The Dutch double down. I think Robben’s celebration is a pointed reminder of how Real treats its Dutch contingent and how unsettled is its future.
The arrival of Kaka, Ronaldo, and Benzema is Real’s 2.0 version of the Galacticos necessary to wrest the Liga back from Barca and put Real back as favourites to win the CL but we can also argue that it is a calculated move to undo the club’s Dutch policy that has cost them a not insubstantial amount of €120m over three years to ransack players from one country – Van Nistelrooy, Van Der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Huntelaar, and Drenthe for very little gain.
Only RVN’s smashing form panned out as he scored 45 goals in 67 league games over three seasons. He is out with a knee injury, the only player in that sextet that can claim legitimate reasons for not playing. Juande Ramos under utilized the rest of the them with Sneijder and Van Der Vaart used from the bench.
So far it is only Huntelaar that has left for Milan. His place has been taken by Karim Benzema. In midfield, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael Van De Vaart will get very little playing time with Kaka and Alonso ahead of them. With Raul Albiol and Marcelo ahead of him, Drenthe is also expendable at the left back position.
Robben’s price tag and now his form off the bench has led Pellegrini to declare him off limits. But Robben so far has looked even better than Cristiano Ronaldo which could lead to an interesting tussle between the two. When he is on top, Robben can be a killer, with his speed, changes of pace, and ability to expand and collapse the game.
However, the transfer market away from Spain is depressed and to recoup about €100m in player sales going forward will be enormously difficult. Real might have to wait till January as clubs scramble to find players who can push for the title or stave off relegation.