The Players and Coaches Real Madrid Rejected

Fans of this blog will know me as a Real Madrid supporter, someone who supported the club right after Ronaldo's transfer to the club in 2002. Those were the glory days - remember that guy who scored that volley in Glasgow? What about the side that went to Old Trafford and that striker who scored a hat-trick that night. Enough of that. I am not here to praise the side, but rather criticize them for a lot of silly things they have done and a lot of missed opportunities we let go. So here goes.

1. David Beckham. I don't think I need to elaborate too much on that.
   
2. Christiano Ronaldo. I mentioned this to a couple of people but they kind of forgot. Before this season, when Ronaldo was the most hated guy in England after the World Cup, he was actually begging (and I mean it, he was literally begging) to go to Spain. Real Madrid didn't want him. Calderon wanted Kaka (so where is Kaka now) instead and guess who has the foresight to ignore all that was being said, insisted Ronaldo was untouchable and sent his trusted aide - Carlos Quieroz to persuade Ronaldo to stay. Well, the rest, as they say is history. Dear Sir Alex Ferguson, I say this with all due respect - you were the main reason Man Utd got back their title last season. People tend to forget, but I will never forget it.
   
3. Gabriel Milito. It gets my blood boiling as I type this out. So instead, let me quote this recent Reuters article - "The Argentine joined Zaragoza from Independiente in 2003 for £1.75million after a move to Barca's arch-rivals Real Madrid fell through at the last minute. Real pulled out of the £2million deal citing concerns over a knee ligament injury the player suffered in 2001. Asked if he considered the move a form of revenge against Real, Milito replied: 'No. We have to forget about the past. 'I have always wanted to come here and I hope I can repay the club on the pitch for the confidence they have shown in me.'".
   
4. Samuel Eto. Guess who sold Eto to Barcelona and thus ignited Barcelona's La Liga streak. I guess Florentino Perez wasn't all to blame. He had Ronaldo and Raul then and Real Madrid just won their 29th La Liga. But...sigh.

I can't think of any more off-hand but I can remember a couple of coaches as well - Del Bosque and Capello for instance. Will continue when I feel more relaxed!

Ricardo Oliveira is Loaned to Zaragoza

Just saw the news that the Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira has been loaned out to Zaragoza for a year. I would like to spend a little time talking about Real Zaragoza. When I think of them, I get reminded of Spurs. A top five side that does not have the high profiles of Valencia, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

But without a doubt a team that boasts a lot of talents. They are used to getting star players that the other teams discard and have done a great job putting everyone into the same team. Aimar is one. Diego Milito and previously Gabriel Milito are two great players in their own right. Andrés D'Alessandro is another top class playmaker that can't get into the Argentina national team because of Riquelme and Messi. Albert Celades played previously for Barcelona and Real Madrid and isn't too bad a defensive midfielder.

Come to think of it, it is a pretty good strategy. Target those players that are good prospects and have been bought at high prices by the big clubs or came through the ranks of the youth academies. But because of the huge competition at such clubs, they find themselves warming the bench most of the time. That is how Zaragoza ends up at its current league position.

Jose, Where Do you Really Want To Go?

The Sun today reported that Jose Mourinho intends to follow David Beckham to America after his career dwindles down after twenty years. Hmmm...I just love this guy. First he says he doesn't want to go but Chelsea doesn't want him. Then he says Real Madrid is one of the best teams around with a great history. After which he proclaims Inter Milan as the best team in Europe. Or what about his interests in coaching Portugal and England?

A great coach and an equally competent entertainer.

Royston Drenthe For Real?

Rumors have been floating around that Royston Drenthe, the left-back that plays for Dutch side Feyenoord has been given permission to talk to Real Madrid. I like the young prospect and I think he can provide stiff challenge to Miguel Torres for a place in the team. Moreover, Roberto Carlos' departure means Real Madrid has only one natural left-back (Torres) which can only spell disaster.

