Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most devastating attackers in world football. Is this his new role at Los Blancos?
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Last season, the Portuguese forward scored 25 of his 42 goals from the left side of attack, with his other 17 strikes coming from a more central position.
Due to this and analysis from the club's coaching staff, Ronaldo will mainly be used down the middle this season, according to Marca.
Zinedine Zidane has also experimented with four across the midfield and two up front, as seen at times last season and during pre-season, which could see him opt for this tactic in the 2017/18 campaign.
With Ronaldo getting on in age, he is expected to take up more of a striker's role, where he could play next to long-time teammate Karim Benzema.
The Portuguese is also believed to be comfortable playing as a No. 9 as he will still be allowed to drift to the left and cause problems for defenders, as he did against FC Barcelona in his Spanish Super Cup cameo.
Marco Asensio's rise could also make the decision easier for Zidane as he is likely to feature in midfield often this season, with Isco and Gareth Bale being the manager's other attacking options.
Real were heavily linked with Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe, but after Zidane decided his squad was filled with enough talent in all areas, he has seemingly decided not to go for the 18-year-old.
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Despite several reports linking Ronaldo with a move away from Real, he is believed to be happy at the club, for whom he has scored 407 goals in 396 matches since moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2009.
Do you think Ronaldo will be lethal as a centre forward? Let us know in the comments section below.
