General director backs Karim Benzema to settle at Real Madrid
Jorge Valdano, the general director of Real Madrid, has said striker Karim Benzema will succeed in settling in the Spanish capital despite his failure to do so since joining last summer.
Benzema, hailed as one of French football's greatest prospects, joined Real from Olympique Lyonnais for a fee of 35 million euros ahead of last season.
The striker bagged eight goals in 27 league appearances during his first season with the team, failing to live up to the fans' expectations. This season, the 22-year-old has only one goal in nine appearances,
but Valdano said he believes the powerful striker is due to find his form for Real.
"He is still a very young player and not everyone settles in quickly," the 55-year-old said, adding that not everyone can be expected to settle in as quickly as some of the team's more recent signings
have. "Sometimes players mature in months, like Mesut Oezil or Angel Di Maria, and in other cases, by nature, they take longer to develop. The technical ability of Benzema is undeniable, and he will start showing it soon."
Cup could provide Benzema's chance to shine
When Valdano's team face Real Murcia in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, 26 October, Benzema is likely to be in the starting lineup.
Jose Mourinho has favoured Gonzalo Higuain in Real's attack this season, but the team's first cup fixture will give the Frenchman a chance to impress his new manager.
Last season, Real suffered a 4–0 shock defeat to AD Alcorcon in the fourth round of the domestic cup. Valdano said the club will be mindful not to make an early exit in this year's tournament.
"We do not forget what happened last year. Neither the club nor the players want to relive an episode like this. The team has a capacity for great effort, and we will play the game in the way we know best."
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