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Real Madrid have finally announced the much-awaited signing of Belgian superstar Eden Hazard on Friday. In an official statement released by the club, Los Blancos declared the Hazard signing for a free around £88 million with a possibility of exceeding £130 million.
The former Chelsea star is scheduled to be presented on 13th of June in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, after undergoing a medical with the club.
Hazard became the fourth singing of Zinedine Zidane’s second spell at the club. Previously, Real Madrid have completed three others signing this summer in the form of Éder Militão, Rodrygo and a very recent one Luka Jović.
Here is a look at how the 13-time European Champions could potentially line up next season with Eden Hazard in their ranks.
#1 Playing a 4-3-3
Zinedine Zidane can line Real Madrid up with a 4-3-3 formation, playing an attacking trio of Karim Benzema, Hazard and Vinicius Junior upfront.
As we all know Hazard likes to cut inside onto his favored right foot whenever he has got space. So, he can start upfront in the left-wing position, where he has made his name while playing for both Chelsea and Belgium.
In addition, Hazard can also switch wings with Vinicius Junior and play on the right, so that they can change it up in the attacking third. If these two can gel well, the opposition defenders will have an extremely difficult job of keeping Real Madrid at bay, given the trickery both of them have in their locker.
#2 Playing a diamond in midfield:
Zinedine Zidane can field a diamond system by placing Isco in more advanced position than the other three midfielders and putting Benzema (or Luka Jovic) and Hazard up-front.
The Madrid boss can use Isco in a free role to roam, as he has successfully done it before in the finals of 2017 UEFA Champions League, when Real Madrid thrashed Juventus 4-1 in the finals at Cardiff.
Yes, it is almost impossible to replicate what Ronaldo has done for Real Madrid over the years, but Hazard has got all the potentials to replace Ronaldo in that line up and create another chapter in the already illustrious history of Real Madrid.
It will also mean that Hazard will have less of a defensive work to worry about because of the compact nature of Real Madrid midfield. Which in turn will help Madrid to counter if Benzema can link up well with the Belgium sensation.
#3 Playing Hazard as a number 10
With the quality that Hazard has got in his locker, Zidane can be tempted to use him in a more traditional number 10 position. Hazard's ability to pick a pass out of nowhere can be maximized by giving him the playmaker role in the team with Karim Benzema up ahead.
Given the trust Zidane has in Lucas Vazquez, the Frenchman can also manage to fit him in to the playing eleven with Vinicius Junior occupying his favorite position left wing position.
It will also provide Real Madrid the much-needed defensive stability with two pivots in the form of Casemiro and Toni Kroos, who can protect the back four. In short, the less defensive work Zidane and Madrid will imply on Hazard, the more Hazard can blossom in the famous white shirt.
