Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 8:05 PM• Jonathan van Haaster

Eden Hazard is certainly not in the happiest phase of his career. The former Player of the Year in the Premier League is barely in the plans of coach Carlo Ancelotti and will not play on Sunday. Hazard has sustained an injury to his right ankle.

Hazard came from Chelsea in the summer of 2019 for no less than 115 million euros. At the London club, the wing attacker was one of the stars almost every week. His dream transfer to Real followed in 2019, where he never managed to reach his old level. Hazard has carried the shit of the capitals 76 times to date and was good for 7 hits and 12 assists. In addition, his period in Spain is characterized by injuries. Including his most recent ankle injury, it is already the nineteenth injury he has suffered since coming to Madrid.

Real took on Getafe last Saturday between the matches against Manchester City in the Champions League. Ancelotti decided to send a B team into the field with a view to the return against City and then still had a starting place for Hazard. It was only the fourth starting place of the season for Hazard, who even if he is fit hardly appears in Ancelotti’s plans. So he doesn’t have to make the trip to Valencia. For Real, apart from the battle for second place, nothing is at stake anymore. Justin Kluivert’s Valencia can use the points well in the fight against relegation.

Hazard still has a contract until mid-2024. After the Copa del Rey final won against Osasuna (2-1), Hazard made the opposite Cadena COPE clear that he wants to serve that commitment. “Of course”, the 126-time international answered whether he also wants to be under contract with Real next season. “I want to play, but I know it’s hard. I have to work hard and hope to play more.” In addition, Hazard indicated that he has a good relationship with Ancelotti, despite the fact that the Italian has few playing minutes for him. In addition to Hazard, Mariano Díaz has also been injured. The striker is struggling with a muscle injury and will not travel to Valencia either.