According to sources from AS, now that Vinicius Jr. is anticipated to be out until February 2024, the spotlight shifts to Joselu to take on the role of shouldering the goal-scoring responsibility for Carlo Ancelotti.
As a result of this, the Espanyol loanee, who is 33 years old, has performed well everytime he has been asked to do so. Furthermore, his recent performance for the Spanish national team against Cyprus, in which he scored a goal and assisted another, is something that the coaching staff of Real Madrid can take heart from.
It is important to keep in mind that the attacker moved to Madrid on loan during the summer of 2017, and it was immediately apparent from the moment he made his debut in the preseason that he would not be content to play a supporting role.
The ideal candidate for such a challenging role
Joselu has made it clear on several occasions that he intends to buy a permanent contract with Real Madrid once the term of his loan expires, and his play on the field shows this devotion.
Joselu has an amazing record of 16 appearances in 17 matches across all competitions. Of those games, he has started seven and finished four.
Notably, the 33-year-old has shown his ability to score goals by netting five goals and giving two assists during his matches. This demonstrates his goal-scoring capability. Four of these five goals were scored at the illustrious Santiago Bernabeu, while the other goal was scored in a victorious away encounter against Girona.
He not only scored, but he also assisted Jude Bellingham in a victory by the score of 3-0 thanks to this outstanding play.
While he has not yet scored in the Champions League, his recent play indicates that he is on the cusp of accomplishing this objective, and upcoming matches against Napoli and Union Berlin should provide the perfect setting for him to make his imprint on the tournament.
His involvement extends beyond only achieving objectives.
Joselu’s contribution is not limited to only scoring goals, and this becomes especially clear in the attacking third, where he often places himself between Real Madrid’s center-backs throughout the team’s offensive plays. Joselu’s effect extends beyond simply scoring goals.
His understanding of where teammates are positioned allows him to not only strengthen his own presence but also provide close assistance to teammates who enter the penalty box after he does.
This skill of his was shown to its fullest extent in Real Madrid’s triumph in the Clasico. It was his presence as a substitute, together with Luka Modric’s performances, that inspired the team to lengthen the game, impose control over possession in the middle, and finally establish superiority against Barcelona.