La Liga Rumors: Hazard Opts to Save Self For Next Season

Eden Hazard is back with his Real Madrid teammates after undergoing surgery last March to repair a fracture in the fibula of his right foot. Initially, it seemed to appear that the Belgian would be good to go when the season restarts on June 12. This was the target date set by league president Javier Tebas.

Hazard mentioned in a post via the team's official website that he feels good to be back working with his teammates. However, it appears he is far from ready to resume playing again, stressing that he still needs to do more physical and ball work. His cautiousness is understandable considering his first season with Los Blancos.

Having played scarcely, Hazard managed only one goal in his maiden year with Real Madrid. Injuries have plagued the Belgian this season. Hazard dealth with ankle, hamstring and foot injuries in his maiden season with Los Blancos. It was these injuries that limited him to just 15 appearances across all competitions. Regardless, Hazard knows that this is an adaptation phase. Judgment on whether he was a good addition or not will be in his second year. This was discussed in detail in a previous post.

Hazard admits that his first season with Los Blancos is not entirely bad. He knows it is a season of adaptation. However, things will be different next season where he needs to prove he is worth the investment. Real Madrid got Hazard for about $112 million from Chelsea and officials want to see results from that hefty investment.

Before getting injured once more, Hazard has a superb showing when Real Madrid played Barcelona in February. He played for 70 minutes in that match, logging heavy minutes which caught onlookers by surprise. Hazard had just recovered from an injury, and it was a risky move on the part of Zinedine Zidane.

Hence, the lull caused by the COVID-19 helped Hazard recover after going under the knife but the midfielder is taking no chances. Though he could be an asset to Los Blancos once the season returns, he prefers to wait to make sure that he is ready to go is a good move instead of rush it, ending up with another injury. Real Madrid is second in the La Liga table, two points behind Barcelona.