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Why is Real Madrid interested in Eden Hazard, not Riyad Mahrez?

By Jonathan Perelman

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December 14, 2015 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December 14, 2015 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Although Real Madrid has shown interest in Eden Hazard, it seems kind of odd. 

After the 2014-2015 season, an amazing one for Chelsea, Eden Hazard was often referred to as the next Lionel Messi. If not Messi, then he was pretty close. Last season, Hazard scored 20 goals and had 13 assists in all competitions. Although these numbers aren’t quite the level that players like Messi and Ronaldo are accustomed to, he was still receiving accolades to be similar to them and was expected to improve this season. As well as the generous comparisons, Real Madrid had shown interest in him.

As most know, though, Hazard has fallen off this season. After scoring 14 goals in the Premier League last season, he has scored none this season. He virtually disappeared when Chelsea needed him the most.

Some say it is because he couldn’t thrive under Jose Mourinho’s style, others don’t know where this sudden lack of confidence and ability came from. Despite the rough times for Eden Hazard and Chelsea, Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid’s new manager, has shown interest in the Belgian forward.

Not only has Hazard shown interest in a transfer to Madrid over the summer transfer window, but Zidane also believes Hazard has a chance to be special. And rightfully so, because Hazard has flashed his talent, but at the moment, he lacks the confidence to show anything.

So why not go for the more talented, in form, Riyad Mahrez?

Granted, Mahrez has only recently shown up on people’s radars, but look what he has done in the short time he has been in the spotlight. While Hazard’s best season in the Premier League saw him score 14 goals and 9 assists and player of the season, Mahrez, in the season that has not yet finished, has scored 16 goals and 11 assists, and will most likely earn player of the season in the PL. Not only are Mahrez’s stats better, look at who is around him.

Jamie Vardy is Mahrez’s best option. Yes, he has proven to be a prolific finisher, but Hazard is surrounded by much more talented, proven players. Diego Costa, Willian, Oscar, Fabregas are all around Hazard.

They are both very similar players. They are small, they are aggressive, they are the same age, and at their best, they know how to score and create goals. But for some reason, Mahrez is not linked to any big teams like Real Madrid, yet. He will most likely sign a big deal this summer, but he should be getting more attention from teams like Madrid and Barcelona. Although Zidane has said he likes Hazard, Mahrez, on paper and on the field, is better.

Related Story: Should Real Madrid buy Lukaku or Morata?

His creativity and instinct for goal as a midfielder is unmatched in the Premier League. Whether or not he can do this on a team of the caliber of Madrid is yet to be known, but he will get his opportunity, make no mistake. He will sign a big deal, and if it pays off, Real Madrid, who need a creative player to reignite their team, could be kicking themselves.

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