As Jonathan Swift quotes, ‘œA wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart.’ Well, that’s true to the likes of Real Madrid.
As Jonathan Swift quotes, “A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart.”
Well, that’s true to the likes of Real Madrid, who have splashed a lot of cash this season to buy success and more success.
Once Portugal sensation, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived (80m pounds), a frenzy spend started. The Santiago Bernebeu saw superstars arrive in a jiffy as Real Madrid went on toe-to-toe with their close rivals, Barcelona.
But after years of patience, Floretino Perez and his cash stripped Real Madrid finally came good as they were crowned the UEFA Champions League winners last season beating Atletico Madrid in the finals. One of the players who featured in the Final was Welsh winger, Gareth Bale who was signed from Tottenham Hotspurs for a fee reported to 85m pounds.
But as Real Madrid gear up to field the world’s most expensive strikeforce in the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday, beware, beware as more BIG names are on the list as well. FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez (63m pounds) and Toni Kroos (30m pounds) might make their debut for the Los Blancos against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Not to forget their main striker upfront – Karim Benzema, who arrived at a fee of 27m pounds from Lyon. Even though there were reports of Radamel Falcao being linked to the club, for now, though, the French forward remains manager Carlo Ancelotti’s only out-and-out striker, combined with a mouth-watering attack that lists the likes of CR7, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale.
Then there the midfielders at the club, who too, were signed for a lot of money!
The likes of Luka Modric (33m pounds) Isco (24m), Illarra (25.5m), Angel Di Maria (20m) and Sami Khedira (11.2m) – who has recently signed a new contract, are also up for the starting berth against Sevilla in Cardiff.
Real Madrid did not stop their shopping just there as they splashed 8m pounds for Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas in the goalkeeper position who will be aiming to replace club legend, Iker Casillas as the regular number one, with former stopper Diego Lopez set to join AC MIlan.
Unlike the other top managers of the world, Italian Carlo Ancelotti is more flexible in his approach and likes to adapt to the capabilities of his players rather than expecting the players to form an attack in a pre-determined style of play. Ancelotti’s style of play has merged well with Real’s players and no wonder its reaping rewards at the summit.
Even if they win the UEFA Super Cup (which they will), Real’s most expensive strikeforce can really unsettle the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez at Barcelona.
