News

By: Corey | December 31st, 2007

Ramon Calderon and Bernd Schuster have some end of the year comments for us, and seeing as how the window is open tomorrow, the transfer gossip is heating up.

Ramon:

“It was something stupid that was misinterpreted. Clearly, Kaká would be welcome in Madrid, but I want to reaffirm is that the squad is so well balanced now that it would not be easy to change everything to bring in a superstar,” he said.

“Which team would not like to have a player like Cristiano Ronaldo?” he asked.

“I cannot forget how I felt celebrating Christmas last year and the difference with his year,” he continued.

“It is simply the product of very hard work. I want to publicly thank Bernd Schuster, who has proved that our brave gamble was needed.

“He has only been here five months and it is a miracle to be where we are. In a season-and-a-half we have changed 19 players in the squad and not the system of play is completely different to last year.

“Now when we have a one-goal lead we look for a second and a third. Before we would have closed up shop at the back and held on to win.

“Normally we are four or five points behind Barça, not seven points in front of them.

“In the Bernabéu there have been 14 or 15 times when the crowd are on their feet during a game, but last season it was only three or four. Madrid have to win and play well too and this team does that.

“We have left the Galáctico era and become a football team again. The players should be proud because to be a complete team you need values such as commitment, attitude and set an example.”

“It looks at the moment like the title will be a two-horse race because Madrid and Barça have been the strongest this season, but in just three games everything could change,” he said.

“I would never rule out the other teams, like Atlético, Espanyol and Villarreal, from coming into it.”

“They are a tough opponent with great players, but I cannot complain because we did not want one of the English teams,” he added.

“I would have preferred to play Celtic or face Roberto Carlos at Fenerbahçe, but we know what Roma are capable of and us playing at home in the second leg must be to our advantage.

“I dream about going to Moscow.”

Schuster:

“Guti will return to the starting team,” the former Barça and Atlético player explained.

“Calderón wil keep trying for Kaká until he signs him,” he continued.

“I want the team to play well, the fans to be entertained and to win at least one trophy,”

Calderon also discussed his feelings about the family atmosphere Real had created after seeing Julio Baptista playing the guitar and the likes of Marcelo, Raul, Robinho, Drenthe and Diarra singing along with the Beast at their Christmas party. And Diarra is Muslim! Well, anyways, sounded like alot of fun, I was surprised not to see the names Heinze, Gago, Higuain or Saviola singing…Argentines just dont seem to be as much fun. Which is why I have these little tidbits from my incredibly un-reliable sources:

- Real denied any squad changes this winter, but it seems highly likely that either Saviola or Soldado leaves, either on loan or through a purchase. Soldado has stated he wants to stay atleast til the summer and doesnt see a loan as good for his career at his age (???), while Saviola is just balls and would be all profit if we sold him off. But knowing Pedja, he will settle for a loan, I dont know why. Bolton, yes, Bolton Wanderers and Marseille are interested, and it looks like Juve doesnt want to do business anymore.

- In some troubling news, Arsene Wenger, my favorite coach, whos face is plastered on the front of all of my bingers with heart and flower stickers surronding him, is looking into purchasing one of our gems, Dani Parejo, gods gift to Castilla according to Don Di Stefano. This wont happen, the kid is 16 and has a pro deal already, with a buyout clause of 10 mill. If Di Stefano says he is talented, believe it folks. He will probably not leave until he is not allowed to play around the age of 20 in the first team, thats how we seem to work with youth team players.

- Real has first option on Ever Banega, Boca central midfielder who looked headed to Juve but seeing as how Koeman is shedding half of his squad, is off to Valencia for 12 million. We have first refusal after the Gago purchase, but why would they want another Gago?

- Real are rumored to offer Gabriel Heinze and Julio Baptista to the Pool for Xabi Alonso. Now Xabi is a tasty morsel, but loosing the Beast? No way, they can have Heinze and a bucket full of money for him though, he would be a great alternative to Diarra in the middle. Wish we had bought him 3 years ago when we had the chance. Cultured passers are always welcome.

- Calderon on Schuster’s snowman like coldness towards the press: “Little by little he will adjust. Bernardine has his own character and we cannot ask him to change overnight. ”

“He is quite timid, but that does not mean he doesn’t have a good sense of humour – far from it. When they get after him, he becomes nervous, but he is a charming man to everyone inside the club.

“Schuster is anything but comfortable in media conferences, but the important thing is that he handles the dressing room and its works perfectly.”

Bernardine!?! Why didnt I kno this until now. Damn, I am dropping Schustie, Bernardine is how he will be referred to from now on.

- In case you didnt know, Calderon likes Kaka, not that Schuster doesnt. But Cristiano Ronaldo, every gay man and British high end prostitutes dream, is now firmly in the sights of Real Madrid, as Manchester seems to bore him these days. There are several beautiful English women, but I would be hard pressed to find one just walking the streets of say Nottingham or Manchetser. But besides beautiful English women with great teeth, Ronaldo may want to return to the Iberian for some R&R with the sun. I shouldnt say that, I live in a place where we are starved for good weather.

- Unrelated to Real in anyways, but Harry Redknapp tells a good story, so here is one about Portugal “messiah” Paolo Futre:

… Futre,’ he said, pointing to his chest. ‘Futre No.10.’

“I explained to him that he had to wear No.16, that it was FA rules that players were allocated a squad number and were stuck with it. But I may as well have recited a nursery rhyme. ‘Futre,’ he shouted, jabbing his chest again. “‘Future Eusebio No.10. Futre No.10.’

“‘Yeah, I understand all that,’ I said.

“‘But there’s nothing we can do. Moncur is No.10. You are No.16. We can’t change it now.’

“‘No f*****g way 16,’ Futre shouted. ‘F***ing No.10.’

“‘Look,’ I said. ‘Just wear the 16 shirt and we’ll talk about it later.’

“But he wouldn’t have it. He told me to eff off and next minute he was in a cab on his way home.

“The following Monday I hauled him in to my office. He had his lawyer and agent with him and started going on again about wearing No.10. I told him that in England kids buy football shirts with the name and number of their favourite player. John Moncur was No.10. It couldn’t be changed. Too many shirts had been sold.

“‘How many?’ Futre asked. ‘How much money?’

“‘A hundred thousand pounds’ worth,’ I said.

“In truth we’d probably sold about six.

“‘I pay,’ he said. ‘I pay. I give £100,000 and you take the shirts back. Give them the money back.’

“I couldn’t believe it. He wanted to fork out 100 grand just to wear the No.10. I suppose in a way you had to admire his principles.

“Futre owned one of the most luxurious villas in Portugal and offered Moncur a fortnight there free if he handed over his No.10 shirt.

“I don’t think Moncur gave a monkey’s what number he wore, but he took the free holiday and all we had to do was square the change of number with the FA.”

HAHHAHA, redic. Happy New Year, Adios.