Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to start summer signing Joselu at the weekend, following an injury to Vinicius Junior.
Los Blancos are in the middle of an injury crisis, with Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler and now Vinicius all unavailable, and Ancelotti now has a decision to make.
A report from AS has claimed that the Italian is keen to see how well Joselu will link up with fellow new signing Jude Bellingham, and he will hand the 33-year-old a chance to prove himself against Getafe on Saturday.
It is unclear whether this will mean Joselu directly replaces Vinicius in a front two in the current diamond formation, or if Ancelotti will revert back to a 4-3-3 with Rodrygo and perhaps Brahim Diaz or Fede Valverde on the wings.
Joselu’s long-awaited chance
Joselu originally departed Real Madrid in 2012, and after a career which has seen him play all over Europe, including in the Premier League, he finally has a chance to shine at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Spain international was the third-top scorer in La Liga last season for Espanyol, with his 16 strikes only bettered by Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski, and this came at a side who were relegated.
His physical presence upfront could help create more space for Bellingham and Rodrygo to thrive against Getafe, and Bellingham’s four strikes so far have made him La Liga’s top scorer this season.
Joselu was impressive in pre-season, scoring an acrobatic bicycle kick in a friendly against Manchester United, and he now deserves this opportunity, with Vinicius set to be absent for around six weeks after he limped off in the win at Celta Vigo.
Real Madrid are not signing a striker this summer after another failed pursuit of Kylian Mbappe, and the club have shown great faith in trusting Joselu as a first-team player this season.