According to a recent report by L’Equipe (subscription required), Real Madrid are keen on acquiring the services of Wissam Ben Yedder from AS Monaco this summer (via The Daily Mail). However, the same source has also stated that Los Blancos will face fierce competition from Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in the race to sign the French striker when the transfer window reopens later this year (via The Daily Mail).
Ben Yedder’s Impressive Season In The French Top-Flight
The 29-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant campaign at the Stade Louis II after putting in a string of match-winning performances as the focal point of Robert Moreno’s attack. He has banged in 19 goals and grabbed nine assists in 31 appearances for the French giants this term in all competitions. Ben Yedder’s stats prove that he has been one shining light in what has been a disappointing season for Monaco thus far.
The Sarcelles-born attacker has averaged 2.5 shots, 1.7 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game in the Ligue 1 this season which sheds light on his incredible impact in France since joining from Sevilla last summer (stats via whoscored).
Ben Yedder has also secured eight senior caps for the French national team, scoring two goals for his homeland in the process. If the Ligue 1 goal-getter can find a way to maintain his good form in the upcoming campaign, then he should have a good shot of being selected by Didier Deschamps for next year’s UEFA European Championship finals after the competition got delayed due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
What Will The France International Bring To The Spanish Capital?
Ben Yedder can use his pace and agility to get into some promising areas inside the opposition penalty box. He possesses excellent ball control and a low centre of gravity that allows him to get the better of his marker in the final third. The Frenchman enjoys going on mazy runs with the ball and has proven himself to be an accomplished finisher in front of the opposition goal.
Plus, he has an eye for a killer pass which explains how he has bagged nine assists during this campaign. However, Ben Yedder needs to take care of the ball a bit better as evidenced by his mediocre pass completion rate of 74.9% in the Ligue 1 this season (stats via whoscored).
Will Ben Yedder Be A Wise Option For The Madrid Giants?
The Monaco star is currently playing the best football of his playing career and still has a few years left in his locker to perform at a high level. Hence, Los Blancos can expect to get the best out of Ben Yedder if they can find a way to win the chase to land him before the start of the new season. He will not only add a lot of goals and assists to Zinedine Zidane’s frontline but also provide some much-needed competition for Karim Benzema at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Luka Jovic has been disappointing with his performances this season after failing to compete with Benzema in the race to secure a regular starting berth in Zidane first-team. However, Ben Yedder will be a significant upgrade over Jovic as he has the experience and know-how to score goals consistently at the highest level. All in all, the Frenchman will be an intelligent option for Zidane to consider in this off-season as he will also serve as an ideal long-term replacement for Benzema, who is in the last legs of his football career.
