5 La Liga players who have the most to prove this season

1. Eden Hazard — Real Madrid

One of Real Madrid’s biggest concerns when it signed Eden Hazard last summer was the winger’s previous injury history. Those concerns became a reality last season as Hazard missed a boatload of games due to injuries, such as a foot injury that kept him out of the team’s away league El Clasico duel. From injuries to fitness issues, it was a season to forget for the former Premier League winner.

Those injury concerns have now carried over into this season as the winger is expected to miss Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Real Sociedad due to an ankle injury.

With a team like Real Madrid, the high expectations will always be there for its players, especially for those in which the club paid a high transfer fee to acquire. In Hazard’s case, the club is surely not expecting him to replace Cristiano Ronaldo’s production as a regular 40-goals per season scorer but rather be the fierce on-ball playmaker that he once was while with Chelsea.

He did prove in several games last season of just how prolific he can be for the club out on the wing. Thus, his success with the club will essentially come down to his health. If he can avoid any long-term injuries over the season, he could be in line for a double-digit goal and assist campaign. If not, both Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo will be ready to share some playing time out at the left-wing position for the team.