Real Madrid could be without their main striker, Karim Benzema in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey and possibly the league game against Granada. The Frenchman is expected to make his return sometime around the game against Villarreal and the medical staff is working hard to have him in the best possible shape for the clash against PSG in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.
He seemed to have suffered a muscle cramp and isn’t as serious as the medical staff expected. But, that doesn’t go to negate that Real Madrid has no decent cover for Benzema in case of an absence. The two backup strikers, Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz haven’t been useful to the club, and going into such a tough stretch of games depending on underperforming stars isn’t the right thing to do. That is why Real Madrid needs serious reinforcements in the center-forward position.
Real Madrid’s saga with Kylian Mbappe has continued with the current situation being very tricky, to say the least. There are now two options for Mbappe. First, to join Madrid as a free agent, and second, to accept a short extension and try and give something in terms of a transfer fee, back to PSG, the club that launched him to the world of footballing heavyweights. The ball is rightly in Mbappe’s court.
It thus makes enough sense for Real Madrid to keep its options open. And, Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland is an obvious choice. However, there are also a few other key reasons that signing Erling Haaland would make sense for Los Blancos. And, one very important reason is to have a target man inside the box for all of Real Madrid’s crossers and playmakers.
Erling Haaland is a proper Hitman inside the box
Carlo Ancelotti recently admitted that Real Madrid lacks targets inside the box and that Eder Militao is their best header of the ball. Benzema can score with his head but, he isn’t a conventional header of the ball. He is just so much more than a regular striker. Replacing him would be a big job for any player.
Kylian Mbappe can surely play in the striker’s role but he belongs much more on the wings. Therefore, a set of fans are of the view that Real Madrid shouldn’t really let go of the Erling Haaland pursuit even if Kylian Mbappe signs for free this summer. I am surely one of them. After repeated disappointments from Luka Jovic, the need for a proper backup to Karim Benzema is becoming more and more apparent. Moreover, the Frenchman is 34 years old right now. No matter at what level he continues saying NO to a talent like Haaland in lieu of depending on a 34-year-old striker wouldn’t be the ideal thing to do.
And, Haaland will also solve Real Madrid’s problem of not having a hitman inside the box in Benzema’s absence or alongside him. Benzema is more of a creative striker than someone completely depending on their scoring instincts. Haaland, however, would be Real Madrid’s best bet at acquiring a number 9 for the future with deadly predatory instincts. Alongside the talent brewing on the wings in players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Peter Federico, and possibly Kylian Mbappe, Haaland could easily be the one to round off Real Madrid’s future attacking trio.
At a towering presence of 194 cm, Haaland can easily reach the higher balls crossed into the box. He is good with his feet as well as his head. The Norwegian is becoming the most sought-after player in his position. This season alone, he has maintained over one goal per 90. The record accounts for 23 goals and five assists in 20 appearances, per WhoScored.
Real Madrid has assembled some brilliant crossers in players like David Alaba, Miguel Gutierrez, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior, and even Rodrygo Goes. But, we have been spectators to the fact that Real Madrid’s crosses have been totally ineffective this season and the reason is apparent. It has been a constant theme in games where the oppositions operated a low block. Real Madrid could never find a way through in the game against Cadiz. Against Elche, it was a penalty and a last-minute header from Eder Militao that rescued a point. Against Getafe too, it was a similar story.
The solution to this whole issue in my opinion is Erling Haaland. Real Madrid should indeed move for the hitman. They can get the edge over their primary competition, Manchester City, and Haaland’s convenient release clause situation makes the next summer’s window the best time to make a move. This is an opportunity Real Madrid shouldn’t let go of.