Cristiano Ronaldo has a mission at Real in the medium term: to become the team's centre forward. The club is convinced that the Portuguese player is their future number '9'. They see it as an obvious choice. It is just a matter of time before we see the number '7' make the change to '9'.

The plan has been on the cards for a while now. No connection to the last two games in which Cristiano has been hitting the back of the net from higher up the field than usual. However, a fact that does back up the number '9' theory the club has been looking at.

Real understand that it would be a natural evolution for Ronaldo to end up as a centre forward. The Portuguese star turns 30 next January and they realise that, as the years pass, it will be better for him to be near the area.

Moving in from the wing to the sharp end of the attacking force will not prove a problem for a player with the whole goalscoring medley in his arsenal. "He's tall, strong, good in the air, fires the ball in on either leg... He has everything needed to be a great centre forward", the club have pointed out.

More than having a great '9', they are convinced they will have the best. Cristiano would not only be close to the area, where he will prove lethal, he would also conserve his energies.

Putting CR7 in further forward provides Ancelotti with new options, which could also serve to strengthen the midfield. With Cristiano as striker, the coach could benefit from an attacking midfielder such as Isco, or even up the stakes in defence with a player like Illarramendi.