“I’ll Be Judged On My Second Season”- Hazard Vows To Come Back Stronger
Eden Hazard has asked for his performances to be judged from next season following a frustrating debut campaign at Real Madrid.
Hazard joined Real Madrid in a big-money move from Chelsea in the summer but is yet to set the Santiago Bernabeu alight with the exceptional performances he is usually associated with.
The 29-year-old has scored just one goal and provided one assist from 15 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid this season.
Much of Hazard’s false start has been down to injuries that has seen him sidelined for long periods, including a three-month layoff between November and February.
While admitting his first season in the Spanish capital has not gone according to plan, Hazard has asked for a fair chance to show his true colours.
"My first season in Madrid has been bad, but it's not all bad, it's a season of adaptation," he explained in an interview with RTBF.
"I'll be judged on my second season. It's a great group of players, I've met a lot of new people. It's been a great experience for me.
"I've still got four years left on my contract and I hope to be in form."
Hazard’s latest injury towards the end of February was supposed to keep him out of action until the end of the season but he had hoped to be fit for the European Championship, which has been pushed back a year because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
"I'd hoped to be fit [for the Euros] so it's a bit disappointing that they've been postponed," Hazard added.
"I'd planned to play, the operation was a few weeks ago now.
"We'll all be a year older in 2021, which is a shame, but it'll allow me to be in form.
"I think it's probably hard for the fans because they want to watch an international tournament every summer, so it's hard for them.
"But I also think that there are priorities in life that mean it had to be cancelled. Footballers are like everyone else at the end of the day. It'll wait until next year."
