Benzema, Bale, and Real Madrid's quest for an alternative 9

Bale would offer a mobile forward option, who stretches defences and who can produce spectacular moments of his own. He is also a Carlo player, skilled and direct with a powerful shot. He can be used in a wing aligned version of the role Kaka played for Ancelotti’s Milan. It’s similarly easy to see incongruences in this plan.Without a real centre forward, defences will not be stretched vertically, but rather laterally, meaning that filling central spaces with midfielders will be perfectly viable tactically for those wishing to negate the effect of the two wingers. However, with this move far from being cemented, it is more important to discuss the other options.

Gareth Bale: signing on the horizon

So the discussion shifts to Benzema, Morata, and Jese. The latter two, I see no point in discussing. Jese is a similar player to Bale and in my opinion, his presence makes the chase of Bale inconceivable. However, that is a discussion for another day. Morata is good enough to be a backup forward for many teams, for Madrid, it is still left to be decided. Neither is important or a point of contention, if another forward is bought, Benzema will leave and the role of reserve will fall to these two regardless.

So we arrive at the Frenchman. He should be one of the best players in the world. However, over the four years he has been at Madrid, he has demonstrated that level for only one and a half, and these moments of genius have been equally complimented by moments of absolute futility. When he is on form, Madrid is completely fluid, with his creative ability he is able to play provider for Cristiano, and with his forward mobility he is able to shake defences, linking midfield and attack without distorting the offensive flow.

Even in Benzema’s most deplorable state he remains a player of immense talent, vision and touch, which carries an intrinsic selflessness and intelligence for the game unmatched by another forward in football. However, his time at Madrid seems to have eroded his desire to be the great player he so clearly should be. Rather, he now operates merely as a satellite of Ronaldo, never operating out of his own volition. From that stems a clear inertia in his play, which holds back both himself and the team.

If we judge only by the past, it’s unlikely Benzema will maintain the level of play necessary in a permanent fixture role. Though, Carletto knows the situation better. He probably recognizes Benzema’s talent and the patterns which characterize his peaks and troughs. If so desired, give him the sense of continuity and the touches of the ball which promote his rhythm and activity, which endow him with the confidence necessary to be successful. It would be a great achievement.

The impossibility of convincing Cristiano to be the nine, the aversion to risking everything to Benzema leaves Madrid with two options. They can sign Bale and have him form a strike partnership with Ronaldo or they could sign a nine. Nothing seems decided, this is the least clear aspect of the new Real Madrid, and what they choose will impact them for years to come.