After the departure of Karim Benzema this summer, Real Madrid were left with a dilemma as to who would fill the legendary Frenchman’s boots.
The club has been linked with a number of top strikers but it remains to be seen who they end up signing to lead the forward line for the years to come.
The club brought in Joselu on loan from Espanyol this summer. But he is viewed as more of a stop-gap striker and not a long-term solution. That is understandable as he is 33 years of age.
Both Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior have been more central this season in Carlo Ancelotti’s new 4-4-2 formation. The club’s results have been very good so far but that does not mean that everybody is happy with their new roles.
Rodrygo appears to fall under that category. He is a natural winger and not a centre-forward. The Br azilian had a slow start to the season but has been picking it up as of late.
As reported by AS, Rodrygo said while speaking on the Spanish radio station Cadena COPE:
"It’s complicated. The manager knows I don’t like playing as a ‘9', but I do it for my team and for him as well, because I believe in him. He knows it and we don’t have problems [about it] anymore."
"It’s an opportunity and an honour for me, but my characteristics don’t fit well for it. I don’t like playing with my back to goal, I like to participate in the play and as a ‘9' you don’t get as many touches of the ball. Vini and I are adapting to the situation."
Rodrygo certainly appears to have found his groove in recent weeks. He has registered three goals and three assists in the last two games.
The Br azilian is no doubt a cornerstone of the Real Madrid forward line for years to come and no doubt has a very bright future ahead of him. One can only hope that this is a short-term situation and he will be able to return to his preferred position in the near future when the club have signed their long-term striker.
Until then, the likes of Rodrygo and Vinicius have to try and make the best of the situation. They certainly seem to be doing that right now.