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Real Madrid have had a couple of uncharacteristically quiet summers in more recent years. Usually, the boys from the capital make some of the biggest noises around Europe. They have the money and the reputation to attract some of the most promising players on the planet.

But success came anyway as the Galacticos stormed the biggest stage in club football, clinching three consecutive Champions League crowns. No one before them has done what they have.

So despite the struggles domestically and internally, the word "crisis" was always somehow swept under the rug and beneath the pile of European titles. But the cracks that started showing years ago finally became too big and in 2018/19 they split open. Real Madrid were left with nothing bar a Club World Cup trophy to their name.

Reinforcements were necessary and the Bernabeu was in need of some Galactico signings to restore the order in Madrid.

We all know Florentino Perez was hugely interested in someone and when "papa Perez" wants something, he gets it. And get it he did as Eden Hazard was brought in from Chelsea for a fee that could exceed £150m. In every sense of the word, the Belgian was a Galactico through and through. Of course, Madrid went on to buy several other players but none with Hazard's pedigree or reputation.

From the looks of it, he is going to be the one to lead the charge this season and since he does prefer that left-wing role, which was left vacant by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, it would be fair to presume he could be the one to replace the Portuguese in the long run.

And his numbers show that he is consistent in what he does.

In the 2018/19 season, while he was still a Blue, Hazard scored 21 goals and assisted a further 17 in a total of 52 games across all competitions. After losing a big piece, Real Madrid now finally have one that can get somewhat close to those incredible figures Ronaldo was hitting season after season.

In that regard, signing Hazard was definitely a step forward, representing a reinforcement that will slot into the gala XI with no effort.

But speaking of Hazard's positioning and Ronaldo's replacements, it's difficult not to question Perez's decision just a tiny bit. Sure, Hazard is a Galactico and his pure quality is bound to bring some sort of results to Los Blancos. But was he really a necessity? A necessary piece to get Real Madrid where they want to be in the future? Let's dissect it a bit further.

He is an incredible player but if you're looking for a Ronaldo replacement, he's hardly the one you should be looking at.

Sure he resembles the Portuguese when he was younger, bursting down the flanks, beating multiple markers only to fire a rocket in the top corner. That very much sounds like Hazard too. But the output is simply not there. Yes, the Belgian's figures are high but not 40+ goals per season.

If Madrid were looking to make up the loss of a prolific goal-scorer, maybe they should've turned to someone who actually specialises in that.

Hazard brings you a lot, no doubt about that, but does he bring exactly what Zinedine Zidane needs? Not quite. The other issue at hand is Real Madrid's squad in itself.

Sure, you can maybe play Hazard out of position, more centrally or at the tip of your attack but that doesn't change the fact he is primarily a left-winger. And it just happens to be that Madrid have an abundance of players in that position which include Vinicius Junior, Takefusa Kubo, Rodrygo and even Gareth Bale.

We can argue that Hazard is still one level above all of them, even the Welshman, but there's also no escaping the thought all that money could've been spent more wisely.

The Belgian might prove us wrong if he starts finding the net on a regular basis in La Liga soon enough but until that point, success cannot be guaranteed.

From that perspective, this signing does feel a bit like Perez flexing his muscles and bringing in a Galactico just because he has the power and the possibility to do so rather than buying someone he truly and desperately needs.

Does he truly and desperately need to improve his team? Yes, probably so. But it remains to be seen if Hazard is the solution he was seeking all along.

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