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The summer transfer window produced quite a few interesting highlights. European powerhouses went all out - splashing astronomical figures to acquire their desired superstars. Spanish giants Real Madrid emerged as one of the top spenders of the window.
Los Blancos dominated the headlines when they secured a deal for their long-term target, Eden Hazard. The Belgian eventually earned his dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu as Chelsea finally decided to accept €100 million to part ways with him.
As expected with a player of his calibre, many expected him to run riot in the Spanish capital. However, 14 games have been played in the LaLiga so far - five in the UEFA Champions League - and Hazard is nowhere near the level people expected him to play at.
The playmaker has recorded a solitary goal to his name so far this season. A player that many expected to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in Los Blancos' attack, Hazard is yet to light up the Santiago Bernabeu.
Below, we discuss three factors behind his slow start to life in the Spanish capital:
#3 Right move, wrong time?
There's no doubt Real Madrid remains one of the greatest football clubs in the world. Eden Hazard's decision to join the Spanish giants makes sense from many perspectives. But, if we take a closer look at the move, it appears he got the timing wrong.
Hazard joined Los Blancos at a period when the club is struggling for balance. Madrid endured a poor outing last season at both the domestic level and in the Champions League. Even the return of Zinedine Zidane couldn't rescue them from embarrassment.
With what we've witnessed so far this term, it doesn't look like they are over their struggles yet. Zinedine Zidane's men have failed to clear the doubts with their performances. They were humiliated 3-0 by PSG this season and have produced a lot of unconvincing displays in recent weeks.
Also check out: La Liga La Liga fixtures La liga table 2019-20
#2 Injury crisis
Given his tremendous talent and incredible level of performances during his time with Chelsea, it is normal for Real Madrid fans to expect Hazard to light up the Santiago Bernabeu. The Belgian also promised to step up and give his best for the club, but injuries have played a hindering role in his case.
Hazard encountered injury problems in the Spanish top-flight even before his Real Madrid career got underway. The attacker injured his thigh during a training session ahead of the season and was ruled out of action for a month.
He missed Los Blancos' first three games in the LaLiga and only returned a few weeks ago to face Villarreal. Ever since then, he hasn't reached his full fitness level and that has been having telling impacts on his performances for the club.
It even got worse with his latest injury setback that is set to keep him from featuring against FC Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season.
#1 Adaptation struggles
One of the major challenges footballers face when they join new clubs is switching their roles and styles of play to fit into the systems utilised by their new teams.
Hazard is surely taking his time at Real Madrid. The playmaker is still struggling with adaptation issues at Santiago Bernabeu. He is yet to fully gel with the team, just as we've witnessed so far where he has been left deserted during many of his appearances for the Spanish giants.
Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane recently said that the Belgian needs to learn some little things to progress at the club. Until he acquires these little details and forges a decent understanding with his teammates on the field, it would be very difficult for him to fulfil his potential in the Spanish capital.
Although he has shown some improvements in recent matches, he still has a lot of work to do in that regard to make his time at the Santiago Bernabeu a remarkable one.
