Karim Benzema has become the forgotten man at the Bernabéu in recent times. The big-budget signings of the likes of Gareth Bale, James Rodríguez and Toni Kroos have seen the strikers stock at the club fall somewhat, despite coming off a solid 2013/14 season. There is even talk that the Frenchman will be offloaded to Liverpool who are desperately scrambling for a striker to replace Luis Suárez. Benzema might not be Suárez-calibre but he is certainly not far off, more than justifying his alleged boost to an 87 rating. Over the years Benzema has established a reputation as an immensely talented striker, capable of using his strength and speed to create space for a goal scoring opportunity. He is both a great finisher and capable of blasting it in from range, documented by his 24 goals in all competitions last season. Some of his best performances in recent memory were in Brazil for France. Very little was expected of the French team in the World Cup but they surprised many, decimating Honduras and Switzerland in the group stages. The Real Madrid striker was a pivotal player in these games, scoring in both and providing vital assists.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
