Real Madrid do not have much squad depth. That is no secret. But that has not stopped them from being runaway leaders in the La Liga title race and one of the favourites to win the Champions League once again. That is down to how the players and the coaching staff have stepped up to the plate time and again.
One player who has exceeded all expectations is Joselu. The Spaniard is the only recognised striker in the Real Madrid squad right now.
With Karim Benzema leaving in the summer, Joselu had big shoes to fill. He was brought in on loan for the season from Espanyol. And while he has not become the focal point of the team, he quite certainly has delivered whenever called upon to do so.
That has caught the eye of other top clubs as well. Manchester United are believed to be one of them. But it looks like Joselu will be prioritising staying at Real Madrid over a move anywhere else.
Real Madrid player ready to reject Manchester United offer
As reported by Fichajes, Joselu would be leaning towards a permanent move to Real Madrid rather than considering the offer from Manchester United, who have shown keen interest in him. He wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
What many might not know is that this is Joselu's second spell at Real Madrid. During his first one, he was a standout at the Castilla level but never got a proper chance in the first-team.
Now, at 34 years of age, he is finally showing what he is capable of in a Real Madrid shirt. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he has scored 13 goals and provided 3 assists in 39 appearances and 1616 minutes of football this season.
That means he is contributing to a goal every 101 minutes. That is a good return for any player, especially one who is not a regular starter and has to do with minutes off the bench quite often.
There is believed to be a modest option to sign permanently in Joselu's deal. And despite him being 34 years of age, Real Madrid should consider activating it.