Real Madrid set to rule out Eden Hazard move in favour of building team around Isco

Sport360 staff 18:15 28/07/2018
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    New Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui’s faith in Spanish playmaker Isco will likely see the club rule out a move for Chelsea‘s Eden Hazard, according to AS.

    Given that Hazard could cost the club over €200million and plays in a position where Madrid are already well-stocked, the club are unlikely to act on their admiration for the player.

    Instead, Lopetegui will give Isco more of a key role in the Madrid team, having built an excellent relationship with the playmaker during his time as the manager of the Spanish national team.

    Indeed, Isco at times seemed more comfortable in the Spain set-up than at Madrid, with his comments after scoring a hat-trick in La Roja’s 6-1 win over Argentina this year a prime example.

    “In the national team I’ve got the coach’s confidence, which maybe I haven’t managed to earn at Madrid,” Isco had said in March.

    Former manager Zinedine Zidane had begun picking the 26-year-old more regularly in the months that followed, including handing him a starting berth in the Champions League final against Liverpool, but the faith Lopetegui has in the Andalusian will be a much bigger boost to Isco’s confidence.

    Another reason Madrid have for choosing not to sign Hazard is the need to develop Marco Asensio. James Rodriguez was allowed to leave last summer in order to let the young Spaniard get more playing time and develop as a player, and the club hierarchy would prefer seeing Asensio build on the promise he showed at the beginning of last season.

    Between their two young Spanish stars, Madrid believe they have enough stardust in their squad to make a move for Hazard ill-advised. Now, it’s up to the duo – and especially Isco – to repay their club’s faith.

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