Friends of Don Quixote: Window Shopping

By David Mosse

Florentino Perez used to hate winter signings. He considered it a sign of weakness, as if the work hadn't properly been done over the summer. Perez did make some concessions towards the end of his first spell in charge in the form of Thomas Gravesen and Antonio Cassano.

Gravesen spent a year and a half kicking everyone in sight, including his own teammates, and the only ones who benefited from the arrival of the Italian were prostitutes in Madrid. But Perez must know that some of the most important players on the current team – Gonzalo Higuain, Lassana Diarra, Marcelo – actually came during the winter. Predrag Mijatovic enjoyed his finest moments this time of year.

Whether the Madrid president will alter his approach remains to be seen, but he may not have a choice given the season-ending injury to Pepe. Indeed, most clubs would prefer to remain quiet over the next month, but while money is tight right now, the need to fill gaping holes and the desire for playing time heading into the World Cup could trigger a lot more movement than some are expecting.

The Madrid media has been busy speculating on possible replacements for the Portuguese international, though many fans would like to see Real add a wing back instead, taking advantage of the versatility of Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa to fill out the back line. Probably the most interesting names to come up so far are Shakhtar Donetsk left back Razvan Rat and Aston Villa center back Carlos Cuellar.

Three players likely on their way out of the club this winter are Fernando Gago, Royston Drenthe and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who could be headed back to the Premier League. Barcelona will suffer no such losses, but the Blaugrana may enter the market as well. Pep Guardiola felt his squad was short before the season and the Catalan giants face a marathon of games in the month of January.

The emergence of Pedro and, more recently, Jeffren Suarez has apparently prompted Barcelona to drop its pursuit of Robinho. Or maybe it was watching the Brazilian play for Manchester City the past couple of weeks. Robinho has always been better in theory than in practice. But help is needed in the midfield with Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure both set to depart for the African Cup of Nations.

Guardiola's dream signing would be David Silva, but Valencia is unlikely to begin a fire sale until next summer. Los Che actually strengthened its squad by picking up Argentine striker Chori Dominguez on a free transfer from Rubin Kazan. Atletico Madrid similarly is on the verge of adding Eduardo Salvio from Lanus as a replacement for the soon-to-be loaned out Maxi Rodriguez.   

Atletico could also use a quality player in the middle of the park, while Real Zaragoza is desperate for help in defense. Deportivo will try to bolster its attack, as the team's leading scorer in the league has only two goals. Even Sporting Gijon is pledging to be on the lookout for potential reinforcements. Of course, all of these clubs will be operating under a different set of economic rules.

The “Beckham Law”, a tax decree passed back in 2005 which meant foreign stars earning more than 600,000 euros per year paid far less in taxes than their Spanish counterparts has indeed been repealed. The clubs vehemently opposed the move, arguing it will damage the domestic game. But new rules go into effect at the start of the new year, just in time for the winter transfer window.

Such a decision does make it less enticing to bring in foreign players, and might mean La Liga sides increasingly look for help from within. Not to worry, though. In case you haven't noticed, the Spanish can play a little bit as well. 

First Quest: Osasuna vs. Real Madrid

Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV

Kaka has declared himself fit and is eager to return to the lineup in Pamplona. He might be eased back slowly, however, especially as his replacement Rafael van der Vaart should be available after  overcoming some injury problems of his own from earlier in the week. Van der Vaart is flourishing in the role of the Brazilian, and scored two goals last time out against Real Zaragoza.

Ezequiel Garay will likely get another opportunity in the center of defense alongside Raul Albiol. The duo wasn't tested much against Zaragoza, but Sunday's game figures to be a different story. The home side will be boosted by the return of striker Carlos Aranda, who missed the match against Athletic Bilbao before the break with muscle pain. Aranda could partner Walter Pandiani upfront.

Veteran goalkeeper Ricardo is available after recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in training on Tuesday. His manager Jose Antonio Camacho had a very brief and unhappy stint as Madrid boss under Florentino Perez, and would love nothing more than to exact revenge on his former team.

Second Quest: Barcelona vs. Villarreal

Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes

Barcelona's depth will be seriously tested against a surging Villarreal side on Saturday. Andres Iniesta and Seydou Keita remain sidelined with injuries picked up in the Club World Cup. The club is holding out hope Keita will skip the African Cup of Nations to properly recover. Yaya Toure has already left to join the Ivory Coast squad in preparation for the tournament.

All the absences mean Rafa Marquez may be pressed into action in the midfield alongside Sergio Busquets, and Pep Guardiola must reach into Barcelona's vaunted youth system to round out the squad. Guardiola did lose one of his top young players, as Jeffren Suarez suffered a muscle injury in a money-grubbing friendly last week in Kuwati. Jeffren will be out of action for five weeks.

Villarreal arrives at the Camp Nou brimming with confidence after winning three in a row to close out the month of December, but Ernesto Valverde has to make do without defender Gonzalo Rodriguez. He will be out for another two weeks. Striker David Fuster impressed in the victory over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon, and should receive another chance ahead of Nilmar or Joseba Llorente.

Ladies-in-waiting: Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla

Saturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV

Perhaps no club was more glad to reach the winter break than Atletico Madrid, but the second half isn't off to a great start, as Sergio Aguero remains a major doubt for the clash against Sevilla. Quique Flores can no longer count on Florent Sinama, who was sold to Sporting Lisbon earlier this week. Maxi Rodriguez is likely to feature despite being in the process of negotiating a loan to Boca Juniors.

Most of the inspiration offensively will need to come from Jose Antonio Reyes, who has promised not to celebrate a goal against his former team. Sevilla didn't finish the first half in strong form, either, and will now be without Luis Fabiano for at least another couple of weeks. His setback is even more problematic with Frederic Kanoute headed to the African Cup of Nations.

Ladies-in-waiting: Mallorca vs. Athletic Bilbao

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV

Mallorca has been the surprise of the season, but ended the first half on a disappointing note by falling to lowly Malaga. Gregorio Manzano's side returns home where it has collected full points so far, but will need to overcome the loss of starting center backs Nunes (suspended) and Ivan Ramis (injury). The two have formed arguably the strongest pairing in La Liga.

Manzano will also be without striker Pierre Webo, who is off with Cameroon preparing for the African  Cup of Nations. Athletic Bilbao faces no such problems, of course, and the team arrives at this game almost at full strength with the only definite absence being that of suspended striker Gaizka Toquero. He will likely be replaced by Markel Susaeta, provided the youngster is declared fit.

The Impertinent Curiosity: Other Games

Valencia vs. Espanyol

Racing Santander vs. Tenerife

Real Zaragoza vs. Deportivo

Almeria vs. Xerez

Sporting Gijon vs. Malaga

Getafe vs. Valladolid

“Friends of Don Quixote” appears Friday mornings on Goal.com. Also check out “Men of La Mancha” on Monday mornings, as David Mosse recaps the action from the weekend.