Benzema has been great for so long, but it’s time move on to City
For Karim Benzema, this is not an easy choice to make. He has loved his time at Madrid and has become a legend with them. Benzema has won so many domestic and European trophies in Spain, that it will surely be difficult to do the right thing, which is to go to Manchester City. Th Citizens would be unstoppable with the addition of the French number 9.
Pep Guardiola with Benzema is a scary thought, and after his time with Sergio Aguero, it would be a treat for the entire footballing community to watch what Pep could do with another brilliant striker of this generation. While it would be interesting on that interpersonal front, it would also be fascinating from the perspective of City in general.
How unstoppable might they look with a lineup featuring such ability and intellect from front to back?
Karim Benzema with Manchester City: Unstoppable Brilliance
It is difficult to think how City could improve more than they have since winning the Premier League last season and coming so close to winning the Champions League as well. But everyone will have to try their best.
With the massive acquisition of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa over the summer, this City outfit simply became even more intensely difficult to account for, as, when healthy, they will be able to roll out the likes of Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri, not to mention the likes of Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus and many others.
The team is simply stacked and getting Benzema, much like the work that Chelsea has done since it won the UCL over City, it feels very much like an embarrassment of riches for City. But it would be the correct move, for Pep doesn’t seem to have the trust for Jesus that many thought he might develop when Aguero was finally set to depart.
Benzema is most certainly a striker the boss can trust. His consistent numbers across a decade-plus in Spain attest to his mettle, sheer ability and will to perform. Should he be purchased and eventually slotted into the side, he will be in proverbial heaven as the entire team’s ability to pass will put him in easy positions to collect goals and assists.
While the player is aging, at 33 he still has some tread left on his tires, and Madrid would be wise to get rid of him while they can still get a solid return as they look to rebuild and contend under Carlo Ancelotti.
A Farewell to Madrid, and a Manchester welcome!
Madrid are not terrible, but neither Madrid nor Barcelona are the same teams they once were. If Atletico Madrid do not win La Liga again this season, it will be another team like Real Betis, Real Sociedad, or even Sevilla. This is good for the sport and the league as it is unhealthy for one or two teams to dominate so thoroughly for so long, no matter how popular the teams become.
While Ronald Koeman was unable to steady the ship at Barcelona, Ancelotti, another former Everton boss, has been able to. Madrid are going to be in the next round of the UCL and are leading a cramped and crowded La Liga too. But that doesn’t mean he should keep either Benzema or Gareth Bale.
And while Bale is a discussion for another day, Benzema remains the topic of this piece. He must be sold and the money must be taken and reinvested in younger, more talented players. There is no question Benzema is worth keeping around, but since Madrid are looking to stay relevant, as opposed to how Barcelona have become, they will have to keep innovating before they’re caught by time and complacency.
Meanwhile, the Frenchman will get to win more trophies in a new setting, with a new team and in a new league. Benzema is a tough, physical player, and I think he would thrive in the Premier League. This is where Pep and City have to come in, and they must do it in the January window. Without him, it will be difficult to catch Chelsea while Liverpool will be near the top by the end of this season given how well they’ve played.
And so, we will have to wait to see how this saga plays out. Should City try for Benzema, they will be adding firepower at the right time, and to the proper part of their team to make a serious run at trophies both domestically and in Europe.