Real Madrid Transfers: 10 Strikers Who Would Thrive Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo
The soccer season in Europe is quickly coming to an end, and that means summer transfers are just around the corner. As usual Real Madrid is most likely going to have their checkbook out and ready to dish out some Euros to fill in some spots on the squad.
Jose Mourinho has stressed that the striker position needs improvement. In his desire to get a new striker in the transfer period in January, Real Madrid landed a loan deal with Manchester City for Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor.
With Real Madrid still having a valid chance at UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey titles, their performances in those competitions can dictate who Los Galacticos will go after. With their respectively good campaign thus far, only silverware marks the symbols of success for Los Blancos and their followers.
Here are 10 players who can thrive along Cristiano Ronaldo.
Didier Drogba
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Full Name: Didier Yves Drogba Tébily
Date of Birth: 11 March 1978 (age 33)
Place of Birth: Ivory Coast
Height: 1.89 m (6'2.5")
Current Club: Chelsea
Didier Drogba is a pure finisher. There is no question that he is one of the deadliest strikers in the game today, and any coach would love to have him on the front line of their squad. Already having a good standing relationship with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, they have always talked about reuniting.
His speed, touch, composure and finishing makes him an elite striker who would undoubtedly knock home some scores with crosses from Cristiano Ronaldo. Already gracing the cover of Vanity Fair with Ronaldo, could the two grace the pitch at Santiago Bernabeu together as well?
Carlos Tevez
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Full Name: Carlos Alberto Tevez
Date of Birth: 5 February 1984 (age 27)
Place of Birth: Argentina
Height: 5'8" (1.73 m)
Current Club: Manchester City
Carlos Tevez is a work horse. Every single time you watch a game where he is on the pitch, you will see him running and tiring out defenses the entire time. His work ethic and leadership also make him a gem in between players. His scoring abilities are unmatched, and he has an extreme amount of strength.
A good candidate for the middle of the Real Madrid formation, his Argentinian nationality can contribute chemistry with fellow compatriot Gonzalo Higuain. Only 27 years of age, he still has a lot to offer any team he graces the colors of.
Although he will have a hefty price tag, Madrid has made it clear money is not a problem.
Sergio Aguero
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Full Name: Sergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo
Date of Birth: 2 June 1988 (age 22)
Place of Birth: Argentina
Height: 1.75 m (5'9")
Current Club: Atletico Madrid
Sergio Aguero is a young talented striker who would be a lovely match with Cristiano Ronaldo. Only 22 years old, the Argentinian striker seems to be a perfect fit for Los Blancos. His chemistry with fellow Argentine Gonzalo Higuain could be a factor as well as his experience and success in Spanish La Liga already.
He is a predator in front of goal and has clinical finishing. His ability to come back for the ball would work well with Jose Mourinho, and his skill in front of net would add assist tallies from the foot of many Madrid players.
Although Aguero plays for the crosstown rivals, his skill has not gone unnoticed at the Bernabeu, and he could be seen donning the white jersey next season.
Fernando Llorente
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Full Name: Fernando Llorente Torres
Date of Birth: February 26, 1985
Place of Birth: Spain
Height: 1.95 m (6'5")
Current Club: Athletic Bilbao
Fernando Llorente has worn the colors of Bilbao since 2004 and presented a complete package of a striker. The Spanish international combines size (height) and speed to make defenders work twice as hard when covering him.
He has been on Real Madrid's radar for quite some time now, and especially this season after the goal-hungry Spaniard's scoring pace. His ability off the ball and heading game can be matches made in heaven with Cristiano Ronaldo.
A favorite for the team, can we see the 26-year-old in a Galactico uniform?
Javier Hernandez
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Full Name: Javier "Chicarito" Hernández Balcázar
Date of Birth: 1 June 1988 (age 22)
Place of Birth: Mexico
Height: 1.75 (5'9")
Current Club: Manchester United
Chicarito has lit up the pitch at Old Trafford this season. There is no doubt that he is a bundle of skill and can potentially become one of the greatest players in the game. Already nominated by Jose Mourinho as "a perfect match" for Real Madrid, the Mexican striker would be just that.
