Even though there was no pure striker after Benzema's death, Ancelotti did not encounter any significant obstacles. Joselu doesn't have the character of other strong strikers, but he really helps the team and has proven it several times. I think that next season there will not be many changes in Real Madrid's attack line because Mbappe's arrival has also added quite a frightening strength and the wing striker position will still belong to Mbappe and Vinicius, and Belingham will still be used as a false nine player.
Benzema's death? What the ...?
Ancelotti did not encounter any significant obstacles, but I am sure that he didn't anticipate it would work out the way it did with Bellingham. At the same time he knew that this is not a solution for the long run. Hence, he decided to give it one season, make the best out of the team that he has and then bring in Mbappe. I believe that there was some agreement last season already. Otherwise they would have probably taken action and brought in some other striker in addition to Joselu. This way they took the risk with Joselu and gave it one more year until finally they have their desired center forward.
I believe we will see Mbappe play a center forward position quite often. Although it is very likely that he has a lot of freedom in the front line and he is allowed to play highly variably. Change positions, sides and so on. I am not sure whether Ancelotti believes that false 9 is Bellingham's best position. He did it well, but that doesn't mean it is his best position and it is not very likely that he will score 20 goals again. I think in a position that is a little bit more defensive, Bellingham can be even stronger and still has his impact on the entire pitch and team.
Real Madrid minus Benzema? Please. We're talking about a club that's practically a striker factory. They lose a legend; another one takes front stage. Real Madrid does it that way
Benzema was legendary. Still, let's not pretend as Real Madrid's whole game strategy revolved around him. They've got Vini Jr., an absolute electric eel on the pitch, and Bellingham, the young phenom with the composure of a veteran. These men represent the future, and Los Blancos has quite bright future
And when Mbappe joins the squad, they'll be unstoppable. Even so, they are force to be reckoned with even without him. Ancelotti possesses a chess grandmaster-style tactical awareness. He'll figure out a way to make it work, and they'll be lifting trophies again, no doubt about it