Real Madrid sent shockwaves around Europe when they completed the signing of Eden Hazard from Chelsea in the summer of 2019 for a fee of 160 million euros, despite the Belgian having just one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Los Blancos agreed to pay Chelsea in three instalments, sending 40m euros in 2019, followed by a second payment of 56m euros and finally a third cheque to the tune of 64m euros.

With this money, Chelsea have been able to construct a team that would go on to knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League, less than two years after Hazardmade the move to Spain.

The Premier League side signed Kai Havertz for 80m euros, Timo Werner for 53m euros and Edouard Mendy for 24m euros last summer, and all three played pivotal roles in Los Blancos‘ elimination on Wednesday night. 

In fact, the combined fees for these three players is still three million euros less than what Hazard has cost Real Madrid.

Hazard has struggled with injuries since arriving in the Spanish capital, picking up as many as 11 and missing 66 games as a result. In the 40 games he has played for Real Madrid, he has contributed just four goals and seven assists.

The frustrating part for Real Madrid is that they could have signed him for free a year later, in the summer of 2020. This would have allowed the club to use the money spent on his signing to strengthen other areas of the squad.

Furthermore, Hazard did not endear himself to Los Blancos‘ supporters after their Champions League exit to Chelsea, as he was seen joking around with some of the Blues’ players on the pitch.

Real Madrid fans do not only believe that Hazard has not played anywhere near his potential but they also think that he has not lived up to the No.7 shirt, which has been worn by legendary players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Gonzalez.

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