04/06/2020
Hazard and Asensio can be game-changers in title race, says McManaman
19 hours ago / autty
Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio have been hailed as the potential game-changers that can help Real Madrid catch Barcelona in the LaLiga title race.
Hazard underwent surgery in February after fracturing his ankle while Asensio has missed the entirety of the 2019-2020 campaign after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last July.
Both players have been back on the training pitch ahead of LaLiga's return with Real's first game back coming up on June 14 when they host Eibar.
Zinedine Zidane's side have scored 14 goals less than title rivals Barca but the two forwards could provide a much needed attacking boost as they aim to close their two point deficit.
Former player Steve McManaman believes the pair coming back to fitness will be a huge advantage.
'Eden Hazard will be back fit and Asensio will be back fit so that will give them an extra push to catch those two points on Barcelona,' he said.
'It will benefit them, I think it's the same for all the top teams in all the top leagues - if you're at the top of the league it normally means you have the best squad, the biggest squad and more quality than everyone else.
'The fact that you've had two or three months for everybody to get fit and that surely will benefit them, it certainly will with Real Madrid.'
While Asensio has been unable to make an appearance for Real this season, Hazard has played 15 times but has only managed one goal since his £90million move from Chelsea last summer.
An ankle injury at the end of November kept him on the sidelines until February but he only managed to return for two games before picking up his second ankle blow.
McManaman, who played for Real between 1999 and 2003, was speaking ahead of the LaLiga's return on June 13 which begins with Barcelona's trip to Mallorca.
