Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata are two strikers who have proved worthwhile in front of the goal. While Morata have taken hold of the transfer headlines due to his little appearance this season, Benzema’s under-performance this season brought about the discourse: ‘which of the two should remain at Bernabeu after this season.’
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is a top striker at Real. Once upon a time not too long ago, the Frenchman was one of the best striker in all of Europe. At just 29, he has been at the spotlight long before the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani etc were known.
Benzema has been a champion even before he moved to La Liga club in 2009. In 2008, he netted 31 goals in 52 appearances across all competition and propelled Lyon to win two domestic trophies. He was regarded as a Galactico when he moved to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2009.
Since he joined Real, he has produced nothing less than 20 goals every season, exempting his debut campaign, where he could only net 9 goals. His most rewarding season in term of goals was the 2011-12 season; the former Lyon man, picked up a whopping 32 goals across all competition, and led the Madridistas to claim the double.
Benzema has, however had to endure scathing disapproval from fans and pundit alike for his low work-rate and also from the Spanish media and his former managers. Former France coach, Laurent Blanc said in 2010, that Benzema’s performance is being undermined by his excess weight and he needs to shed some of it.
This season, Benzema has lost his confidence and has deprived Real Madrid of his prolific goal-scoring skill, having just 9 goals in La Liga despite being with a team that finds the net easily and about to take home their 33rd Liga title.
Coach Zinedine Zidane rotates his squad, but it is quite obvious Zizou have more preference for his Compatriot than our next topic of discuss.
Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata has spent a large part of his career with the Madridistas; the biggest club in his birth city. He broke into the Real Madrid first team under Jose Mourinho, but the young Spaniard did not last long in the first team under the Portuguese gaffer.
The 24-year old made more appearance for Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti, he even made a brief appearance in the 2014 Champions League final. However, Morata needed to feature more to build up his promising career and Juventus were ready to give him that on a platter, while Real Madrid delayed.
Despite not getting to feature as much as he has expected at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Castilla graduate has found the net much more than Zizou’s preferred man.
It’s more possible that Alvaro Morata will be the one to move out of the club in the summer. However, if he’s released out of Los Blancos, it’ll be another fatal mistake from Florentino Pérez and the Real Madrid hierarchy; just like selling Gonzalo Higuain was.