Jiménez vs Mitroglu

If you were only allowed to keep one of these Benfica strikers to continue on at the club who would you choose between Raúl Jiménez and Kostas Mitroglu?

Although, Jonas has been Benfica's (and the Liga NOS) top Talisman with 18 goals in 18 league matches, both Jiménez and Mitroglu have contributed their fair share of goals this season for the Eagles. 

After a loan deal to West Ham gone wrong, Raúl Jiménez missed his flight to London and found himself taking the advice of his agent Jorge Mendes as he signed a five year contract to Benfica. Benfica purchased Raúl Jiménez for 1 Million Euros while acquiring 50 per cent of the players rights for 3 Million, and with an agreement to share the player's salary with his former club Atletico de Madrid. While at Atletico during the 2014/15 season Raúl  played in 21 league matches where he scored 1 goal. Prior to his arrival in Spain, Raúl played 3 season with Mexican side America where he scored 36 goals in 96 matches. 

During the 2015/16 season Raúl has 6 goals and 4 assists in 26 games in all competitions. Raúl was a big saviour during the Group stages of the UEFA Champions League in which he netted an impressive brace away to Astana during a 2-2 match. Raúl has 3 goals in the Liga NOS and 1 goal in the League Cup.  In total he has played 1114 minutes this season. 

After having a successful loan season previously to his former club Olimpiacos, 27 year old Striker Kostas Mitroglu joined Benfica on a season long loan with Benfica (with an option to buy) until June 2016. It was rumoured during the pre-season that Sporting CP were interested in Mitroglu but when Benfica showed interest in the 40+ caped Greek International he "Did not think twice" 

(“Nem pensei duas vezes”)

Although Mitroglu has been considered a failure since his move from Olimpiacos to English Premier League side Fulham originally in 2014, he managed to score 19 goals in 32 league games during his loan at Olimpiacos, Mitroglu has adopted the name "Mitro Golo" in his short time this season at Benfica. He has scored 10 goals and assisted 2 goals in 26 games in all competitions and in total has played 1523 minutes. 7 of those goals are in League matches, 2 in Champions League, 1 in the Portuguese Cup. Mitroglu is Benfica's second best scorer this season. 

It does not look like Raúl will be leaving Benfica anytime soon since he has just arrived for 5 years but if there was an option the numbers speak for themselves. Mitrogolo should remain at the club and Benfica should go ahead and pursue the option to buy even they need to pay his estimate worth of approximately 9 million €. 

Benfica does have other forwards on loan and several future "Made In Benfica" prospects as options, however Mitroglu is still at a great age of 27 and still has a lot to offer in his career. There may also be a possibility that Raúl at age 24 may develop into a top player as he beats Mitroglu in stamina and can play a full 90 minute game at full speed. 

Based on the current numbers Mitroglu is the best choice as of right now but as he gets older in 3-5 years, Raúl will still be younger and Mitroglu may possibly become less fit or injury prone then as of right now,