Hazard: I need to improve at Real
REAL Madrid forward Eden Hazard said he needed to improve to live up to his “Galactico” billing after a slow start to the season, having failed to score or assist for his new side.
The Belgian winger joined from Chelsea during the close season for ¤100million as the marquee signing in the club’s overhaul after a disastrous 2018-19 campaign.
Hazard is viewed as the replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo in Real’s side, with the team’s all-time top scorer departing for Juventus in the close season of 2018, and has inherited his No 7 shirt.
“I’m not a Galactico yet, I have to show that I can be one,” Hazard told reporters yesterday ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge. “We all know the history of the No 7 at this club and I want to show that I can be the best in the world. I want to give my all, not just in matches but in training too.”
After reports that he arrived for pre-season overweight, Hazard suffered a thigh injury on the eve of the season and could not make his Real debut until 14 September, in a 3-2 win over Levante. The 28-year-old has started three games since then, but been far from his best.
“I can do better, I’m critical of myself as well, but working every day we will change things,” he said.
“Not everything is perfect but we’re first in La Liga, we lost in Paris, maybe I was set back because of the injury but now I’m at 100 percent and hope to give my all in the coming games.
“Now I’m not injured and I just need to score goals, be decisive, do what everybody expects from me. When I start to score and get some good performances everything will be easier. I’m missing a goal or assist to start to turn things around.”
Real lost their opening Champions League match 3-0 at Paris St Germain and are looking to get back on track against Brugge at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight.