Carlo Ancelotti's plan to back Karim Benzema up revealed
Karan Tejwani
- 7 Jul 2022 10:31 BST
- 3 min read
Carlo Ancelotti has identified back-up options for Karim Benzema at Real Madrid, and it’s something that’s coming from the players they already have.
Real Madrid have been fairly short-staffed in the forward department, with Luka Jovic being the only out-and-out option available.
He too, is likely to leave the club, after three unimpressive years, with a move to Fiorentina – initially on loan – looming, opening up a space for someone else.
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Real Madrid have been linked to various players in recent times to serve as a back-up to Benzema, but Ancelotti thinks they may already have the player they are looking for.
The two players Ancelotti sees as a back-up to the Frenchman are Rodrygo, who had a fine end to the season, and Eden Hazard, who had another difficult season in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid's plans may be sorted from within
Rodrygo ended the season with a starring role in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City, and scored nine across all competitions, his best return for the club.
Eden Hazard had another injury-troubled campaign, making 23 appearances across all competitions, but there’s a belief he can be more fit next season, as he looks to add some positivity to his Real Madrid career.
🤯 120 MINUTES OF MADNESS🤯
👉 @realmadriden 3-1 @ManCity 👈
⚽ 90' @RodrygoGoes
⚽ 90'+1' @RodrygoGoes
⚽ 95' @Benzema (p)#APorLa14 | #UCL pic.twitter.com/EusO2CVJ8z— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 5, 2022
In the past, Real Madrid were linked to other players to fill up that role, including Espanyol’s Raul de Tomas, who had a fine season with his side back in La Liga, netting 17 goals.
He even admitted his desire to return to the club where he started his career, but a move now seems unlikely after Ancelotti’s new vision.
The club’s plans were also perhaps altered by Kylian Mbappe’s refusal to join, after he extended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain and signed on until 2025.
The European champions have already completed one signing this year – that of Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco, bolstering their midfield options.
