Debate: Should Chicharito displace Benzema as Madrid's main striker?

The France forward remains first choice for now, but the Mexican claims he has joined to be a starter at the Bernabeu following his summer move. Can he really do it?

By Ben Hayward & Paulina Grajeda

Only one will start. Karim Benzema is currently Real Madrid's first-choice striker and the Frenchman has recently put pen to paper on a new contract, but deadline day signing Javier Hernandez claims he hasn't moved from Manchester United to sit on the Bernabeu bench.

As at Old Trafford, Chicharito appears primed for a secondary role in Spain, providing back-up to Benzema following the sale of Alvaro Morata to Juventus earlier in the summer. The Mexican, however, has other ideas.

"Nobody trains to be a substitute," the Mexican striker said earlier this week. And he added: "I know they will put me up against Benzema, but I'm delighted to compete with him."

Benzema, meanwhile, has had his critics in recent times. The France forward has netted just once in five games this season and many Madridistas had hoped the club would move for Radamel Falcao at the end of the recent transfer window.

But Chicharito arrived instead and Benzema will remain first choice for now. But can the Mexican ultimately displace the Frenchman to become Madrid's main striker? Two Goal writers go head to head on the issue...

By Ben Hayward

If Carlo Ancelotti had wanted an out-and-out goalscorer to compete with Karim Benzema, he would have signed Radamel Falcao.

But Ancelotti didn't want Falcao. Instead, the Italian was keen to bring in a striker who would offer much-needed back-up without kicking up a fuss when he is left on the bench. Javier Hernandez is that man.

Chicharito has made the right noises about competing for a starting spot at the Bernabeu, but the Mexican striker is also willing to accept a secondary role and, as back-up to Benzema, is likely to receive many more opportunities than he did at Old Trafford last season - especially as Ancelotti plans to rotate as much as possible this term.

In any case, Ancelotti sees Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as Madrid's main goalscorers, with Benzema in more of a sacrificial role. The France forward is expected to score goals, but his principal task is to link up unselfishly and provide chances for the other two.

Few other centre-forwards would be able to do that so effectively and Falcao is a different type of striker - much more of a goalscorer than a provider.

So too is Chicharito and the Mexican will be expected to improve his all-round game at the Bernabeu, but he is highly unlikely to threaten the Frenchman's starting spot.

Benzema signed a new long-term contract in the summer and Ancelotti has stood by his striker through recent criticism. "I am very happy with Benzema," he said after Madrid lost out to Atletico in the Supercopa de Espana last month. "He is useful to the team and we do not need another striker solution."

So Hernandez will be a useful alternative to give Benzema some time off over the course of this season and to come on late in games and test rival defences with his pace and goalscoring ability, but Ancelotti has long insisted that the Frenchman is his chosen striker and Chicharito cannot expect to change that - however many goals he scores.