Who’s the striker of the future for Real Madrid?

The latest Antione Griezmann story in Managing Madrid has me thinking about what the future looks like for Real Madrid and its lead attacker. What the word future means is different to every person. When I think about the word future, in relation to a team like Real Madrid, I mean the next five years. Anytime beyond that time period is just a bit difficult to think about, especially in a team with transfer turnover like Real Madrid.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “El Classico is coming up this week, and this guy decides to write about transfer possibilities!?”

My response: “THE SILLY SEASON NEVER ENDS!”

So without further ado, let’s dive into a few of the possibilities for who could possibly be leading the Madrid attack for the next few years. Then, you guys will get a chance to weigh in as usual.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Harry Kane

At some point Tottenham has the fire sale right? There’s eventually going to be a reckoning in London when its realized that despite having one of the best up and coming young cores in the Premier League, they still haven’t won the league. It certainly doesn’t look like it’ll happen this season, and it remains unclear if the core of the team will stick around next season take a shot at the title.

Whenever the fire sale does happen, Real Madrid will likely be in the conversation for players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and maybe more. Harry Kane could be the perfect piece to add to Real Madrid. With excellent hold up play and a superb ability to fire snap shots at goal from ridiculous angles, he could provide a goal scoring ability that could see benefits in Madrid for years to come.

Karim Benzema

I don’t claim to be a Benzema hater or extreme supporter. I enjoy taking the position that he’s a really solid striker with great strengths and some flaws. At some point he won’t be the best choice to lead the Madrid attack. Whether or not that’s now, or in a few years is unclear.

What is clear is that at 30-years-old, he likely won’t be the first choice for Real at striker in five years. But he could remain the striker for the next few seasons. Personally, I don’t believe the relationship with Madrid will last much longer, but I’ve been drastically wrong before so I wouldn’t take my word for it.

Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Robert Lewandowski

Despite being 29-years-old, Robert Lewandowski has been linked with Real for a few years, and yet it hasn’t happened. While the transfer makes sense if Real are simply looking for a boost in the next few years, the targets that keep coming up in transfer reports seem to be younger. This move would be one of the most fantasy heavy moves possible for Real Madrid.

This doesn’t seem all that realistic, or incredibly smart for Real to build the next five years on RL9. But nevertheless, the rumors will likely stay piling on.

Antoine Griezmann

Moving for Antoine Griezmann is actually somewhat realistic. Now that Barcelona and Atletico are in a bit of a tussle, Griezmann moving sides in the capital city has opened up a bit further. At 26-years-old Griezmann would fit the bill for the next five years at Real.

Seeing Griezmann in the Real rotation would be incredibly fascinating. While he’s been successful at Atletico, its felt like in a more open style of play he could flourish even more. Real Madrid would be able to facilitate Griezmann’s style in the attack in ways that most clubs in world couldn’t, making this move a bit more feasible for Los Blancos then it appeared last summer.

If I had it my way, the choice would come to Griezmann and Kane. Who Real would choose between those two players purely depends on tactical decisions and where the club wants to be from an attacking perspective in the years to come.

I would take the risk on Harry Kane. The risk is greater with Kane then moving for a proven commodity in La Liga in Griezmann, but Kane is younger and the more pure striker. The payoff could be massive, or he could be a disspointment. But that’s football, choosing your club’s own risk profile in the transfer market. Sometimes expanding your risk profile is more acceptable at a club like Real Madrid, this scenario could be one of those times.

Who do you guys think is the striker to lead the Madrid attack for the next few years?