By El Maestro
Unfortunately, due to work and other matters I had to attend to, I have not been able to write about the recent topics that have transpired in the past few weeks: Madrid losing to Atletico, La Liga started again, Casillas is still in goal, Di Maria and Xabi Alonso both left the club in two distinct ways and El Chicharito.
Di Maria and Xabi:
I first want to start with the recent departures. Di Maria was about time and for a great deal: €75 million plus €15 million in incentives. To a Manchester United side that won’t be playing European football this season. However, what has people talking is his farewell letter that was published in a Spanish newspaper. My honest opinion, I’m glad he’s finally out. He was a great player and instrumental in last seasons double winning run, but he was a huge headache. He and his agent were always asking for raises every year and his attitude for the first part of last season was completely unprofessional. By the way, I think it was observe to ask for another raise just for playing six great months. He already got a pay raise in early 2012 and then took the entire 2012/2013 season off. If he wanted to make world class money at Madrid, he should have kept his mouth shut and played this season the same way he finished the one before. Maybe it would have been a different story if he had done that.
Xabi Alonso on the other hand was a huge surprise that came out of no where. Already, there are people who are saying his departure is worse than Di Maria’s as it came days before the close of the transfer market. While it’s true it was not the best timing, Xabi leaving the club and taking a pay cut to go to Bayern makes me think something is up. Of course he wanted to have more minutes, but it doesn’t make sense that he would choose to leave now when it was obvious his playing time was going to be reduced with the signings of Kroos and James in July. He even started both games against Atletico and didn’t play the European Supercup because he was unfairly suspended. Xabi is a serious professional and all this makes me believe that he possibly sees something in the dressing room we don’t see.
Regardless, thank you both for your services and we wish you two the best at your new clubs.
Atletico, Cordoba, Real Sociedad and Casillas in goal:
Shambolic would be the best word to describe Madrid’s performances in the last three games. They only created one clear opportunity on goal against Atletico in the 2nd leg, beat Cordoba because they had no firepower in attack and lost to Real Sociedad after blowing a 0-2 lead in Anoeta. To make it simple, this squad is going no where if they don’t get their act together. If Sociedad can score four unanswered goals, imagine what a team with top players can do.
All this with Casillas in goal (just to let Marca know). It would be irresponsible to blame Iker for these games, but his performances have been under par. He could do nothing to stop Atletico’s only goal, but he had a bad outing against Cordoba and should have done better in la Real’s first and third goal. If he continues this way, the question will be whether Ancelotti has the personality to bench him or will he crumble under the pressure?
El Chicharito:
Lastly, the transfer market ends today and Madrid have finally signed a striker. Javier ‘Chicharito Hernandez arrives on a one year loan deal from Manchester United. Believe it or not, I actually like the move. Naturally, I preferred Falcao, but Chicharito might be exactly what Real Madrid needs. He didn’t play much last season, but he’s a pure number 9 striker and can come off the bench. The best thing about him is that he’s a natural goal poacher, which is what this team is looking for. He’s not the most talented player, but he always seems to find the open spaces and be at the right place at the right time. Exactly like Raul, but with more to offer on the field.
Bienvenido Chicharito
REAL MADRID SOCIAL CLUB 