'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid have endured a difficult start to their season so far. With the departure of manager Zinedine Zidane and club legend Cristiano Ronaldo in this summer, Real Madrid have fallen well below their standards. Their strikers are missing their shooting boots and hence have wasted a lot of opportunities for their side. Further, their new marquee signing Thibaut Courtois too has failed to impress the Bernabeu hierarchy.
Out of 9 games in La Liga, Real Madrid have won just four games so far. They currently sit in the 7th place, 4 points behind leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona. Hence, the team needs to step up in order to change their current situation. In the Champions League too they have looked vulnerable and hence there is a big question mark regarding their ability to win the Champions League fourth consecutive year.
Karim Benzema has been on the receiving end for Real Madrid's poor form this season in the form of criticism from some sections of media and fans. Having spent almost 10 years at the club, Benzema has proved to be a loyal servant for the club. Despite this, his form in the last few seasons has been below average and hence has to an extent lost his ability to be a goal-machine for the club. He has also suffered various injuries recently and hence this has affected his fitness to a certain extent.
Hence, the time has come for Real Madrid to search for a replacement for Karim Benzema in January so that they can turn the tide in terms of their recent form. They should go for a striker who can guarantee them at least 30 goals in a season and can become a Galactico in the future. The Real Madrid hierarchy should not take a hasty decision and decide wisely about who could succeed such a great striker. It is high time that Real find the man who can fill in the big void in the team formed by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Let us have a look at the 3 players who could succeed Benzema at Real Madrid:
#3 Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is one of the best strikers in the world at the moment. His goal-scoring acumen is unmatchable in the Bundesliga. In 133 matches, he has scored 111 goals for Bayern Munich in 4 years. He has scored more than 40 goals for his club in the last 3 consecutive seasons and hence is a formidable striker to defend against. His very name in the team sheet brings fear in the minds of even the top defenders in Europe.
Lewandowski is a powerful shooter, is deadly accurate in front of the goal and has the pace to run at defenders. Due to his height, he is dangerous to defend against during set-pieces. He is one of the most sought out players in the transfer market and hence has been in the wish list of top clubs like Real Madrid.
Lewandowski is a potential game changer and hence Real Madrid should look to secure his signature in the coming transfer windows.
#2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has firmly established himself in the record books as one of the best strikers in the world. Even at the age of 37, Ibrahimovic still is in good form for his club LA Galaxy and is entertaining the crowd in MLS. He still has the passion to play in Europe due to his hard-working nature. Hence, there is a possibility that he might move back to Europe in January.
Being 6ft 5in in height, Zlatan is physically strong, is powerful in the air and hence it is a headache for any defender to mark him particularly during set-pieces. He still has the ability to run at defenders although it is showing signs of decline. The Swede is a powerful long-range shooter and has the unique ability to score a goal out of nowhere for his team.
Due to his age, it will be a knee-jerk reaction if Real Madrid decides to buy him in January. With the current situation at Real Madrid, Zlatan's addition will give them a huge boost. His ability to score a lot of goals will prove to be a blessing for Real Madrid if they decide to sign him. The legendary striker could be an interesting stopgap option.
#1 Harry Kane
Harry Kane has established himself as one of the top strikers in the Premier League in the past few seasons. Having won two consecutive Premier League Golden Boot Award in 2015-16 and 2016-17, he has made Tottenham a formidable team in the Premier League and are hence one of the top contenders for the title.
Kane is an extremely good poacher and is a constant threat to the opposition in the penalty. Further, he is excellent at shielding the ball from the opposition to allow his teammates to make runs behind the defense. Kane was also awarded the FIFA Golden Boot Award for scoring 6 goals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Kane is a readymade Galactico material for Real Madrid due to his ability to score 30 goals in a season. He can prove to be a long-term replacement for Benzema.
