|
|
Spanish Inquisition: Why Madrid Would Do Well To Sign The Spanish Galacticos
Goal.com’s Cyrus C. Malek makes the case for a more Hispanic Real Madrid…
19-Jun-2009 11:51:12 AM
In Real Madrid’s Champions League encounters against Liverpool this past season, a two-legged feud Los Blancos lost handily, I could not help but make a curious observation. Here was Real Madrid, a team from the Spanish capital, facing Liverpool, one of the English Premier League’s great sides, and the Reds had more Spanish players in their starting line-up than did the Whites (Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe Reina vs. Raul, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas).
In fact, in light of Raul’s unceremonious dismissal from the Spanish national team and Ruben de la Red’s medical emergency that may or may not have ended his career, only two players in Madrid’s current roster even play for La Furia Roja — the same side that is currently rated as the No. 1 national squad in the world and won the 2008 European Championships.
During international breaks, Madrid’s roster is usually depleted to little more than 11 players. But so cosmopolitan is the Merengue team that rarely do these internationals stay within the European continent, let alone one country. During the first Galactico dynasty, it seemed as if half of the Madrid roster would make off for Brazil to fulfil their duties to country, leaving players physically and mentally exhausted upon their return from travelling across the globe.
Over the past couple of seasons, this quandary became a Dutch one as one could follow a good number of Madrid’s players simply by watching an Oranje match. While the rigours of travel do not apply in the Dutch case, Spanish fans were left with few players from their favourite club to support nationally.
In contrast, Barcelona have developed a number of Spanish-born players and, as a result, the national team features Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Pique and Busquets - three of whom are integral members in La Roja’s starting line-up. For Barca fans, the transition from supporting Barcelona to supporting the Spanish national side is far more seamless, allowing fans to integrate their pride for both club and country (despite being from Catalunya) in a cycle that is largely self-perpetuating.
For Madrid, the irony lies in that fact that they have allowed certain players from their youth system to slip away, making men like Valencia’s Juan Mata a source of bitter lamentation rather than eager excitement as he takes the pitch in a red Spain shirt.
Under Florentino Perez’s second regime, whether Madridistas like it or not, the policy seems to be to sign to biggest and best players in the world. Madrid have already signed two Supergalacticos and successive World Players of the Year in Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. But if Madrid are going to insist upon signing big name players, they may as well sign representatives from their own country — many of whom have already proven they are some of the best players in world football. Such a policy would engender local support and, for a team that is said to be 'Spain’s team' (in the idyllic sense of the expression), would help Real Madrid reclaim a piece of their identity that has been lost for far too long.
The following are some of the Spanish names Madrid would do well to pursue in the summer transfer market in an effort to achieve this goal:
David Villa
The Villa saga has been brewing for weeks now. Initially it looked as if Madrid had secured 'El Guaje’s' signature immediately after signing Ronaldo, but Valencia allegedly pulled out of the agreement. Barcelona and Chelsea briefly entered the picture, but since, it looks as if Madrid have made a second push for the striker. Villa would make a superb signing for Madrid, his popularity in the Spanish national squad translating into great affection from Madridistas.
On the pitch, Villa is lethal in front of goal, but his most impressive skill set comes from his dynamism and movement of play. More than willing to come back and hold the ball in the midfield, Villa is a player that can involve himself in every facet of play and would be well worth the price. However, Madrid would be advised not to include Alvaro Negredo as a bargaining chip in the deal; having lost Juan Mata to Valencia already, one can only imagine how Madrid could come to rue the loss of a 23-year-old youth product who scored 32 goals in all competitions last year.
Xabi Alonso
A defensive player who is more than capable of his share of creation, Xabi Alonso would bolster a Madrid midfield and make a superb pairing with Lass Diarra, allowing Kaka to play in his favoured advanced position. Technically sound and an excellent passer of the ball, the Basque player would be welcomed in a return to Spain and his audacious long-range efforts would quickly win the hearts of the Bernabeu.
Cesc Fabregas
Ramon Calderon’s impossible dream, it looks as if Cesc is even out of Florentino Perez’s range. The Arsenal starlet has firmly declared his allegiance to the Gunners and coach Arsene Wenger and, if anything, has been rumoured to be in Pep Guardiola’s sights. But if Madrid could prise away this Blaugrana youth product, he would find a cacophony of' Olés to greet him in the Spanish capital. Although he is not a regular starter for La Roja, he is a true gem in the Spanish national squad and a player to be coveted.
Raul Albiol
Only 23-years-old, Raul Albiol is already one of Spain’s best central defenders. Ever since the departure of Fernando Hierro, the Madrid defence has been abhorrent at worst and passable at best. Although Ezequiel Garay is set to join the Madrid ranks after a season on loan to Racing, Albiol would be a more sure-footed defender as well as a more popular choice among fans to partner with Pepe.
Alvaro Arbeloa
A Madrid youth product, Arbeloa recognised the adversity that members of the Madrid cantera face in breaking through to the first team. Leaving for Deportivo La Coruna in 2006, Arbeloa went on claim the starting right-back position at Liverpool. With Michel Salgado likely to leave this summer for Dubai, Sergio Ramos would be left without proper relief at right-back. Ramos has thus far been lucky, but with the risk of injury and with a penchant for quickly picking up bookings, Arbeloa could step right in to the Madrid line-up. A versatile defender as well, he also performs admirably as a right-footed left-back.
David Silva
While not a necessary signing, Silva would certainly help complete a Spanish Real Madrid. An Iniesta-type player who darts through the midfield with deft control of the ball and quick changes of pace, Silva, at just 23-years-old, has a bright future ahead of him. Should the price tag on Franck Ribery be set too high (according to some rumours possibly even higher than Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer fee) and with Arjen Robben set to exit the Spanish capital, David Silva would be a sensible investment for a Madrid squad that would gain great support by returning to their roots.
Cyrus C. Malek, Goal.com
Now all of our breaking news is at your fingertips. Meet the Goal.com Toolbar, the new and exciting way to take the passion of football with you!
Inside Goal.Com
-
The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A
With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer
-
Euro 2012 Dream Team: Ronaldo & Van Persie feature
Goal.com puts together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
Euro 2012 Tactical Analysis: How far can Roy's masterplan take England?
England are a diminished lot, with the experienced players like Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill all ruled out of the Euros. Goal.com's Sarthak Dubey analyses their chances..
-
Euro 2012 Trivia: Which team has no player from their domestic league?
In another episode today of Euro Trivia , we bring to you another tricky question..!
Which is the only team in Euro 2012 who have not called up a single player from their own domestic league?
A. Denmark.
B. Poland
C. Czech Republic
D. Republic of Ireland.
Test your knowledge with Goal.com and send in your response. -
Euro 2000 Legends: Zinedine Zidane, France
Zinedine Zidane led France to their second European success with his vital goals and important assists. Zizou masterminded the French revolution from his midfield throne...