Fabio Capello says Eden Hazard's poor first season at Real Madrid is a result of the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the shirt.
Hazard signed for Madrid in a deal worth £130million from Chelsea last summer, after an outstanding final season at Stamford Bridge where he won the Europa League trophy.
But he has struggled this season with form and fitness, despite Zinedine Zidane's side winning the LaLiga title, yet former Madrid boss Capello has backed the Belgian to come back stronger next season.
'Of course, he hasn't been the same as he was at Chelsea,' former Madrid head coach Capello told Spanish outlet Marca.
'He has been injured for a long time, he has not adapted. I've always thought of him as a great player.
'But let's be clear, the Real Madrid shirt weighs a lot and Hazard has sunk this year. It is clear that next season will be much better.'
Hazard scored just once for his new club this season in LaLiga, also registering just three assists in 16 appearances.
The 29-year-old was out injured for four months after injuring his ankle against PSG in the Champions League in November.
His return to action was then pushed back by another three months due to the coronavirus outbreak, but he played his part as Madrid won 10 games on the trot to clinch the Spanish title in the restart.
He will hope to play a part next month too as Zidane's side attempt to overhaul a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Manchester City in the last-16 of the Champions League.
VinicíusJR7
1
Messi's left leg is better than all Madrid forwards combined 😂😂
Good point
buargeng
0
we need him to stay at Madrid
Showraj_Gurung
0
yeah! he is not adopted yet and got injured. we can just hope to see him doing good in UCL and coming season.
he'll be back stronger. take it from a chelsea fan.
Messi-goat10
0
Kind of like Messi in Argentina shirt.....
Messi's left leg is better than all Madrid forwards combined 😂😂
Messi-goat10
0
He's the best player and will surely bounce back cuz he's a chams
😂😂
Messi-goat10
1
He is just facking overrated, simple!!
very overrated..!!!
Messi-goat10
0
those of you insulting hazard laugh while you still can enjoy the joke of him being a flop because its all gonna end this season and madrid fans would have the last laugh
lol😂😂
dapmnoprt
0
yeah! he is not adopted yet and got injured. we can just hope to see him doing good in UCL and coming season.
Chipman
0
He must go back I missed him a lot
AbubakarTalib
1
Weight mattet
Habcilprsy
1
He did very well in his first season at RM, he was unfairly tackled every time he gets the ball, hence his many injuries. Next season he will be the player of the year in Spain, if nobody breaks his leg
Meebkmpt
0
Be back sronger
burnakush
0
money wasted he wont make it mark my word
just like sancho wont make when you finally waste money and buy him for 100million plus he would have an acl injury thay would sideline him for 5years
burnakush
0
those of you insulting hazard laugh while you still can enjoy the joke of him being a flop because its all gonna end this season and madrid fans would have the last laugh
Puscmotyz
3
all day long he's a flop
Kumbeklmoz
0
I'm hazard fan honestly speaking his time have expired
BensenBrenden
3
money wasted he wont make it mark my word
Yuri_Q
0
That's what they say about Alexis Sanchez as well[Crylaugh]
Athuljr
3
It was his own BODYWEIGHT affected his perfomance in the beginning , NOT the WEIGHT of REALMADRID SHIRT😃😃
Pozacest
0
The best players of their respective clubs before moving to Real Madrid and Barcelona were totally flop. For example, Countinho, Osman Demble, Eden Hazard , Griesmann, Jovic, etc. They have all failed to live up to their old performances. So none should go to those big clubs where his careers will be ruined. The market value of players have come down. Barcelona spent 140 million for Coutinho. Now his market value is less than 70. The same is the case with Osman Demble. So Pogba must stay in Manchester United by renewing his contract for another 4/5 years.
puru_1022
4
This is not because of the burden of Madrid shirt this is because of the burden of number seven which was once worn by a GOAT 7️⃣
IbrahimKakande
2
The shirt is not the problem. It is the number 7. That's the problem. Taking the shirt number worn by great players such as Figo, Raul, Ronaldo is just too big a responsibility! However, Hazard will be much better next season!
Jebat_890
0
Real Madrid shirt weighs a lot or the number thats on hazard shirt..[Comeon][Comeon][Comeon]
Huuadlmnuy
2
premier.league
Hekdnosyz
0
Those who are saying he will be back next season do u even know how old he will be next season? The time to perform and tick was now, that's how good players go bad due to some very power decisions they make in life and some examples are Antion Griezman, Philip coutinhio, Luke jovic and the list goes on, the time is up for Hazard, his now in the book of worst buys and flops[Crylaugh]
Williampandeki
1
lost son,we Will be happy.
sudaklnst
1
real Madrid win man City by the grace of God I
joekesh30
1
I think we should wait for his performance next season and see how far he can go
❤Ràshnîc❤
0
He is just facking overrated, simple!!
What?! 😂
Rastafari1-9
1
He is just facking overrated, simple!!
foreverred
0
nah he was just injured and little unfit, i hope he gets fit for ucl as it is always fun watching him play
bichooo
3
Remember the"curse" ronaldo left in United no 7...he also left it at madrid
❤Ràshnîc❤
1
He's the best player and will surely bounce back cuz he's a chams
Wrldman
0
in chelsea "hazard and in barca messi" are same , can't perform outside the area.
kayapeople
0
Like man u 7 shirt still the same.
sahbdnoptu
4
wearing CR7 no 7 shirt is the same as carrying the burden of 50 goals every season
Dzulfazli
0
Come back to Chelsea Hazard will be better there[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]