5 potential replacements for Karim Benzema at Real Madrid

Real Madrid v Leganes - Copa del Rey, Quarter Final Second Leg
The glory days are gone for Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has been a shadow of himself this season. The French attacker has only managed a paltry 4 goals in 1334 minutes for Los Blancos in La Liga this season.

He has fewer goals than Real Madrid youngster Marco Asensio who has 6 goals in 1182 minutes - the Spanish midfielder has played fewer minutes but has more goals than the French striker.

Benzema's struggles in front of goal have also made Los Merengues struggle in the league this season as they sit 3rd in the league, 14 points behind their bitter rivals and runaway leaders FC Barcelona.

The French superstar has had an illustrious career at Real winning 2 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey titles, 2 Super Copa Cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups, 3 UEFA Champions League titles and 3 FIFA Club World Cup titles.

If his struggles continue, then Real Madrid will have to acquire the services of another world-class striker to enable them to compete for the top honors.

On that note, here is a look at the top five strikers Real Madrid should consider replacing the French striker with:


#5 Andrea Belotti (Italy, Torino)

Spal v Torino FC - Serie A
The Rooster has become super prolific since he joined Torino

Andrea Belotti has been sensational for Torino since joining the club in 2015 from Palermo for a reported fee of €7.5 million. The Italian has been in scintillating form for Il Toro hitting 47 goals in just 94 appearances.

Belotti was linked with several top clubs European last summer after scoring 26 goals in 35 Serie-A matches last season as he helped Torino to a 9th place finish. However, the club was lucky that no move materialized for their top striker as he remained for at least another season.

Belotti's strong work ethic, powerful finishing, and aerial ability could be very vital for the Italian striker if he makes a move to the Bernabeu. He has developed into a top-class striker during his three-year spell at Torino.

At 24, he would be a long-term investment for Los Blancos as he can continue to perform at the top level for the next 8 or 9 seasons just like Benzema. A switch to the Bernabeu would make him develop further into one of European's hottest strikers with the support of the world-class midfield players at Real.

#4 Mauro Icardi (Argentina, Inter Milan)

Icardi has been more profilic this seaoson than ever
Icardi has been more prolific this season than ever

Mauro Icardi has developed into one of the most coveted strikers in European top leagues since leaving Barcelona as a youngster. The Argentine failed to make the grade at Nou Camp and was shipped to Sampdoria in 2011 on an initial loan deal which was made permanent by the Italian club after impressing them on the six-month loan spell.

Icardi joined Inter Milan in 2013 where he has fully developed into a world-class striker scoring 96 goals across four seasons for the Italian giants. The Argentine was even elevated to be the club captain in an attempt to persuade him to stay at San Siro for more years.

There are some media reports that Icardi clashed with Luciano Spelletti making a summer move away from San Siro more likely if the Italian manager stays in-charge at Inter Milan until next season.

Icardi is a proven striker with immense talent that can make step up to replace Karim Benzema. The Argentine has been in top form for Inter Milan this season scoring 18 goals in 22 league appearances as the Nerazzurri are pushing for Champions League qualification

#3 Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Manchester City)

Manchester City v Newcastle United - Premier League
Kun Aguero has broken a number of goalscoring records at Manchester City

Sergio Aguero has been a revelation since joining Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2011. Aguero scored an iconic injury-time goal against QPR is 2012 to hand Manchester City their first title in 44 years.

Aguero broke Manchester City 78 years record by surpassing Eric Brook to become the Citizens all-time leading scorer. The Argentine scored his 178th goal for Manchester City in his 264th appearance for the club 230 less than 494 goals that Erick Brook needed to net 177 goals for the Citizens.

Kun Aguero has been phenomenal this season for the Citizens as he notched impressive 30 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions. Aguero is on course of leading Manchester City to another Premier League glory as they sit top of the table with a whopping 13-points lead against second-placed Manchester United with only 11 matches to go.

There were some media reports that Sergio Aguero is not happy at Manchester City as game time is becoming limited with the arrival of Brazilian sensation Gabriel Jesus. Aguero has been in and out of Manchester City team as Guardiola prefers starting the young Brazilian striker.

At 29, Aguero is not a long time solution to Real Madrid striking option but is clearly an upgrade on Karim Benzema.

#2 Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern Munich)

RSC Anderlecht v Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League
Lewandowski celebrates scoring against Anderlecht in the UEFA Champions League

Robert Lewandowski broke the hearts of Borussia Dortmund fans when he decided to join their bitter rivals Bayern Munich when his contract expired at Signal Iduna Park in 2014. The Polish striker has been a success for the Bavarians breaking records and creating new ones as well.

Lewandowski had a record-breaking cameo in a 2015-2016 season match against Wolfsburg where he scored five goals in 9 minutes after coming as a second-half substitute, and has gone to score astonishing 139 goals in 181 appearances for the Bavarians.

The Polish striker has been integral in Bayern Munich Bundesliga dominance as they have won 5 consecutive Bundesliga titles. Lewandowski could be hoping to lead Bayern Munich to their first Champions League title since 2013 as he already has 5 goals in 6 Champions League appearances this season and 29 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions.

Lewandowski's goalscoring exploits have seen him being linked with a move to Real Madrid in the previous transfer windows. The Polish superstar recently hired a new agent fueling speculation that he could be seeking a move away from Allianz Arena.

If he manages to seal a move to Real Madrid, then he will be an instant hit a worthy replacement for Benzema but in the short term.

#1 Harry Kane (England, Tottenham Hotspur)

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Harry Kane has been the most prolific striker in Europe this season

The English striker has been a revelation since bursting into the scenes as a youngster for Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Kane has gone on to become Tottenham Hotspur's leading scorer in Premier League, overtaking Teddy Sheringham's 97 goal record and he now has 103 goals in 140 Premier League appearances.

Harry Kane has dominated the English Premier league, winning golden boots in the last two consecutive seasons with 25 goals and 29 goals respectively. Kane is on course to win his third Premier League golden boot, as he is leading the goalscoring chart with 24 goals, but faces fierce competition from Liverpool's free-scoring forward Moh Salah.

Harry Kane has scored an impressive 35 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions and is the leading scorer in European top five leagues ahead of superstars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Englishman is the exact striker Real Madrid need as he has shown his prowess in Europe this season scoring 7 goals in 6 Champions League appearances and would be hoping to guide Tottenham past Juventus in the second leg to reach the quarterfinals.

Harry Kane is a powerful finisher with both his feet and aerial ability and at 24 years will be the perfect long-term replacement for Benzema.

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