Ancelotti Admits Real Need to Sign New Striker While Discussing Benzema’s Future

• Karim Benzema scored three hat-tricks in April, taking his goal tally for Real Madrid to 350
• Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Madrid needed to find a new striker as Benzema was getting older
• Los Blancos have endured a difficult season thus far in La Liga, and trail Barcelona by 11 points

Real Madrid will begin the search for a new striker.

Speaking ahead of Madrid's upcoming game against Real Sociedad, manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that the club will begin looking for a new number nine.

Los Blancos only have Karim Benzema in the squad as an out-and-out striker and have used Marco Asensio and Rodrygo as makeshift replacements when Benzema has been injured.

The French star has spent more time on the injured list this season, often leaving the La Liga champions without a central point of attack.

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As noted by Football Espana, Ancelotti discussed the need for a new striker, while also talking about Benzema's future. The Frenchman is currently 35.

“The project for the future of the club is to sign a number 9 because Karim is the age he is. But Karim is doing very well up until now, and while he is in good condition, it’s working very well," he said.

Benzema has been hampered by injuries this season but has still been impressive whenever he has been fit. As noted by Transfermrkt, he has played in 37 games in all competitions for the club, scored 29 goals so far and notched up six assists.

Hat-tricks galore in April

The Ballon d'Or winner has also been on fire in April, scoring three hat-tricks during the month. The Mirror noted that Benzema scored three hat-tricks in eight games during the month, scoring against Almeria, Real Valladolid and Barcelona.

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His impressive showing during April also saw him reach 350 goals as a Madrid player. While Ancelotti admitted that Benzema has ups and downs, he also conceded that Madrid's issues were not to do with the attack, but rather their defence.

"It's true to say that in the last two years, the problem has not been the forwards,” he commented.

Madrid have experienced a mixed bag of form in La Liga this season and trail Barcelona by 11 points with six games to go.

Benzema’s La Liga milestone

Karim Benzema etched his name in the history books with a stunning first-half hat-trick against Almeria recently.

The hat-trick saw the Real Madrid attacker surpass Hugo Sánchez as the fourth-highest scorer in La Liga history, Sports Brief previously reported.

Prior to his latest milestone, Benzema had failed to score in his last three La Liga matches but effectively snapped his mini-goal-scoring drought after just five minutes.