Alvaro Arbeloa has backed Eden Hazard to hit top gear after describing his return from injury as “an airplane”.
When Hazard swapped Chelsea for Real Madrid, many were expecting to see a player who would at least come close to an icon like Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But that has not been the case case for the 29-year-old who has largely been out of the team through injuries, making just 15 appearances for the club with one goal.
Hazard had been on the treatment table prior to the suspension of the football season and was expected to play little part in the remaining fixtures.
However, things have changes the player made good use of the break to continue his recovery and has turned up fully fit ahead of the return to the La Liga season.
Arbeloa, who once played for Los Blancos has been impressed by Hazard’s conduct at the club since he joined the club.
He told Real Madrid TV: “I imagine that, with Marco [Asensio], there will have to be more care, giving him minutes little by little.
“You have to be more careful with him than with Eden [Hazard], who has returned like an airplane. He is going to win us many games.”
Having sat out of action for three months, the players are expected to lack full fitness but the former defender believes will make use of the new protocols set to come into play.
“I think there won’t be many changes in this first XI, but then [Zidane] will make three or four changes in each game,” Arbeloa said of Madrid’s plans. “The Zidane method will return for sure.”
Arbeloa also tipped Karim Benzema to show up in the remaining 11 games for Madrid to help clinch the league title.
“He has been important throughout his time [at Real Madrid] and we are going to see it now,” said Arbeloa. “With Zidane he has a lot of confidence. And we have recovered Hazard and Asensio, which is very important.”
