The Real Champs
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Real Madrid’s top five players from January

By Ben Sundock

Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos (R) celebrates his goal with Real Madrid's French defender Raphael Varane during the Spanish Super Cup semi final between Valencia and Real Madrid on January 8, 2020, at the King Abdullah Sport City in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos (R) celebrates his goal with Real Madrid's French defender Raphael Varane during the Spanish Super Cup semi final between Valencia and Real Madrid on January 8, 2020, at the King Abdullah Sport City in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 01: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid acknowledges the fans after the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 01, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 01: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid acknowledges the fans after the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 01, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) /

Karim Benzema

There should be little surprise or debate here.

Karim Benzema has been Madrid’s life-line in front of goal all season and he has shouldered the pressure phenomenally. In five appearances during January, Benz tallied two goals and maintained an average match rating of 6.72 according to WhoScored.

While his goal output may have seen a slight dip after the winter break, his sheer presence in the lineup causes opponents tons and tons of problems. When he’s not scoring, Karim is an expert playing as a false nine striker who drops deep into the midfield to help his teammates build up the attack.

Unlike Luka Jovic who has struggled to adapt to life in Spain, Benzema always seems to be in the right place at the right time. His leadership on the pitch and link up with Kroos and Luka Modric make him indispensable.

Could we be seeing Karim Benzema’s best year with the club at age 32? It’s looking more and more likely.

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