsea, with further add-ons potentially pushing the total to beyond £150 million.
However, Hazard has struggled to emulate his incredible Chelsea form at Real Madrid due to injuries and a lack of consistency. The 32-year-old Belgian winger has made just seven appearances for Real Madrid this season, and so far, has contributed only one goal and one assist.
Eden Hazard confirms broken ties with Real Madrid boss Ancelotti
The defending Spanish champions have Eden Hazard under contract until 2024, but are eager to move him in the summer as his contract is coming to an end. According to reports, the former Belgian international makes a massive £416,000 per week at Madrid, but his departure would free up the La Liga giants’ wage bill significantly for future signings.
Hazard , while speaking to RTBF (via Diario AS) insisted that he wants to remain at Real Madrid beyond this summer and that he wants to ‘prove that I can still do it’ at the highest level. The Real Madrid winger went on to claim that he ‘respects’ the Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti but that they are no longer on speaking terms on a professional level. Hazard said:
“I would like to stay. I’ve always said that. I hope to play and to show that I can still do it. People have doubts, that’s normal, I understand. But for me, I’m still here next year. You never know, but a transfer is not in my plan. There’s respect between Ancelotti and I. But I’m not going to say we talk to each other, because we don’t. But there will always be respect. I have to have respect [for] a guy like Ancelotti. For what he represents for football, and for what he’s done in his career.”
The 32-year-old, who announced his international retirement post the World Cup in Qatar added:
“I would like to stay. I’ve always said that. I hope to play and to show that I can still do it. People have doubts, that’s normal, I understand. But for me, I’m still here next year. You never know, but a transfer is not in my plan.”
Post the summer, Eden Hazard will have left 12 months on his Real Madrid contract, if all the Los Blancos are unable to ship him out. The former Chelsea winger is heavily tipped to follow in the footsteps of another Real Madrid great Gareth Bale, who joined MLS side Los Angeles FC on a free transfer last summer. A return to Stamford Bridge was also being speculated, but the new ownership of the Blues led by Todd Boehly is reportedly not interested in such a deal.