Young Spanish Men
By: Corey | April 1st, 2008After the wonderful success of our midfield three in the Sevilla game, which I have realized is more the result of Sevilla’s double pivot not challenging Gago enough to open wholes into the defense. But, after the success, comes the press to ruin it sort of. Here is the latest news on the whole host of young Spanish midfielders as well as transfer targets heading our way this summer:
- Ruben de la Red, super-stud of Getafe, and my personal favorite, looks set to return to Madrid in some sort of capacity this summer for a fee that should suit Getafe. Although Im sure they would prefer to hold on to him, he looks most likely to be either given a chance by Schuster (please) or used as a bargaining chip for a number of teams. Bargaining chip seems to make sense to me, what team he is gonna be sold off to for money plus a player to be named later is still with the jury. I would like to see him stay and take his rightful place in the midfield, I rate him higher then Gago, but neither are sustainable DM, but together they may be able to double team it and prove very effective.
- Obviously the other pearl of Getafe (Real’s still though) is Esteban Granero, and he will definately be returning to Real this summer. He wont be sold. He may get another year on loan, Getafe is an option, Tottenham has been mooted as well. I think another loan is good because the midfield will be crowded with De la Red back and the addition of a shady figure to be revealed as…..
- Javi Garcia! Remember him? Yeah, he was the top midfield prospect of Castilla for 4 or 5 years, I remember him debuting at 18 in a CL game and playing well. I have seen him play for the u-20’s in Canada this summer and he looked good. This year he has impressed immensely and Real looks set to recall in much the same way they are recalling De la Red. And the prospect of him sticking with Real is pretty good, considering he is able to play center back now but is usually a DM with skill. I like this move, between De la Red and Javi Garcia we will have a little more steel with skill in the midfield. The chances of him being sold on as a bargaining chip are unknown, but one thing is certain, if Ruben comes back then Javi does too, they have the same agent.
- Jaunmi Callejon, Castilla’s second best striker behind Alberto Bueno, is being eyed by several La Liga teams according to his agent. With the success of Negredo at Almeria, Callejon is an odds on favorite to enjoy some sort of success in La Liga as well. My guess is if Real is able to bring back Granero, De la Red, and Javi Garcia, then they will set up either a loan or buy-back clause for this guy and future Castilla players. Finally, we see some good youth development, albeit at other La Liga teams, but beggers cant be choosers. Callejon would do well at Espanyol or Mallorca next year.
Callejon with Parejo right behind
- Quick sidenote, notice how Negredo’s recall chatter has died down now that his scoring touch has died down? I dont think he is good enough for Real, but I wish him luck in his career.
- Speaking of which, what Castilla players will be let out of the pen to roam La Liga and prove their worth this year? Let me know your thoughts. My picks are Tebar, Parejo and Pedro Mosquera along with Callejon. Nieto, Sergio, Guillen and Gorka will probably sold off with little fuss, but the first three will get loans or buy-back clauses.
- Next up is Agus and Adrian Gonzalez, both at Celta. Celta has been a little unstable lately, but how are these two doing? I know nothing about their status, how many games they have played this year, but I am looking for it. What do you think wil happen with them?
- Whats the deal with Alberto Bueno? He probably needs a loan more then anyone, but will that happen or will he stagnate with Castilla another season? What does everyone think about him?
-Lets hope Dudek leaves this summer, but I doubt it. If Dudek doesnt leave, does that mean Codina moves on? I think so.
- Soldado, Saviola, Balboa, Diarra and Salgado are all likely to be sold, although I would love to keep Diarra and Balboa. Soldado needs to if his career is to progress, while Salgado’s level has dropped so much that he needs to stay away from the Bernabeu if we are ever to win a CL title. Saviola I dont care about, never wanted him. Balboa may leave as well, I am sure Santander want him back and a whole host of clubs would gladly take him on. Would we put a buy back clause for him, likewise Soldado? Probably not, as both wouldnt consent to it seeing as how they performed well in La Liga already, so why would they return to Real yet again. Sad, two talented footballers pushed to the margin by a coach who has no skill in developing young players.
It pains me to have not seen this lad in a long time
- I saw Ruud was looking into moving to Milan. Any truth in this, because by connecting the dots the press makes it seem that Real gets Huntelaar to replace Ruud, while Ruud moves to Milan to replace the injured Ronaldo. Real sure likes selling on aging strikers to the retirement home of Europe, AC Milan.