Real - Now that you have bought enough defenders to last 10 competitions in a single season, why don't you get us that playmaker that we really need to dictate play. Snatching Riquelme from Atletico doesn't seem that bad an idea now does it...

Real Madrid, I Hate You!

I have to admit, Real Madrid is MY team, my favourite team, my childhood team, the team I worship. And it pains me to see what Real Madrid has been doing all this while. I can't wait for the transfer season to end, because I don't see any player coming that I would like to see. I cannot see how Real Madrid can challenge Barcelona in the upcoming season. And here is why.

Where is Capello?
Well, if there is one thing the management of Real Madrid likes, it is to sack coaches. Win things and we sack you after one season. Lose against Barcelona and you lose your job the next day. Start losing and we are still going to sack you. We had probably the best coach in Spain and we sack him when he wins the Spanish La Liga after a four year drought. He gave us a reason to believe that we can win after conceding a goal and he loses his job. Well, at least he knows he will have a huge paycheck and the likes of Jose Antonio Camacho, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Mariano García Remón, Vicente del Bosque and Carlos Queiroz have all been sacked before him. At least he lasted one whole season. And his replacement - Bernd Schuster. Oh, the guy whose team went to the Nou Camp and got thrashed by Barcelona?

Where is Kaka?
Ever since Zidane left, we have lacked a natural playmaker to dictate play. Kaka could have been a natural replacement - someone who has both the profile and the skills to match possibly the most famous soccer club in the world. Guti is simply too inconsistent to do the job. At times, he looks like someone who can do the impossible. Most of the time, he is busy complaining to the referee. But I guess AC Milan is never going to let Kaka go. But what about Cesc Fabregas? Well, he looked like a possible replacement and given Arsenal's turmoils, it seemed like there couldn't be a better time to rob the London club of their prize assets. That was until Arsene Wenger stepped in and persuaded Fabregas the London club is the best place for him. So we are left with no one again.

Contrast this with our arch-enemy, Barcelona. They lost the Spanish Cup to Getafe in one of the biggest upset of the season. They failed to defend both their Champions League and La Liga championship titles. And what did they do next? They shocked the world by buying Thierry Henry, Yaya Toure, Eric Abidal and Gabriel Milito. One is Arsenal's all-time leading goal scorer. Another is one of the best defenders in La Liga last season. Yaya Toure is an upcoming midfield prospect while Eric Abidal - he can only enhance Barcelona's defence.

I have had enough. Why did I support this club in the first place?

Spanish FA Releases 07-08 La Liga Schedule

The Spanish FA has released the schedule for the upcoming La Liga season.

Real Madrid will face city rivals Atletico Madrid in their first game.
Barcelona is away to Racing Santander.
Sevilla is at home to Getafe, without their manager though.
Valencia comes up against Villarreal.

Is anyone interested in a public Google Calendar of the match-ups?

Barcelona Reject Arrives in Real Madrid

Barcelona reject Javier Saviola has arrived in Madrid where he is expected to be revealed as Real Madrid's newest signing. After signing Liverpool reject Jerzy Dudek as backup for Iker Casillas, the Spanish giants have moved fast to sign up Saviola. They don't actually have to act that fast in my opinion, since Barcelona doesn't really want Saviola and he has practically nowhere else to go to.

Thanks Real - after firing one of the best managers around, you start to sign rejects from Barcelona. Saviola ain't exactly Luis Figo you know. When you guys signed the Portugese, he was arguably one of the best players in the world, Saviola, on the other hand, has been warming the Barcelona bench. I am quite confident of where the La Liga title will end up next season.

Fabregas Snubs Real

Reuters and The Sun have both published news that Cesc Fabregas, the young Arsenal midfield maestro has snubbed a move to Real Madrid. According to the reports, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was the main reason behind the failed transfer move. £21.5 million was reportedly being made available for the transfer.

Real Madrid turned their attention to the Spanish ace after their repeated attempts to tempt Brazilian Kaka have been thwarted.