5 potential replacements for Karim Benzema if Real Madrid sell him
Will Karim Benzema leave Real Madrid and who will replace him if he does?Rumours are going round that Arsenal are on the brink of bolstering their attack and potential title challenge by signing France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month. Manchester City were also linked. If new Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez does decide it is time to get rid of the man who has plied his trade in Spain’s capital for just over six years now then who could he replace him with?It’s hard to list players that could make the jump to Real Madrid’s level; they only want the best and sometimes it can be hard to get the best. Even when they do they have an immense level of pressure to work under and have to meet a high amount of expectation.But here are five players that could fill the gap left by Benzema, should he go to England.
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo
Let’s be honest. Cristiano Ronaldo still runs the show at Real Madrid and Karim Benzema is nothing but a backup act for him, a very talented backup act though, I must add. Could Ronaldo make that move back to the point of the attack like he did under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United between 2008 and 2009?
If you look at it logically; he is quick, he is tall, and he has all the attributes needed to play in this role. Sure you will miss the cutting in from the left flank and shooting part of his game but when he’s playing in a central role he will be involved in almost every attack. Not that he already wasn’t, to be fair.
It could be a master class move from Rafa Benetiz very early on in his tenure at Madrid, he sells a striker and converts one of the world’s best talents into the replacement for him. They would also free up that left winger role for a youngster coming through or perhaps a new signing.
Ronaldo isn’t getting any younger. Perhaps converting him into a centre-forward would prolong the years of quality they can get out of him. Most world class wide-men opt to make the move inside eventually when age takes over. Maybe the time for Ronaldo is now?