'Extraordinary' Hazard can be a revelation at Real Madrid, says Morientes

Posted Wednesday, September 04, 2019 by Goal.com

The Belgium international has been tipped to thrive at the Santiago Bernabeu by a former Real forward

Eden Hazard will prove to be a revelation at Real Madrid if he can translate his "extraordinary" Chelsea form to Spain, according to former Los Blancos striker Fernando Morientes.

After years of speculation, Hazard joined Real Madrid in the close season in a €100 million (£88m/$112m) deal, seemingly replacing Cristiano Ronaldo a year on from his departure for Juventus.

The 28-year-old arrives in the Spanish capital having scored 110 goals in 353 appearances for Chelsea, helping the London club win six major honours in seven years including two Premier League titles and two Europa Leagues.

The Belgium forward has not yet made his competitive Madrid debut due to a thigh injury but will be expected to lift a team that struggled last season and has started the new campaign in unconvincing fashion.

Zinedine Zidane's side opened the season with a win at Celta Vigo but have drawn their last two matches against Real Valladolid and Villarreal, with Hazard only able to watch on from the sidelines.

Former Madrid forward Morientes is certainly expecting a lot from Hazard, believing the club's latest 'Galactico' buy will be a big hit in his new surroundings.

"I believe [he can be a revelation], given the relation between price and what we saw last year," Morientes said at a La Liga event on Tuesday.

"It is true there were some Liverpool players who were at a spectacular level but, for me, Hazard was by far the [best] Premier League player. The fact he came to La Liga, I think he has been an extraordinary signing.

"It is not just because of the value added to our competition, but because he is player who created a lot of expectations.

"Many recognised players were supposed to come to Madrid but, at the end, Hazard is the most notable. Everyone expects he can keep last year's level, which was extraordinary."

Despite his injury, Hazard was initially named in the Belgium squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against San Marino and Scotland.

However, after joining up with Robert Martinez's squad and being assessed by team doctors he was quickly released from the squad along with his brother Thorgan, who has been struggling with a rib injury.