White Wolf? Is Raul Jimenez The Solution to Real Madrid’s Woes?
Recent reports have linked Raul Jimenez to Europe’s heavy hitters, the latest team, Real Madrid. The question then arises, would a move to Real Madrid be beneficial for both the team and Jimenez? Let’s take a look and see if this move would work.
Scoring Woes
Real’s goal-scoring woes have been widely reported this season, having Benzema and Sergio Ramos being the only two players to score double-digit goals. Luka Jovic and Eden Hazard have failed to live up to their transfer fees only scoring three goals between them.
Similarities
Looking at stats, Jimenez and Benzema are eerily similar. Both scored 27 goals this season and both had double-digit assists, Benzema having 11 and Raul 10, with Jimenez playing seven more games than Benzema. Both are comfortable in the air and dropping back to help in build-up play and can find teammates in scoring situations.
Zidane’s Tactics
In his first stint as Real Madrid manager, Zidane’s preferred formations included two forwards in Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. With Benzema dropping to create more spaces for CR7 and allowing Real’s wide players to overlap and dominate the wings. Since Ronaldo’s departure, Zizou has struggled to find a partner for Benzema up top, with the aforementioned Jovic, failing to regain form and Hazard having injury troubles since his arrival.
Would It Work?
In short, yes. Jimenez would be the ideal player to rotate with Benzema, and Real wouldn’t lose much production while giving him a rest. However, if Zidane plays both players together they can make Real’s offense click. While it may seem playing with two identical players would clutter the team, Benzema and Raul’s soccer IQ and experience would work. Jimenez has shown the intelligence to drop or stay up at the proper times at Wolve’s, and the constant movement between him and Benzema would confuse opposing defenders. Raul’s inclusion would allow an aging Kroos, Casemiro, and Modric to stay back and help with the build-up and open spaces for Madrid’s speedy wing players, solving both defensive and build-up issues Zizou’s men would have.
