The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

José Luis Mato Sanmartín or Joselu as he is commonly known, could well be the Spanish equivalent of French underrated Olivier Giroud.

Giroud, formerly of Montpellier, must have been a Balon D’or winner, that would be plausible if you look at his highlights reel.

In that reel, there have been some world-class goals, which would leave mouths drooling and the metaphoric tails wagging.

So, when I compare a 33-year-old journeyman who couldn’t do it on a cold night in Stoke (once his home stadium) to the AC Milan striker Giroud, I admit it’s a hard sell.

But there are some similarities, both have scored goals with teams that arguably are not the most fashionable in their leagues.

Montpellier did of course win Ligue 1 courtesy of Olivier Giroud’s goals, all 21 of them in 2012. This was the same year that Nene was doing his thing for PSG.

Why is this of note, because Joselu was the third-highest scorer in La Liga behind Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski, which there is no shame in.

Both men did well in their respective league goal-scoring charts, despite their being more illustrious names in the league.

The fact that Joselu didn’t score quite as many goals in England as he did in Spain, is a stick to beat him with, but the man has more Premier League goals than legendary Brazilian duo Ronaldo and Romario combined.

Don’t give me that those two didn’t play in the Premier League nonsense. You’re just being harsh on the former Stoke man.

In the case of Stoke strikers, they can go on to play for elite clubs, look at Eric Chupo-Moting. Well, I have to concede defeat that Joselu and Olivier Giroud are not of the same ilk.

But what can be argued is that, in his understated way, former Newcastle Joselu is going to be a key player for Los Blancos in the next few months.

Vinicius is out with a serious injury, and the 33-year-old has scored some crucial goals, none more so than last week’s winner against Real Sociedad, to go alongside opening the scoring against Getafe.

Simply put, when Vini Jr has not been in the team, José Luis Mato Sanmartín has stepped up with the goods.

Joselu is second in the Real Madrid goal-scoring charts. Maybe the 16 goals he scored last season were no fluke.

Come on admit it, you were sceptical when Real Madrid announced this deal. You were like, and Kylian Mbappe joining Los Blancos is going to be confirmed soon too?

Did you know the recently capped Spain striker started out at Real? Well, you do now!

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