Take away his title-deciding screamer against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard was practically non-existent in last season’s calamitous Premier league campaign for the Blues.
Still, the Belgium midfielder looked much more like himself at Euro 2016 – despite his country bowing out prematurely yet again – and he seems to have taken that good form into the busy pre-season schedule.
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea went down 3-2 to Real Madrid in their International Champions Cup friendly, but if it wasn’t for Hazard the scoreline could have been a lot more embarrassing.
Chelsea found themselves 3-0 down at the break, as they were torn to shreds by left-back Marcelo, who scored two and assisted for Mariano’s third.
Hazard made his first pre-season appearance as a second-half substitute, scoring two goals in 25 minutes on the pitch.
What’s more remarkable is that both goals were almost identical. The former Player of the Year twice evaded the advancing Madrid goalkeeper to save his manager’s blushes, and were it not for the clock, he might have gone on to level it up.
VIDEO : Eden Hazard first Goal – Real Madrid vs Chelsea – International Champions Cup 2 – https://t.co/laY7FAFk7H via @Dailymotion
— Real Madrid ACTU (@ActuMERENGUE) July 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/BilicBible/status/759499832029548544
Chelsea fans naturally took to social media to laud Hazard’s performance, and while there were questions raised about his commitment last season, they seem pretty confident that their star man is back in business.
https://twitter.com/theEdem/status/759494374124359680
https://twitter.com/chelscfc_/status/759492810793975808
Seems like Hazard is back from Vacation
— Andy (@AndrewUnited7) July 30, 2016
Young Eden Hazard is back ⚡️⚡️⚡️💙 pic.twitter.com/EEprqrg1Fk
— J (@Jordan7Neves) July 30, 2016
The REAL EDEN HAZARD IS BACK 🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊🎊📣📣📣🔥🔥🔥🔥
— PythaConda (@Dougie77_TT) July 30, 2016
