Advantage Chelsea: Manchester United turn down the chance to sign Karim Benzema
As exclusively revealed by the Sun, Manchester United have turned down the chance to sign former Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema. This puts Chelsea in the driver’s seat, should they go ahead with their interest in signing the French striker.
It’s not the first time Chelsea’s name has been mentioned when it comes to Benzema’s future. This is according to Evening Standard who have also mentioned Arsenal as potential suitors for the player. The harsh realities of the move to the Saudi Pro League have really affected Benzema.
The 36-year-old has 12 goals and five assists in 20 appearances across all competitions (Transfermarkt). Whilst those numbers actually don’t make for such bad reading, the reality of the situation is quite different. Being the class act that he is, he has continued to find the back of the net despite his off-pitch struggles.
About a year ago at the same time, the footballing world were in for a shock when Cristiano Ronaldo secured a high-profile transfer to the SPL. Over the course of the following summer, many high-profile names followed in his footsteps to join the moneyball league. There were cries of this representing the death of European football. However, slowly yet surely, the harsh realities have started to kick in.
It’s obvious, Benzema wants to return to Europe. Chelsea need an experienced striker who could find the back of the net, blindfolded. It seems like a match made in heaven. Is it a marriage waiting to happen though?
What does the data tell us?
Well, data doesn’t need to tell us that Chelsea have struggled to score goals this season. The lack of efficiency in front of goal in the form of Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja means, despite creating a truckload of chances, the Blues have managed to score just 35 goals from 286 shots in the league so far.
Data tells you a story. What data tells you here is the mere fact that whilst Nicolas Jackson is undoubtedly talented and has all the markings of a top-class striker, Benzema is just that much more clinical at the moment.
The need for Chelsea to sign Benzema is manifold. The first thing is on a sporting level. The Frenchman can be the short-term solution to Chelsea’s lack of goals. With someone like him spearheading the attack, the Blues could make an unlikely push for the top four.
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The second positive would be the mere fact of how much someone like Jackson or Broja can learn from the veteran striker. On the right terms, this would be a sensational signing for Chelsea. Only time will tell if we manage to pull it off though.