Five possible replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid
Will it be Neymar? Will it be Hazard? or anybody else? Only Florentino Pérez can tell.
Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus in a deal that shook the world. The talismanic figure for Portugal and Real Madrid has scored 450+ goals for the Spanish capital club and was the epitome of the club's values.
Ronaldo scored a lot and the Portugal captain took all the burden of finding the back of the net for the Los Blancos when other forwards were not there. With the transfer moving Ronaldo to Turin, Karim Benzema missing sitters and Gareth Bale uncertain of football throughout the season, Madrid President Florentino Perez would need to spend some cash and bring in a big name, someone who can fill in Ronaldo's boots either in the interim or in the long run.
1) Eden Hazard
The most probable name that could join the forwards' ranks of Real Madrid is that of Eden Hazard. Hazard is a long-time fan of the club. He has time and again been vocal about his admiration for the club and former manager Zinedine Zidane.
Hazard was the architect of most of Chelsea's attacks last season
Reports of a feeling of unrest between the forward and the current Chelsea manager Antonio Conte don't help the Blues' cause. Just before the World Cup semi-finals against France, Hazard reiterated that playing for Real Madrid has always been a dream. It will only be in the interest of the club to buy a talent like him, who has been open to joining them for quite some time.
With his recent performances at the World Cup and his drive to play as an inverted winger, he is a like-for-like player in place of Ronaldo.
2) Anthony Martial
Another Premier League forward who's unhappy with the club manager. Anthony Martial thinks he's not getting enough playing time at Manchester United and is considering a move away from Old Trafford. The deal, if it is penned down, would prove to be a beneficial one for all parties involved.
With the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, Martial's playing time has been limited
Real Madrid will get a forward on whom they can bank on for goals. On the flip side, Martial will get more playing time and most importantly, Manchester United would get some good money for a player who is clearly unsettled at the club.
3) Sadio Mane
The lightning-quick Sadio Mane is another Liverpool man who could be on the move away from Anfield. Mane is no alien to the Spanish capital club as the two went toe-to-toe against each other in the Champions League final this year.
The Senegal international scored one in the game and was at his best with and without the ball, impressing many. Moreover, his combination of pace and power would be ideal in the Spanish league, making him a great fit for Madrid.
The tributary video from Real Madrid
4) Kingsley Coman
At just 22, Kingsley Coman has already won league titles in France, Italy and Germany. A born winner, Coman is one of the most sought-after young talents in European football. The Bayern Munich winger was exceptional until he got injured last season, resulting in him missing the World Cup.
Coman would be desperate to make amends for the same by winning the biggest trophy in European football, the Champions League and to win it, Real Madrid are the team the youngster should join, as the Bavarians have time and again fallen short in their pursuit of European glory.
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5) Christian Pulisic
Arguably, the most gifted player the USA has ever produced, Christian Pulisic could well be a big name to Cristiano Ronaldo, an equally big name, but in different terms. Pulisic, is not at the level of Ronaldo yet, nor are his goalscoring exploits, but, at Madrid, the 19-year-old could become the cynosure of their attacking game and reach his much-talked about potential.
In Julen Lopetegui, Pulisic would find a coach who loves developing young talent and at the Santiago Bernabeu, he will get to experience the European glory that he's been missing at Borussia Dortmund because of their irregular participation in the competition.
The future of America is safe
Wildcard: Neymar
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]Neymar is someone Real Madrid have always been looking to sign. Although, the club from the Spanish capital have denied that they ever made a proposal for Neymar, it is a well-known fact that the two are long-time admirers of each other.
The Brazil captain has joined the ranks at Paris St.Germain only a season ago, and hence it is likely that the deal will not be penned in the near future. But, with Perez at the helm, one can never predict what is going to happen.
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