Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti: 'Eden Hazard understands his situation at Real Madrid'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 04 October 2022

Ancelotti: 'Hazard understands his situation at Real Madrid'

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insists that Eden Hazard "knows the situation" at Bernabeu despite recent comments from the attacker.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Eden Hazard "knows the situation" at Bernabeu.

Speaking on international duty with Belgium towards the end of September, the experienced attacker admitted his frustration with his lack of playing time at club level this term.

"When I play, I give it my all. It's a delicate situation at Real Madrid. I feel like playing more, but I can't do more," Hazard told RTL. "I've always said the old Eden Hazard will come back when he plays. I just need to get back into the rhythm.

"I know what I can do when I play. I want to scratch the maximum number of minutes and get to the World Cup in shape."

The 31-year-old has been restricted to just 98 minutes of La Liga football this season, but he has scored once and provided one assist in one Champions League appearance.

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard pictured in March 2022 © Reuters

Hazard is down the pecking order when it comes to the positions in the final third of the field, with Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde the first-choice front three, while Rodrygo has also started the season in strong form, scoring three times and registering two assists in eight appearances.

Ancelotti was asked about the Belgian's comments ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, and the Italian said that he had not had a conversation with the attacker since the latest quotes as Hazard "knows the situation".

"Eden hasn't had to speak to me because he knows the situation, that there's a lot of competition. I think his situation is quite clear," Ancelotti told reporters during his press conference on Tuesday.

Hazard made the move to Bernabeu from Chelsea in July 2019, signing a six-year contract with the Spanish giants in what was a high-profile move.

However, he has found it difficult to show his best form for Los Blancos, only managing seven goals and 11 assists in 70 appearances in all competitions.

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard in action with Elche's Johan Mojica on January 22, 2022 © Reuters

"The coach knows that I still have two years here," Hazard told Het Laatste Nieuws towards the end of last season. "The first three years have not gone well. I want to show everyone what I can do.

"I'm still in my dream, I've always dreamed of this. My life goal has been to play here. My family has always been happy here, [and] even now they are."

The Belgian missed a lot of football in the latter stages of last season, having undergone surgery to remove an osteosynthesis plate in his right fibula.

Hazard has been injury-free in the early stages of this term but has only featured in one of his side's last five league games, failing to play a minute in the last two against Atletico Madrid and Osasuna.

The forward managed 110 goals and 92 assists in 352 appearances for Chelsea, while he scored 50 goals and registered 53 assists in 194 games for Lille ahead of a switch to Stamford Bridge.