Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has planned out a mapping of how he plans on replacing Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals next season.
Real Madrid are enduring their worst season in more than a decade whereas Cristiano Ronaldo, now of Juventus, also failed to make the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2010. A clash of two bad egos led to a downfall of things between what seemed to be a match made in heaven for a near decade on the European front.
More from Real Madrid
- Real Madrid dealt Eder Militao injury blow
- Jude Bellingham scores in Real Madrid debut
- Real Madrid facing uncertainty heading into new LaLiga season
- Real Madrid suffer Thibaut Courtois injury blow
- Joselu, the story behind the kid who dreamt of playing for Real Madrid
The Whites are third and realistically out of the league race and were sent crashing out of the Champions League by Ajax Amsterdam in the round of 16. In the Copa del Rey, the lost to Barcelona over two legs even though they were the better side. However, it is the result that matters and the Merengues are headed to a trophy-less season.
The scoring of goals has been a huge problem for them. Not that the defence has done too well however, but with the number of chances that have been created, the goals are sparse. According to Don Balon, Zinedine Zidane has been the first one to acknowledge the difficulties following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure and hence, he wants to make amends right away.
The French manager is extremely close to signing Eden Hazard from Chelsea. The Belgian has agreed personal terms with Los Merengues and his signing is inevitable. Hazard’s creativity will be something that will greatly benefit the Whites and his goal scoring touch will be an asset for them as well.
Secondly, with Gareth Bale’s exit being spoken of, Zidane wants Sadio Mane as his replacement. The Senegalese forward has a great burst of pace and will be beneficial to Real Madrid’s trademark style of counter-attacking gameplay. To round off the list, Zidane wants an association with his compatriot Paul Pogba.
All these potential arrivals will not mean that Karim Benzema has a reduced role though. The Frenchman will continue to be in the coach’s plans and he has shown that he can grab the spotlight if he is made the leading figure in the team. This season, Karim Benzema has scored 27 times in all competitions and will look to better his number next time out.
How much should Real Madrid spend in their bid to replace Cristiano Ronaldo?