Well, thats enough to discuss right there, so have at it and sound out what the plan should be for all of our young talent and a few fringe players. Adios.
EDIT
Here are some three man midfield permutations, since that seems to be what Schuster prefers to the detriment of our man Balboa who gets not time on the right.
—-Guti—-Diarra—-Sneijder—-
—-Granero—Gago—-De la Red—
—Javi Garcia—Gago—De la Red—
—-Guti—Diarra—-Baptista—-
—Granero—Gago—Sneijder—-
—Guti—Gago—Javi Garcia—
—Guti—-De la Red—Baptista—
—Sneijder—Diarra—Baptista - –
—Javi Garcia—De la Red—Granero !!!!!!!
ETC.
Theres plenty of options, but if we have all of those players next year, its 8 for 6 positions, plus the emerging talent of Dani Parejo. So something has to give, 2 people dont make the cut, my guess is Granero and one of Diarra/Baptista is sold.
MONSTER UPDATE:
As I wrote this piece I felt good saying that the two Getafe lads and Javi Garcia would return to Real. Well now its all but confirmed, as Bernadine spoke highly of the Castilla class of 2 years ago and the development of the two Getafe players:
“The other day I spoke with the people of the club about the Castilla of two years ago and it is tremendous - Soldado, Jurado, Arbeloa, De la Red, Javi Garcia. All are players of Primera class, but it was not clear that they could play for Madrid.”
“Now, De la Red has demonstrated at Getafe, playing in the UEFA Cup, the Copa and Liga that we can trust him. Granero, equally. Both have been given life by Getafe.”
“But they must know that a spot here is not guaranteed. Madrid always demands the maximum from those that defend this shield.”
He then continues with these comments, one a huge hint as to his fondness for Klaas:
“This boy is very similar to van Nistelrooy and Marco van Basten. It seems that they had made a clone in a laboratory. He has things of Van Nistelrooy and of Van Basten. He moves in a similar way, he’s tall, shoots with both two feet and is good in the air.”
“In addition, like these uncles, he’s come from a good school, learns quickly and is a good professional. That gives you security when you sign them. Here, he will not get 30 goals like there, but at the most he will score maybe five less.”
“We are serious. We have an extraordinary project with a good mixture of veterans and young people, but if we want to compete in Europe it will be necessary to make two or three adjustments of quality.”
“What happened against Roma cannot happen again.”
So he definately wants De la Red and Granero back, Graner as cover for Guti and De la Red as a serious first team player. He spoke highly of Soldado, so maybe he is not on his way out, but I think Roberto knows he needs to move on to further his career. He also speaks highly of Javi Garcia, although brief, but I will run with it and say he will return too! And of course I always liked Jurado, but he doesnt seem to have the class for Real, while Arbeloa understandably moved away like Soldado probably will do.
All in all, 3 of the 5 isnt bad, finally some youth team prospects becoming full first team members. I forsee the three having Raul/Guti/Casillas like careers with Real.
Category: Team News
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Not sure about the Ruud move to Milan. There was an interview with Sacchi in Radio Marca today in whic he sid the Italians have to beton their youngsters because the “veterans” they have signed (he mentions Redondo, Vieri and Ronaldo) have not really worked out. Admittedly Sacchi no longer works for Milan so does not have a say in the decision-making, but it’s probably fair to say that Milan has been creaking due to age and is likely to renew the ranks with youngsters; they have enough veterans of their own.
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I think that Adrian Gonzalez is on loan to ‘Nastic this season, but I don’t think he’s actualy gotten capped yet.
I’m still hoping that Granero gets a shot at the right wing next season, especially if Balboa is really on the outs (which would be a mistake, in my opinion). De la Red just doesn’t have a place, and though I’d like to keep him secured on loan, I kind of doubt it will happen. If Madrid passes him up again, it will probably be for good (and for the good of the player, as well).
I would guess the Milan rumors are just that - rumors. I think Madrid would be making a mistake to let him go, regardless of his age. But on the same token, I still think we need more depth up front (given that Saviola and Soldado probably leave, and Higuain…). So perhaps that’s where De la Red could fit in. Sure, he’s more of a midfielder than a striker, but he has a great sense for goal, and would be an invaluable addition to our (woeful) set peices. For Getafe, anyways, he’s shown a killer instinct with his headers.
