Zinedine Zidane Discusses Potentially Dropping Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has hinted he could drop marquee attacker Cristiano Ronaldo and other members of the club's star-studded forward line if their problems in front of goal continue.

The form of prolific youngsters Marco Asensio and Alvaro Morata is reportedly putting Zidane under pressure to rotate some of his biggest names, most notably Ronaldo, according to Martin Domin of the Daily Mirror.

Zidane has insisted it's pressure he won't shirk, per Domin: "I'm not going to be unfair about it. But yes, I have to take decisions. I try and do what is best for everyone. Tomorrow you will see who plays."

The Frenchman was speaking at a press conference ahead of Los Blancos' upcoming match away to Alaves in La Liga. Real will enter on a four-match winning run, but Domin detailed how Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema have been outperformed by less heralded forwards, including winger Lucas Vazquez:

"

31-year-old Ronaldo is currently enduring one of the worst droughts of his time at the Bernabeu club, boasting just four goals this season in 768 minutes of play.

But the overall picture for the 'BBC' against the back-up 'MAL' is even worse.

While Bale, Benzema and Cristiano have netted 12 times in 2,395 minutes this season, Vazquez, Asensio and Morata have managed 13 in less time - just 1,839 minutes on the field.

"

At least Ronaldo appears perturbed about his drought in front of the net. Zidane confirmed the normally free-scoring No. 7 is getting emotional about not coming up with the goals, per Carlos Forjanes of Spanish publication AS: “He doesn’t seem anxious, but possibly angry. He wants to score goals and that’s normal. He’s unique in what he has done and what he does.”

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

It would take a very brave manager to actually make the move and ditch Ronaldo, particularly with the player once more in the reckoning for FIFA's Ballon d'Or award. More importantly, Ronaldo is still this team's talisman, even at 31.

The goals may be drying up a little at the moment, but the threat from the former Manchester United man remains both consistent and considerable. Los Blancos need his menace to make everybody else better.

It should also be noted how strong performances from up-and-coming talents such as Asensio and Vazquez needn't be seen as a problem for Real. After all, this is a club often chided for its lavish spending and for putting an instant-gratification, Galactico policy ahead of developing youth.

Los Merengues should be happy they finally have a a clutch of young talents capable of winning matches even when their main men are misfiring. Provided the increased options are managed right and kept happy, this will just makes last season's UEFA Champions League winners even stronger.