Real Madrid News
PSG defender praises Benzema: ’He is difficult to defend against because he is intelligent’
Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid’s best player by a mile over the past few years. Despite the ageing core and rapidly changing environment in the team, the Frenchman has delivered world-class performances week in and week out.
Unsurprisingly, Los Blancos’ slump in form coincides with Benzema’s injury. Though initially thought of as a small niggle, the French international’s recovery has not progressed well. This has put his participation in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 into doubt.
Ahead of their clash against the men in white, PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe has had only praise for Benzema and his role at Real Madrid. Speaking about playing against the striker, Kimpembe confessed that it was a difficult task (h/t UEFA).
“For me it’s difficult to defend on Benzema because he’s very intelligent in his movements, with his touches, he always avoids duels. He is a player who anticipates what is going to happen.”
He then revealed the protocol one must follow to successfully defend against Benzema and explained why it was difficult.
“To defend players like him, you have to anticipate or be on top of him as soon as he touches the ball. He has a very good vision of the game and he also knows his opponents well. He is a world-class striker, so it will not be easy to stop him.”
Benzema has travelled with Real Madrid to Paris. He feels he is ready and his body is well. The final decision will lie with Carlo Ancelotti, who well knows the risks of hurrying the player from his injury.
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.