His skill, perseverance, pace, finishing and vision are incredible. The speedy youngster could fare well in Spain with the country speaking his natural language. He has saved Manchester United this season in the late dire minutes at least three times this season, being somewhat of a super-sub turned starter.
His skill and potential can only be increased alongside a player like Cristiano Ronaldo. Will United let another superstar go to Los Blancos?
Fernando Torres
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Full Name: Fernando José Torres Sanz
Date of Birth: 20 March 1984 (age 27)
Place of Birth: Spain
Height: 1.83 m (6'0")
Current Club: Chelsea
Fernando Torres is a very, very long shot. His recent transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea is proving to be somewhat of a fluke. His morale is down and he is not the same player he is on Spain and at Anfield. He is a great option to just consider bringing to his home country of Spain.
His pace, touch and deadly vision for goal make him a weapon against any opposing team. With his confidence low and Chelsea's patience running empty, Real Madrid could swoop on him, and what better person to regain your game under than Jose Mourinho?
He is a regular on the Spanish international side and in time may be a regular in Madrid as well.
Samuel Eto'o
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Full Name: Samuel Eto'o Fils
Date of Birth: 10 March 1981 (age 30)
Place of Birth: Cameroon
Height: 1.79 m (5'10.5")
Current Club: Inter Milan
Samuel Eto'o is a classy striker. He makes finishing looks so easy and graceful that it looks like anyone can do it. An elite Cameroonian forward who has worn the colors of Real Madrid earlier in his career can resurrect that with reuniting with his former coach Jose Mourinho.
His success in Spain came with Mallorca and Barcelona after being top scorer for a few seasons. His stint in Inter Milan is going extremely well, notching a 2010 Treble with the Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia. He is undoubtedly Cameroon's best player.
Could he be a Galactico again, under the rule of Mourinho this time? Surely his spell would be a lot different this time with players like Ronaldo around him.
Robin Van Persie
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Full Name: Robin van Persie
Date of Birth: 6 August 1983 (age 27)
Place of Birth: Netherlands
Height: 1.87 m (6'2")
Current Club: Arsenal
Robin van Persie is such a creative striker. He is known for his dribbling and shooting techniques and is a set piece specialist. He has become an important player on whichever squad he appears, Arsenal or Netherlands, and proves to be a great player.
Although he has become prone to injury, his knowledge of the game is amazing as well as his shooting range.
Just food for thought for Mourinho, or the missing puzzle piece?
Alvaro Negredo
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Full Name: Álvaro Negredo Sánchez
Date of Birth: August 20, 1985
Place of Birth: Spain
Height: 1.86 m (6'1")
Current Club: Sevilla
Alvaro Negredo is an excellent choice for Real Madrid as his success in La Liga proves itself. The striker for Sevilla has been associated with the youth stages of Real Madrid but never had a call up.
He would be a safe choice, and although Negredo wouldn't be elite right away, he could find the necessary spaces to play well with the squad he has around him. Unselfish with the ball, he can distribute and makes runs in the box.
A long shot for Real Madrid, but definitely worth looking at his highlight reel.
Wayne Rooney
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Full Name: Wayne Mark Rooney
Date of Birth: 24 October 1985 (age 25)
Place of Birth: England
Height: 1.76 m (5'9")
Current Club: Manchester United
Save the best for last, they say. Wayne Rooney is absolutely brilliant. Everything you want in a player, from finishing to technique to passion and aggression. His style of play would go brilliantly in Spain, as it is guaranteed that he and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are former teammates, would man-handle defenses across the country.
His presence is unmatched. Rooney's commands and leadership are pivotal, and his drive and motivation has proved great for his country and club.
Mourinho has shown interest in adding Rooney before, and with the members he has behind him, anything is possible in Real Madrid.
