Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti intends to use Eden Hazard as back-up striker to Karim Benzema next season.

Hazard has struggled since joining Real Madrid from Premier League side Chelsea in the summer of 2019.

According to media outlet AS, Ancelotti is looking to reignite Hazard’s career by deploying him as the team’s centre forward in a false No 9 role when Karim Benzema is rested next season.

Benzema is approaching his 35th birthday and Ancelotti intends to manage the workload of the France international next season.

Benzema won’t play every game for Real Madrid next season and Ancelotti intends to play Hazard as the centre-forward next season when Benzema isn’t playing.

In his three seasons at Real Madrid, Hazard has made just 66 appearances, scoring 6 goals despite earning £400,000-a-week after tax at Real Madrid.

Hazard is set to return this season potentially fitter than he has been for some time, with a metal plate inserted to repair his fibula now removed and no other injury issues to speak of. 

With Vinicius Junior now the undisputed starter on the left wing, Hazard has to reinvent himself as a false 9 for Real Madrid next season.

Hazard is also no stranger to the false No 9 role, having played in it numerous times for Chelsea during the best period of his career.  

Meanwhile, Gareth Bale has agreed to join MLS side Los Angeles FC on a one-year deal after leaving Real Madrid.

Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for a then-world-record fee of £85.1m in 2013 before leaving as a free agent this summer.

Bale had other offers but has chosen to move to California and the MLS.