Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has warned the incoming Jude Bellingham that Eden Hazard flopped after arriving on a big-money transfer and hopes history won’t repeat itself.
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has slammed ex-teammate Eden Hazard for ‘letting his career rest’ after signing for Los Blancos.
The Belgian joined Real Madrid from Chelsea during the 2019 summer transfer window for a reported £88m, but a combination of a lack of fitness and form led to him being a huge flop at the Santiago Bernabeu – being named the second worst signing in footballing history by 90min.
During his four seasons at the club, Hazard managed to score a measly seven goals in all competitions and became a free agent this June when his contract expired.
Speaking on the Einfach mal Luppen podcast about Real Madrid’s most recent expensive signing Jude Bellingham – who was announced as a Madrid player on Wednesday, signing for a reported €103m fee – Kroos took the time to dig out Hazard who signed for a similar amount.
“€103m transfer fee? We now also had someone who came for a lot of money and virtually let his career rest. A lot of money and I think everyone would say in retrospect: That was not such a good transfer. But now let’s start from the positive,” Kroos said.
Bellingham is set to be presented as a Real Madrid player on Thursday. The England international joins a midfield already full of talent, with Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Luka Modric and Kroos already on the books.