Carlo Ancelotti has been warned ahead of the new season that Real Madrid need a new number 9 to fill the gap left by the exit of Karim Benzema.

Real Madrid signed Joselu on loan from Espanyol as a short-term back-up for Benzema, but the 33-year-old isn’t considered as a very potent striker.

While Real Madrid may or may not sign Kylian Mbappe this summer, Ancelotti is confident his side will do very well without a natural striker regardless.

According to Ancelotti, new signing Jude Bellingham can provide attacking threat from midfield.

“We have always played with a centre forward (that was Karim Benzema), who wasn’t always a static nine” Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

“But the system can be changed and adapted with the players we have [we can play without a number 9]. Jude Bellingham has arrived he can contribute a lot for us in the offence.”