Ancelotti states one reason why Hazard did not play against Espanyol

“He could have been an option, but I didn’t want to unbalance the team," Carlo Ancelotti said when asked why Eden Hazard didn't feature at Espanyol.

"Putting on another forward would have been a risk, with Benzema, Rodrygo and Vinícius all on the pitch. If Hazard doesn’t play in a certain game, that’s fine.

"I’m not the coach of Hazard or of Benzema or Mendy or Camavinga or Valverde. I’m the coach of Real Madrid,” the gaffer added.

Hazard has not started any of Real Madrid's three games this season.

The Belgian came off the bench in Madrid's first two games and showed some flashes of brilliance. However, it's clear that he's a player Ancelotti doesn't rely on at the moment.

Source: Managing Madrid