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De la Red has been player further forward in a Guti or Sneijder type role this year, with Celestini and Casquero (or Pallardo) behind him, and Cotelo on the left, Granero on the right and two strikers, although Manu is very mobile. They play with 3 across the back sometimes, other times 4, in which cause either Manu drops to left wing or De la Red is the link between the midfield and Uche/Braulio. His position is tenable next year, he could do Guti or Sneijders position, but then again so can Baptista. Then theres Gago and Diarra. Thats a full compliment of midfielders, especially if Granero is pushed to the right where he would benefit from the added width Sergio Ramos provides. It is so difficult for me to explaing all the permutations in my head without a whiteboard, its my inner coach tacking over. But with the two back plus Javi Garcia we could have an interesting lineup, I will edit the post for some sort of explanation.
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dont take javi garcia please!!!!!!
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Doesn’t anyone else get the feeling Diarra is on the way out? I don’t think he’s happy and I’m not sure Schuster counts on him as much either.
As for Ruud, I hope we keep him, but he’s going to have to start sharing some time. We can’t let our other strikers loose their edge like we did this year. Plus in all honestly, I’d like to see a more athletic, faster, more dynamic set of forwards.
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After watching Christiano Ronaldo’s header goal last night…wow, that’s the kind of player we need. Although Ronaldo is not an option, Sir Alex won’t let him go for any price, but that’s the kind of style Real needs. I’m not sure who the guy for the job is, Huntelaar is pretty agile, but I’m not sure your talking that kind of athleticism.
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I’m still balls out in favor of Benzema. I think he might even be worth the price we’d have to pay to secure him.
It wasn’t until this last game that I noticed a clear departure from Diarra-ball. When he was subbed in, I actually found myself disappointed. What we saw from Gago was not a holding midfield, but a recovering midfielder who acted as the starting point of all the attacks. An organizer who (as Corey pointed out) didn’t really create the plays, amore just waited for things to settle and then choose a channel of attack. Gago also seemed to have improved noticably at just holding on to the ball, rather than getting pushed off.
I’m still not ready to see Diarra leave us, but it’s clear that the direction Schuster’s taking the team doesn’t rely as heavily on him. I could understand him perceiving his role begin to diminish and then jumping ship. But like so many other DM’s and HM’s that Madrid have let go, I’m not sure we wouldn’t regret the big man’s departure.
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I would hold on to him as best you could this summer. Gago’s effectiveness when paired with anyone including Baptista is down to being lineup up against two holding players like himself. He had no trouble containing to players who couldnt run at him with pace and skill to give him fits, as Capel and Navas never cut in field. He rarely had to cover Kanoute or Fabiano either as they pulled wide hoping for a central midfielder to rush up field but it never happened. He was walked over in Bremen because he had to contend with Diego coming at him, if not him then Borowski. Diarra is much better in those situations. He is not as skillful as Madrid faithful expect from all Real players, but thats exactly why he is there, to do a job. Shield the defense, he doesnt have to pass the ball well, he has to win the ball back in midfield and thats all. If he looses it, he damn better get it back, but simple passes are all he needs. Until we embrace such a philosophy, we will never see a strong central midfield. Chelsea did and they got the best out of Makelele, likewise Milan with Gattuso or Albertini before him, Juve with Tacchinardi, Arsenal with Viera and Man U with Keane. All these players never put passing range on their resumes, they did simple defensive things right, they put the ball to the skilled guy then they stayed back. When they moved forward it was with purpose, something Diarra will learn. Dont get rid of him, it leaves a void of physicality in the midfield Baptista alone cannot fill.
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Hooray for Chelsea’s loss to Bobby Carlos’ new team! What a strike by deivid!
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I’ve been cheering on Fenerbahce too, since Carlos went there. I’d love to see them take on the blaugrana.
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I just watched the Getafe game and it all but confirmed my firm belief that the future of our midfield is in the hands of De la Red and Granero, both ate tidy passers and aggressive defensively. Pure class.
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I watched the game too, and almost puked from the excitement when Manu’s header hit the post, and started jumping up and down (while at work) when Contra scored with that lovely chip. But yeah, by the end of the first half and the begining of the second, De la Red and Granero were conducting the game, which is shocking, considering who they were up against. The entire Geta side, though, were puting some remarkable ball-wining skills on display. You gotta think that Laudrup had some part in that. To keep up with Bayern, and actually win the advantage of posession (though it was close, 49%-51%): just remarkable.
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