Luka Jović has struggled at Real Madrid since his €70million move from Eintracht Frankfurt last season. The 22-year-old had to adapt to his new environment and greater scrutiny as a big-money addition whilst understudying Karim Benzema who had the best season of his career.
The Serbian seems to have run out of chances, however, in their narrow 1-0 win over Real Valladolid after the kind of showing that emphasizes his need for a loan move away; with Man United reportedly showing interest among others.
After sitting out the La Liga opener at Real Sociedad, Jović was handed a return to the defending Champions in successive games where he partnered Benzema in a 4-4-2 diamond setup but failed to flatter. On Wednesday night against Valladolid, the striker spurned three chances and looked disinterested and short of confidence. He has now failed to score in 10 starts for Los Blancos having scored twice in 27 appearances last season.
0 – Luka Jović has failed to score in his 10 starts for Real Madrid in all competitions (14 shots, 3 shots on target). Disconnected. pic.twitter.com/5KXXninbje
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 30, 2020
Real Madrid depended on their defence once more against Valladolid as Thibaut Courtois got the Man of the Match award after making four saves.
When pressed on the possibility of a loan move for his target man, Zinedine Zidane said “You have to take everything into account. The market is open, We will see. The players are fine and that’s what interests me.”
Life without Luka
Jović was replaced by Vinícius Jr who scored what proved to be the winner seven minutes later. The Brazilian also fluffed his lines with two other chances, with a weaving dribble and poor finish summing up his unique talent and lack of cutting edge in the game’s final action.
There are growing worries about the striker position due to lack of competition for 32-year-old Benzema who remains fundamental to the team going forward. The more mobile Frenchman seems the perfect strike partner for Jović and is most suited to their deadly counter-attacks.
Thus far, Borja Mayoral is set to get his chance if Jović leaves but it remains to be seen if the Spaniard can step up to the required levels.
While the search for balance in attack is compounded by Eden Hazard’s injury setback, hero status is there for the taking in Zidane’s team. Luka Jović might just have lost his chance to be that man.
