Sports

Real Madrid president’s statement on Eden Hazard is good news for Chelsea

Published

6 years ago

July 23, 2018

Real Madrid are to continue to focus on youth in their attempts to replace Cristiano Ronaldo and bring new blood into their squad according to club president Florentino Perez.
Speaking at a press conference organised to welcome Vinicius Junior to the Bernabeu, the 71-year-old praised the recruitment team’s latest signings and told fans to expect their recent approach to continue.

Previously, the 13-time European champions were known for splashing out on so-called ‘Galactico’ signings to provide a boost both on the pitch and in the marketing department.

However, they have not made a move for such a player since 2014 when James Rodriguez was purchased after a stand out tournament for Colombia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The former Porto and Monaco playmaker is currently at Bayern Munich in the middle of a two year loan spell but it was suggested that Real could return to their past behaviour in the transfer market to respond to the sale of Ronaldo to Juventus earlier this month.

Neymar and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard had been identified as potential successors to the Portuguese match-winner, although a move for the Brazilian has seemingly been ruled out as an option this summer.

Hence why the Blues have reportedly come under so much pressure with regards to the future of their Belgian winger. Fees in excess of £170million have already been bandied around as Real complete other deals in the window.
The reigning Champions League winners have signed three players already, not including those who have arrived at the club through buy back clauses or the ending of loan deals elsewhere.

Of this trio of new faces, the oldest is 22. The other two are still teenagers. According to Perez, this is now the way that he expects the Spanish giants to conduct business in order to grow for the future.

“Madrid are strengthening the search process for young players who may soon become the main stars of this sport,” he said, as reported by Marca .

“I said a few days ago that I was going to reinforce the squad with great players, [Alvaro] Odriozola is that and Vinicius [Junior] also. We’ve been waiting for him for a long time because he conquered us with his dribbles and his plays, and now he’s here.”

A youth first policy would rule out a move for 27-year-old Hazard, whose position in the first team could be taken up by Spanish sensation Marco Asensio or the more experienced Isco.

Chelsea may still have to reckon with an approach from Madrid for their goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian shot-stopper has a preference to live in the city in order to be closer to his children and has also spoken out about the difference in quality of life between London and the Spanish capital.