Real Madrid News
Benzema vs Lewandowski: Thomas Muller takes his pick in the debate
Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski are two of the best strikers in the game currently without a doubt.
Benzema is coming on the back of his career-best campaign during 2021/22 which saw him spearhead Real Madrid to the La Liga title, the UEFA Champions League glory and the Spanish Super Cup as well, while Los Blancos also won the UEFA Super Cup under his captaincy.
The 34-year-old was named the UEFA Best Player of the Year and is the top contender to win the Ballon d’Or later this year.
Lewandowski, meanwhile, enjoyed another sensational campaign in 2021/22 as he hit the 50-goal mark across all competitions, on his way to winning yet another Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich.
The Poland captain then moved to Barcelona in the summer and has carried on in his merry goalscoring ways, even netting a hat-trick on his Champions League debut for the Catalan giants.
Without a doubt, Benzema and Lewandowski are at the top of the pile even though they are 34 years old, sparking a debate as to who is the better among the two.
And Bayern Munich superstar Thomas Muller has had his say on the matter, picking his former teammate Lewandowski over Benzema. However, the German ace did acknowledge the Real Madrid superstar’s extraordinary season last time out.
Speaking to ESPN UK, Muller said: “Benzema or Lewandowski? I have to go for Lewandowski, but Benzema had a very good season, he’s a very good player.”
Benzema and Lewandowski will come face to face when Real Madrid host Barcelona for the first El Clasico of the season at the Bernabeu in October. It will certainly be interesting to see who among the veteran strikers comes out on top in the battle.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
