Rafa Benitez planning to play Cristiano Ronaldo as a central striker

Cristiano Ronaldo could be seen playing as a centre-forward next season

Rafael Benitez who took charge as the Real Madrid coach is planning to use the 4-2-3-1 formation for next season is thought to be interested in using Ronaldo as his number nine. Benitez has used the 4-2-3-1 system during his time at Napoli and wants to utilize more of the Real Madrid star’s goalscoring prowess.

Cristiano Ronaldo was in top form in the 2014/15 season which may have encouraged Benitez to give the Portuguese star a more central role. Playing him as the striker would offer the team many benefits as it will give Ronaldo more freedom and even more goalscoring opportunities.

It is believed that the central role will suit the player more rather than cutting in from the wings. The strategy is also meant to reduce the work load on Ronaldo as he suffered from fatigue towards the end of the 2014/15 season.

Benitez is expected to discuss his ideas with Ronaldo ahead of the upcoming season. Ronaldo is not new to playing in a central role as he was used many times in that position by Alex Ferguson during his time at Manchester United.

Benitez will explain all the benefits which this system brings to Ronaldo and his teammates. The manager feels that it will enhance the productivity of Ronaldo which would result in more goals. Cristiano will be donning a role similar to the one his former Real Madrid teammate Gonzalo Higuain is playing at Napoli.

If Ronaldo is drafted in as Madrid's number '9', then it would be the end of the BBC (Bale-Benzema-Cristiano) forward line which was used by Carlo Ancelotti. Benitez is also known to used the 4-4-2 formation at times depending on who the opponents are.

It would be interesting to see how Benitez's squad rotation and tactical changes would determine the roles of the BBC in the squad.