The curious case of Eden Hazard: Rudiger still thinks he's got it but have disgruntled Real Madrid fans seen enough?

Real Madrid thought they were acquiring a global superstar and potential Ballon d’Or contender when luring Eden Hazard away from Chelsea, but the Belgium international has struggled to live up to his billing at Santiago Bernabeu.

The Blancos parted with €100 million (£86m/$108m) when acquiring a player who impressed in the Premier League.

Hazard has however struggled for form and fitness throughout his time in Spain with only six goals in 66 appearances, and serious questions have been asked, particularly by those in the stands, of whether the 31-year-old is worth keeping.

The man himself has vowed to stay put and prove his worth, while Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti has suggested he is happy to wipe the slate clean in 2022-23.

Hazard will have another familiar face alongside him next season, with Antonio Rudiger treading his own path from Chelsea to Madrid as a free agent this summer, and the Germany international defender remains convinced a player he knows all about will come good.

Rudiger told Marca of Hazard: “I'm very happy to be with Eden again, now at Madrid.

“I know it's been a tough few years for him, with a lot of injuries and problems, but I still hope Madrid fans can see the Hazard I played with, because he was undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.”

Eden Hazard at Real Madrid