The Need for a No.9 Striker in Real Madrid's Squad: Solving Their Scoring Dilemma

After another defensive blunder in their final US tour match, Carlo Ancelotti couldn't hide his frustration. The team's defensive lapses were a cause for concern, but something more fundamental caught the attention of the fiery Italian manager— their inability to finalize chances.

Defensive Concerns vs. Scoring Shortcomings

During the US tour, Real Madrid conceded three goals each to AC Milan and Barcelona, and another three to Juventus. While these defensive shortcomings are alarming, Ancelotti's primary worry lies in the team's guaranteed inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Against Barcelona, the team had 29 attempts on goal but could only convert 4 shots on target. This trend continued in the match against Juventus, where more than 29 attempts resulted in a single goal via Vinícius Jr.'s penalty.

Current Strikerlineup and its Evaluation

Following the departure of Karim Benzema, Real Madrid brought in Joselu from Espanyol. However, it's safe to say that Joselu has not met expectations. While he scored a mesmerizing overhead kick against Manchester United, his contributions have been limited to that point. Ancelotti has been experimenting with different formations in the preseason, leading to sporadic results. A 4-4-2 setup with Vinícius and Rodrigo upfront did yield positive results, but pushing Vinícius up front diminishes his primary strength as a left winger.

Risks of Relying Solely on Joselu

Relying solely on Joselu to fill the No.9 role is a significant gamble. The pressure to perform for a club like Real Madrid can be overwhelming. If Joselu fails to score in the early stages, the critics will be quick to pounce. Ancelotti doesn't fully trust Joselu to lead the line for the majority of the season, which is evident from his experimentation and the reliance on Vinícius and other forwards.

Exploring Other Solutions

Adding a proven No.9 striker to the squad is crucial. Whether Kylian Mbappé is willing to play for Real Madrid as a center forward is debatable, but his prolific goal-scoring record speaks volumes. Mbappé has consistently demonstrated his skill in this role and his desire to join Real Madrid. He is a goal-scoring machine desperately needed by a team that has been struggling to convert opportunities.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The stakes are high, and time is running out. Real Madrid needs to make a bold move to secure a proven goalscorer, whether it's Mbappé or another forward. Failure to do so could mean missing out on the chance to compete for major honors this season. The clock is ticking, and Real Madrid must rise to the challenge to address their scoring dilemma.