Zidane: Hazard didn't lack professionalism, he had a problem

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane defended Eden Hazard on Tuesday against the latest wave of criticism against the Belgian forward. 

Hazard is back in the Madrid squad for Wednesday's game against Real Valladolid and set for his first appearance of the season after recovering from his latest fitness issues. 

The former Chelsea man has been criticised for a lack of professionalism by the local press but Zidane insists his problems have all been injury-related. 

“I don’t think he’s unprofessional, he’s just had a big fat problem which has been bothering him for a long time," the French coach said in a press conference. 

"What we want is for him to not feel any discomfort again, so we need to wait. t’s a long season and he wants to be back on the pitch with his teammates so he can play well and help us out.

“He’s getting very close, he’s training regularly with us and getting into shape and getting ready to come back.”

Madrid face Valladolid on Wednesday in their third game of the LaLiga season. They were held to a goalless draw by Real Sociedad in their opening game and beat Real Betis at the weekend.