Carlo Ancelotti and Eden Hazard: A Candid Real Madrid Assessment
Carlo Ancelotti has often balanced authority with tact when addressing his squad. In public, he keeps a calm tone, guiding the team while avoiding harsh public judgments of individual players. With Eden Hazard, the Italian coach followed a similar approach for a long stretch, granting opportunities while refraining from sharp criticisms. Yet Hazard has not lived up to the high expectations tied to his signing, and Ancelotti has openly acknowledged the gap between what Hazard can deliver and the level Real Madrid seeks from its attackers. The coach’s recent remarks reflect a strain that has grown clearer as time has passed, especially in Belgium where Hazard remains a focal point of discussion about his club future.
✅ Our Call #GetafeRealMadrid! pic.twitter.com/YTW2Kw0jIn
– Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) 7 October 2022
Message to the Belgian
The charge from Ancelotti came during a press conference ahead of a Shakhtar Donetsk fixture. He spoke about how every player knows their standing and that explanations are due when requested. He noted that Hazard has not spoken to him about his situation, a decision he attributed to the presence of competition within the squad. The message was clear: the pathway for playing time is tied to performance, and Hazard is judged in the same framework as his teammates. Ancelotti’s straightforward style has always been part of his leadership, a method that blends accountability with encouragement.
Hazard remains a player of exceptional technical skill who has long been a fixture of the white locker room. Yet his drive and consistency have been questioned by many observers. This season he has logged limited minutes, turning up in just 148 minutes across competitive matches, including a single Champions League game and three league appearances. The larger context is a Madrid squad that rotates to manage fatigue and maintain momentum across a crowded schedule.
In the imminent match against Getafe, Madrid will be without Karim Benzema, who has not trained with the main group and is resting ahead of important fixtures in both domestic and European competition. Ancelotti explained that while Benzema’s absence creates a need for rotation, it also reflects prudence in managing the squad’s physical load. The manager noted that a player can be kept fresh if others shoulder the load, particularly when the calendar demands sharp, high-stress performance for big matches. The decision aligns with a broader rotation strategy implemented early in the season, where Hazard has found opportunities to contribute in some games while others have demanded more with the ball and more movement without it.
The coaching staff continues to explore how to maximize every piece of talent within a squad that features both seasoned veterans and younger options. Ancelotti has emphasized the importance of a collective approach rather than relying on a single identity. The emphasis is on pressing when the moment calls for it and building from a disciplined defense to control the tempo of play in others. In this view, Hazard could still be part of a larger plan if his performances align with the team’s evolving tactical needs. The coach’s comments about Getafe underscored the challenges of facing a well-organized opponent that defends deeply and transitions quickly, a scenario that tests Madrid’s flexibility and collective decision-making.
The overall tone from the Real Madrid camp remains focused on player development, squad depth, and strategic balance. Ancelotti’s philosophy stresses competition as a driver of improvement, a principle that has guided the club through periods of feast and famine alike. For Hazard, the road remains open, but the path is earned through consistent output, smart movement, and contributions to the group’s defensive and offensive balance. The upcoming clash against Getafe is framed not as a referendum on Hazard alone but as a test of how Madrid can harmonize talent and intensity over a demanding slate. If the team finds its rhythm, Hazard could still be a meaningful piece; if not, the coach’s message will continue to emphasize accountability and shared responsibility across the squad. The managerial approach remains pragmatic: win as a unit, adapt as needed, and trust the process to yield results in the near term. The manager’s stance, conveyed with his usual spontaneity, signals that no player is insulated from the realities of competition.