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5 players who could impress for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup

By Harry De Cosemo

coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madridduring the UEFA Champions League group F match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on December 07, 2016 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madridduring the UEFA Champions League group F match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on December 07, 2016 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 30: Mariano Diaz Mejia of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring Real's 3rd goal during the Copa del Rey last of 32 match between Real Madrid and Cultural Leonesa at estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 30, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 30: Mariano Diaz Mejia of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring Real’s 3rd goal during the Copa del Rey last of 32 match between Real Madrid and Cultural Leonesa at estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 30, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /

3. Mariano Diaz

This season started with uncertainty for Catalonia-born Dominican striker Mariano Diaz. After impressing throughout the pre-season tour of America, it was thought the 23-year-old, who scored 25 goals with the reserves last season, would be sent on loan elsewhere in LaLiga to hone his talents.

The likes of Las Palmas, Leganes and Sevilla were all rumoured to be interested, but Mariano was keen to stay having impressed a number of people at the club, including a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite a lack of opportunities, with Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Alvaro Morata ahead of him in the pecking order, he has remained.

He has since carved out a role for himself this season, scoring once in three appearances. Real will be favourites to win with the squad Zidane has taken to the competition, and Mariano has shown his goalscoring abilities at all levels he’s played. There could be a chance for him to get a run in the side in Japan and domestically in the new year.

Big name strikers like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Robert Lewandowski and Sergio Aguero have been linked, but if Mariano can take more chances as he has been, there may be no need for a new signing.

In the short-term, much like teammate Lucas Vazquez, he is benefitted by a long-term injury to Gareth Bale, meaning a spot in the team is up for grabs if he can perform well enough.

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