Eden Hazard is still an "important" part of the jigsaw at Real Madrid despite seeing his career nosedive since leaving Chelsea.
The Belgian, regarded as one of the Premier League's finest players during his time at Stamford Bridge, made the switch to Spain in a deal worth up to £129m but has failed to live up to the price tag. Hazard's stock has fallen, both with his club and his country.
Belgium endured a forgettable World Cup, exiting in the group stages after being beaten by Morocco. Hazard has lost his place as a starter with the national team and, despite being very much a squad player at Los Blancos, Carlo Ancelotti insists he has a role to play.
He said: "I see him well. He has trained well. I see him better than before the World Cup, it's true. I'm sure that with all the games we have ahead of us, Hazard is going to be important."
Hazard has only made seven appearances in all competitions this term with the likes of Vinicius Jnr, Rodrygo and Ernesto Valverde all ahead of him in the pecking order. The Belgian has spent considerable amount of time on the sidelines, making just 72 appearances in more than three seasons.
Previously named the PFA Player of the Year in England whilst at the Blues, Hazard has now found himself apologising for failing to replicate that kind of form, scoring just seven times for the Spanish giants.
Back in November he told Marca in an interview : "I'm sorry. I'm trying, but ... I'm sorry. I have one more year and I have to show [what I can do] but it isn't easy. I'm not playing, I want to play more. I'm really sorry about what has happened."
Ancelotti's comments have appeared to quash any idea of the 31-year-old playmaker leaving the Spanish capital. Several Madrid players, including Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos, could leave in the summer once their contracts expire.
Hazard confessed he could endure a mid-season exit if the Los Blancos hierarchy decided to cut their loses. He said previously: "In January it's impossible, because I have my family and I like the city," he said. "But in the summer it's possible that I leave. I have a year left on my contract and it's a decision for the club. If the club says 'Eden, thanks for these four years, but you have to go' I'll have to accept it."
He also claimed: “I want to play but it’s the manager who makes his choices. I accept [it], but I want to show him that I deserve to play more. When you don't play it's difficult.” Newcastle have been touted as a potential destination for the Belgian given their new-found financial power.
