Real Madrid Transfer News: Zinedine Zidane Talks Up Eden Hazard Amid Rumours

Real Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane has admitted he enjoys "everything" Chelsea's Eden Hazard achieves on the pitch, saying he admires the Belgian winger "a lot."

Hazard previously dismissed comments linking him to the Bernabeu club, saying Chelsea "are the only club that makes me dream," as reported in November by Martin Lipton of the Daily Mirror. However, Zidane's recent interview with FIFA.com suggests images of the 24-year-old may enter his unconscious at night:

"

There are players I keep an eye on and who I like a lot, like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, of course. They’re fantastic players, but I like Eden Hazard a lot too. I enjoy everything he does on the pitch. I like the way he carries himself, that decisive streak in him and the fact that he’s improving every year. He can still get better too, and I think he’s a big reason why Chelsea are on top of the table.

"

Abraham Caro Marin/Associated Press

Add in a report from French publication Le10Sport (h/t Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express) that Madrid "may be forced to reconsider their stance on Gareth Bale with Manchester United preparing an £80 million bid," and you have yourself a recipe for a Hazard-based transfer saga.

Ed Aarons of the Guardian notes as much:

Hazard has added consistency to his game this season, becoming Chelsea's most important match-winner with 13 goals and eight assists in 32 Premier League appearances, per WhoScored.com. The Blues are four points away from confirming the English title after Hazard's winner in the recent 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Gareth Bale's recent troubles at Real Madrid have seen him labelled a "ball-hog" and jeered by fans, but manager Carlo Ancelotti has shown no desire to drop him.

Los Blancos play with a rapid front three of Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, so it's likely the Welshman would be the man to depart if Hazard was ever seriously considered.

Hazard used to hold on to the ball too long during his early Chelsea days, often running himself into trouble. He has proven far more responsible this season and has largely eliminated the frustrating elements from his game. Bale perhaps needs to do the same if he's to remain a Madrid player for years to come.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Belgian writer Kristof Terreur highlighted how Hazard has developed into a big-game player, with stats from WhoScored.com:

Madrid's reputation is built around signing the most marketable, in-form stars, so Hazard certainly fits the bill. However, UEFA's financial fair play rules limit the accumulation of heavy spending without players being sold. Hazard has the potential to break Bale's world-record £85 million fee if he continues to perform with the same quality.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Zidane's comments are innocent enough, but he knows a man of his stature and association cannot speak about players of Hazard's quality without stories arising.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is unlikely to ever consider selling his prized asset to the team he left in a huff, but with Bale's future continuing to make headlines, Madrid fans might become excited at the thought.