BEN AND GONE
How Chelsea could line up with Karim Benzema as former Real Madrid legend ‘submits formal request’ to leave Al-Ittihad
Coaches were unable to contact the Frenchman for 10 days and returned late from a holiday
CHELSEA are reportedly keen to sign Karim Benzema on loan amid the Frenchman's stand-off with Saudi club Al-Ittihad.
The former Real Madrid striker only joined the Saudi Pro League side last summer, but already wants to leave.
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Benzema, 36, is claimed to have had a bust-up with club management including boss Marcelo Gallardo during a meeting last Friday.
According to the , the former Ballon d'Or winner wants to leave Al-Ittihad "temporarily" amid the "pressure" he feels at the club.
The veteran has been made to train alone after returning to training 17 days late.
It's also claimed that Al-Ittihad have offered to loan him to another Saudi club, but Benzema, who reportedly earns a staggering £1.6m a week, has snubbed the possibility.
This could open the door to Chelsea, who are believed to be interested in taking Benzema on loan until the end of the season.
The Blues will face a battle to get their man, however, with Al-Ittihad's owners the Saudi Public Investment Fund being extremely reluctant to let Benzema leave - particularly following Jordan Henderson's move from Al-Ettifaq to Ajax.
Signing Benzema would add great experience to Mauricio Pochettino's forward line.
Prior to the Africa Cup of Nations, Nicolas Jackson had been the Argentine's main man up top.
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The 22-year-old has managed eight goals in 23 appearances in all competitions, but at times seems a little chaotic as he gets used to the Premier League.
Armando Broja, meanwhile, is still finding his feet after recovering from a serious injury and has scored just twice in 18 games.
Chelsea sit ninth in the Premier League table, 12 points off the top four.
But club chiefs may feel a forward of Benzema's experience and pedigree may help to fire them up the table.
Pochettino, 51, tends to favour a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, with Benzema potentially the perfect man to lead the line.
Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer have been playing off the front-man this season.
But when Christopher Nkunku finally beats his injury woes, he could link up with his compatriot going forward.
Conor Gallagher can provide bombing runs from midfield, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo continuing to build a partnership at the base.
Ben Chilwell's return to fitness is a huge boost to Pochettino, while he will hope to get Reece James back at some point.
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The former Tottenham boss can pick from Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile at the back, and he will hope to eventually get Wesley Fofana fit again.
Djordje Petrovic has performed well in goal and could keep his place ahead of Robert Sanchez when the Spaniard returns to fitness.
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