Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has hailed the progress that Karim Benzema has made since his arrival at the club.

The French striker, who joined Los Blancos in 2009 from Lyon, struggled to justify his £30m price tag during his early days at the Bernabeu.

However, Benzema has found some goalscoring form following Mourinho's appointment, something that has not gone unnoticed by the boss.

"I think Benzema has improved all round, as he is now stronger both physically and mentally," Mourinho told French television show Telefoot.

"He now understands the game more fully. We all know what his attacking game is like, but he has also improved a lot defensively.

"Now, for me, the real Benzema is playing for Real Madrid."

The 23-year-old has scored six league goals in nine appearances this season.