Zidane opens up on criticisms against Eden Hazard over his dismal start at Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has dismissed criticisms against Eden Hazard over his form at Bernabeu and drew parallels to his own playing career.

Hazard spent over a year trying to engineer a move from Chelsea to the Bernabeu with the hope of shining in Spain and cementing his place as one of the world’s best players.

The Frenchman explained how adapting to a new elite club is not easy and highlighted his own lack of form during his early days at both Juventus and Madrid.

Hazard has been starting for Los Blancos in an attacking front three which has also included the in-form Karim Benzema along with Gareth Bale, report Football Espana.

But some Real fans have started to turn on him, questioning whether the Belgium star is good enough to warrant a place in the side.

“The same thing happened to me as what has happened to Hazard, but in the end the player is very calm as I was because I knew it would work in time,” Zidane stated, as cited by Cadena Cope.

“It was worse when I arrived in Italy because it took me three months. In Madrid a little less, but at this club everything is magnified.

“With Hazard it is the same. I know that he will succeed in Real Madrid, we know the player he is and for us the most important thing is to have peace of mind to accompany him.

“Underperforming Hazard? It has nothing to do with his physical aspect at all, it is much about the team as any individual – we need to be more creative but I am not worried, we need to be calm because we are on the right path.

“My advice to him? The tips are not to tell him how to play because we know the important player that he is for us.

“He knows we want more from him but we have to be calm, I’m not worried because I know he is one who is going to succeed here and is going to be very good.

“You have to be calm because of how good he is, that is not going to change. We need more and he does too, but we will see him quickly and if tomorrow is better.”