His move from Chelsea to Real Madrid in 2019 did not bring the 30-year-old Hazard what he and all football fans expected. The attacking midfielder was unable to break through several injuries among others.
But now that he’s fit, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t used him either. He can only enter occasionally. Martinez defends the Belgium captain: “Medically speaking, Hazard has been at his best since he was in Madrid, but he is sad when it comes to football. This is a very difficult situation for him. And the first time he went through this. That will be what was said about Hazard, but little is right.”
Hazard is still under contract with Real until 2024, but many will not see him at Royal after the new year or certainly after June 1. The Spanish coach is convinced that Hazard can turn things around: “He is a player who has always been at the forefront of project winners. Now he lacks that role.”
“But he is a footballer with exceptional talent and you will never be lost. You have to trust him”, Martinez gives advice to his Real teammate Ancelotti.
As a successful Spanish coach, his name was also mentioned from time to time with the sportingly struggling Barcelona. Martinez was clear on this: “But Barcelona never made me an offer.” “There are always a lot of rumours, but I focus on Belgium.”
Martinez was also asked what he thought of Barcelona’s latest signing Dani Alves (38), who played for Barcelona from 2008 to 2016. “I’m not surprised. At Barcelona it’s important to have a role model in the dressing room. And he chose Xavi Alves.”
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