Real Madrid still haven’t seen the real Eden Hazard, according to formal Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger – but even when they do, he still won’t replace Ronaldo.
Hazard registered his first La Liga goal and assist in Madrid’s last match before the international break, a 4-2 victory over Granada which kept Zinedine Zidane’s side top of the league table.
Despite their position, Real Madrid have already faltered this season and are yet to discover their best form.
“He will be the answer but not in replacing Ronaldo, that is for sure,” Wenger told beIN Sports when asked about Eden Hazard. “He will not score 50 goals a year because that’s now how they play football.
“They need another goalscorer at Real Madrid because [Karim] Benzema is now 32 and if they had someone younger around him to score the goals, maybe they could do very well.
“Eden Hazard is an exceptional player to create chances to sometimes finish when he needs to in the big games.
“He’s not scared of anybody – I don’t think Real have yet to see the real Hazard, he’s not as sharp physically as he can be. That’s why I believe they will discover the real Hazard.”
Hazard’s pre-season preparations were disrupted by a hamstring injury, but he is now working his way back to full match fitness and will be expecting to kick on after his first goal for the club.
The 28-year-old has now played six matches since his summer move from Chelsea, after making his debut in September’s 3-2 victory over Levante.
After the international break, Madrid travel to Mallorca in La Liga and Galatasaray in the Champions League, before returning to the Bernabeu for the first Clasico of the campaign against Barcelona on October 26.
