Zidane: Eden Hazard can’t replace Crisitiano Ronaldo

Zinedine Zidane concedes it is impossible to replace Cristiano Ronaldo despite their pursuit of Chelsea star Eden Hazard.

Real Madrid have struggled since Ronaldo left for Juventus in a £100million deal last summer and the Spanish club are looking to overhaul their club by making a move for Eden Hazard this summer.

With Hazard having just one year left on his contract, Chelsea could be forced to sell the Belgian or risk losing him for free in the summer of 2020.

Despite Hazard being Real Madrid’s top target, Zidane insists nobody brought to the club can replace Ronaldo.

“The problem is that Cristiano cannot be replaced,” Zidane said.

“He is gone, but we can bring any player and the player who comes will not do the same as Cristiano.”

Since Ronaldo left, Real Madrid have sacked two managers – Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari. They were also knocked out of the Champions League in the second round stage by Ajax.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea boss Glenn Hoddle has warned the Blues that Eden Hazard can’t be replaced, amid reports linking the Belgian captain to Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Hoddle told BT Sport: “If Messi hangs up his boots how do Barcelona replace him? Hazard is not in that category but how do Chelsea replace him, they can’t.

“I don’t see anyone out there who can do what Hazard does for Chelsea week in, week out. I can see him in a white shirt next season and really enjoying his football there.

“He is enjoying his football at Chelsea because if he wasn’t playing in a team that passes the ball and move around he would have left already and I think that’s what’s pulling on his heartstrings a little bit.”

Hoddle also warned Hazard moving to Real Madrid this summer might not be a good time with the club in transition after a poor season.

Hoddle added: “He really has to think ‘do I want to go and play for Real Madrid, one of the best teams in the world?’

“He deserves to because he is a wonderful player. I think he will go, but is he joining them at the wrong time because Real Madrid have a lot of rebuilding to do.”

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