The statistic that demonstrates Benzema's re-found importance

Four from four. The Frenchman has been ever present so far this season and that doesn't look like changing any time soon.

The 30-year-old has played every minute against Getafe, Girona and Leganes in the league as well as the Spanish Super Cup win over Sevilla.

Despite the question marks over him last season and the concerns as to whether he would be able to fill the rather large boots vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus, the former France international has quickly become a key part of new boss Lopetegui's plans at the Bernabeu.

Curiously, Benzema had never previously enjoyed so much game time at this stage of a season during his nine-year Real Madrid career. It must be said that the season is very much still in its infancy and he is likely to have a much harder job maintaining his place in attack now that Mariano Diaz is breathing down his neck, however, for now, his tally of four goals puts him level with a certain Lionel Messi at the top of the goalscoring charts.

It took Benzema until gameweek 25 last season to reach four league goals for the campaign, a clear sign of the confidence Lopetegui has instilled in him this season.