Spanish Marca follows Hazard at European Championships with suspicion: “Eden does not meet his standard” | Red Devils

576 days, that’s how long it was on Monday since Eden Hazard was on the field for another 90 minutes. Understandably that was also news in Spain: at Real last season he played in pieces and chunks barely 886 minutes and his injuries and poor fitness level remained a constant theme. Siguero saw Hazard play against Finland and made a spirited article about it, critical and nostalgic for the best Hazard: “Perhaps it was utopia to believe that Hazard would lead the post-Cristiano era,” writes Siguero.

Siguero gives his opinion about Hazard against Finland to Het Laatste Nieuws: “I thought he was far from his best form or level at the 2018 World Cup. The best Hazard plays aggressively, can dribble, infiltrate and score. Against Finland I found him cautious or timid, as if he didn’t want to take any chances. Although that is a bit normal because of his ankle.”

Sigereo wonders if Hazard will ever be the same again. “It is difficult to predict. If he himself says that after three fractures his ankle will no longer be the way it was before, then the rest of the world certainly doesn’t know. The doubts about his fitness and future are great.” Also at Real, believes Sigueros. “When you see the strongest teams like Bayern and Chelsea now with their tempo football and physically strong players, I don’t know if Hazard still has his place in the absolute European top.” A pity, because Siguero thinks Hazard is a great football player: “Talent remains the most important thing. Before he signed with Real, the hierarchy at one point was like this: Messi on one, Ronaldo on two and Hazard on three. Hazard will no longer meet this standard.”