Courtois says 'we cannot kill Eden Hazard by making him believe he is average'

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said forward Eden Hazard still wants to succeed at the club despite being hampered by injuries and poor form since arriving in 2019.

Belgium international Hazard, 30, joined Real Madrid from Chelsea for a reported £89million plus bonuses in 2019.

But he failed to have the same impact at the Bernabeu as he did at Stamford Bridge as his LaLiga career has been hindered by injury.

The forward scored just four goals in 21 appearances in all competitions last season and has yet to find the net this campaign, having played 11 times so far. As a result he has lost his spot in the starting XI and has been linked with a move away.

Carlo Ancelotti appears open to letting the forward leave and is adamant that he will be free to go should he want to.

The Madrid boss, who returned for his second stint at the club in summer, gave a damning indictment of Hazard's prospects at the Bernabeu.

He said that the Belgian must accept the fact he has slipped down the pecking order and admitted he preferred other players.

Hazard has not started a game since their shock 2-1 Champions League home loss to Sheriff Tiraspol in September and was not included in the squad for Wednesday's return match in Moldova.

But countryman and Madrid team-mate Courtois defended Hazard, insisting it is not easy for him to return to top form after injury.

'I have known Eden for a long time and know that his dream was to play for Real Madrid. It's a shame it hasn't worked out yet as everyone would like it to,' Courtois said.

'I can see that he has got the desire, joy and he wants to help the team. He is looking to improve. It's not easy to take back your best form when you haven't played for the last two and a half years.

'He has showed in his entire career he is one of the best players in the world. He hasn't been able to show it lately, but that talent is not gone and I am sure he will get back, so we cannot kill him believing he is an average player because he is not.'

Real Madrid top Champions League Group D with nine points from four games, two points ahead of Inter Milan with Sheriff a point further back in third.