Belgium expect Hazard to have more playing time

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez says he hopes Eden Hazard is able to stay fit and play more regularly for his club as he outlined his plans ahead of the next World Cup finals.

Hazard captained the side as Belgium, who were beaten by France in the semi-finals of the 2018 tournament, qualified for Qatar 2020 with a 3-1 victory over Estonia in their penultimate qualifier in Brussels on Saturday.

But the 30-year-old Hazard has struggled to get game time at Real Madrid, even after recovering from a series of long-standing injuries, and this has been a source of concern in Belgium.

“I especially hope that Eden Hazard remains fully fit. And that every player at his club can show the best of himself because the competition for places in the squad is huge,” said Martinez.

Hazard is one of the golden generations who have kept Belgium top of the FIFA rankings since 2018 but been unable to deliver a major trophy.

ARR