Eden Hazard is on holiday and has been pictured looking in less than perfect condition. This, of course, won’t be a huge shock to Chelsea fans who saw their star go through these stages over the years, only to then wow everyone on the pitch regardless.
In Madrid, it’s taken rather differently.
Following his big money move from Stamford Bridge, much was expected of the Belgium international. Whilst his season wasn’t a disaster, and Real Madrid won La Liga, it’s not unfair to say Hazard underwhelmed.
Thursday’s edition of Marca carries a column which insists the player must improve, and explains there’s been concerns at Madrid since the season ended. Those concerns are with the player’s right ankle, but also with his ‘general physical condition’ on return from vacation.
Marca’s article states that given a photograph published on social media this week, the concern ‘seems justified’.
It’s explained that whilst some injuries can’t be blamed on the footballer receiving them, being ‘overweight’ is entirely down to Hazard: ‘The problem is that he has not been in shape for more than a year and this is due both to the repeated injuries he has suffered and to his low self-demand.’
Hazard was ‘obviously overweight’ when he arrived from Chelsea, and that situation is the same again today, believes Carlos Carpio, who wrote the story. The expectation is that he must now replicate his best Chelsea form.
Scrutiny is greater nowhere than at Real Madrid, and Hazard should already know this is part of the territory, and the criticism will continue if he doesn’t start the season well.
