Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that Eden Hazard will receive more minutes for the club if he continues to apply himself during training.
The 32-year-old has struggled for action throughout the 2022-23 campaign, only featuring on eight occasions in all competitions, contributing one goal and two assists.
Hazard made just his fourth La Liga appearance of the season on Sunday, coming off the bench to provide an assist in Real Madrid's 6-0 home victory over Real Valladolid.
The Belgian was booed by sections of the Bernabeu crowd when he was introduced, but Ancelotti has hinted that there will be more minutes for the attacker if he impresses in training.
"I heard that, yeah (the boos). Eden trained really well this break. He played very little, but he did well and gave an assist. By training well he can get opportunities," Ancelotti told reporters.
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Hazard has largely struggled to make his mark for Real Madrid since his high-profile move from Chelsea, only managing seven goals and 12 assists in 74 appearances in all competitions.
There have been suggestions that the Belgian could leave Bernabeu this summer, but the attacker recently insisted that he has no desire to leave before the end of his contract, which is due to run until June 2024.
"I would like to stay, I have always said it. I hope to play to show that I can still do it. People have doubts, it's normal. I understand it really good. But for me, I'm still here next year," he told RTBF.
"You never know, but a transfer is not in the plan. What can make me change my mind? I don't know. All I think about is playing. That's why I don't even think about leaving. Deep down, I think I can contribute something."
Hazard's salary is believed to be worth in the region of £384,000 a week, which allegedly makes him the highest earner at the club ahead of David Alaba, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema.
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Rodrygo, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez were on the scoresheet against Real Valladolid on Sunday, while Benzema scored three times for the home side at Bernabeu.
"At first we struggled a bit and they had chances but once we went 1-0 up everything was easier. The transformations were amazing and Karim was at his best. Everything worked fine," Ancelotti told reporters after the contest.
"Benzema's match must be highlighted. This shows that he did a great job during the break."
Real Madrid remain 12 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, who they will face on Wednesday night in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, with the Catalan outfit holding a 1-0 advantage in the tie.
Matt Law
