Benzema changes Real Madrid's plans: Hazard, Pogba and no number '9'

Real Madrid are working to have the squad they want in time for next season. According to 'AS', the board has already listened to Zidane's requests. Despite that, the coach does not want to talk about a revolution and asked for time to see what and who he could keep looking ahead to the new project. And there are apparently doubts over whether a goalscorer is needed because Real Madrid lost a lot of firepower upfront when Cristiano Ronaldo left.

Although the team have struggled to score in various stages of this season, Benzema has made the club think that another number '9' is not needed. The Frenchman is not having his best season in terms of scoring goals, but he has scored 26 goals in 48 matches and he is saving the team on many occasions. Benzema has only scored four goals less than the amount he scored in the whole of the 2011-12 season and two less than the 2015-16 campaign.  In addition, he is going through a great spell: he has scored six goals in the last five games. He is proving his worth in Real Madrid's most difficult season. 

Having been heavily criticised for his lack of goals and for his lack of commitment for Real Madrid, the number '9' is proving to be the ray of positivity for the club. Benzema has changed his role after being the perfect strike partner for Cristiano, the man who was contributing with his play and not by scoring goals. He was the ideal teammate for a natural goalscorer like Cristiano Ronaldo. This season, without the Portuguese star at his side, the Frenchman has shown more interest in showing and has become Madrid's main man for finding the net.

Therefore, according to 'AS', the Real Madrid board have understood that there is no better number '9' in the market at a reasonable price. Real Madrid would contemplate as a first option a reliable '9' to assist Benzema, but not a star. It would have to be a striker who would willing to sometimes take a back seat.

What Real Madrid do want, according to 'AS' is sign players who can contribute in attack without being a goal poacher in the penalty area. The favourites for this role are Hazard and Pogba. 

The Belgian, who is apparently close to being signed by Real, scores 0.25 goals per game. Pogba has 0.21.