The "REAL" Ronaldo Saga





DISCLAIMER: ANY RELATION OF ANY PERSON LIVING OR DEAD IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL AND UNINTENTIONAL(ALTHOUGH IN ALL LIKELINESS YOU MAY MOST PROBABLY FIND ONE). THIS POST IS NOT MEANT TO HURT OR POKE FUN AND HUMILIATE ANYONE, AT SOME POINT DURING READING IT YOU WILL CERTAINLY FEEL OTHERWISE...BUT PLEASE TAKE IT IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT AND ENJOY



Manchester United had just won the English premier league...just - and that meant his stay there was over.
He knew it. Everyone knew it.
So now was the time for a vacation and predictably he took a flight to the Spanish capital. He checked into The Hilton. Well he always does(His personal favourite is the one in the french capital. They call it the Paris Hilton).
Nevertheless the very next day he had a meeting with Senor Perez.
He had to get ready for it. The meeting took place as follows.

Cristiano - Hello

Perez - Good morning. So you have finally taken your decision?

Cristiano - Oh yes that was quite obvious wasn't it. Had I not taken the appropriate one I might have been shot down! After all you made an offer I couldn't refuse.


AN UNSEEN IMAGE OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED
WHEN HE FIRST
REFUSED THE OFFER


Perez -I must say you are not a dimwit after all. But do you know the implications of this move?

Cristiano - Oh yes. I know. Manchester United have already been disqualified from the international diving fraternity championship and if I am not wrong Real have been awarded a wild card entry!

Perez - You are rightly informed. You are the sole reason that such prestige is bestowed upon my team. But the United Youth squad is still in the competition under Luis 'wannabe Ronaldo' Nani.

Cristiano - Ah, that won't matter much...So how much are you going to pay
SAF?

Perez - £ 5 million

Cristiano - Only
£5 million for my transfer?

Perez - Oh no the total amount is much more.

Perez reaches his pocket to show Ronaldo a cheque worth
£80 million

Perez - £5 million goes to Sir Alex only as goodwill.

Cristiano -
hmm.... Now that the deal is final. Where do you want me to play? You know I'm versatile...

Perez - Centre Back or Right Wing Back

Cristiano - What the .... (almost faints)

Perez - I can explain. You will have to play in that position only for three months. Then everything will be normal

Cristiano - how is that?

Perez - I have been blamed a lot for wasting top quality players by bench warming sessions. I have had enough of it. So I will let some of the wastes play ahead for some time and in three months time all will be able to play together?

Cristiano - How?

Perez - I have appealed to fifa to change the number of on field players from 11 to 15


Cristiano - Are you nuts?

Perez - it is going to cost me £127.45million

Cristiano - fine tell me who is the real boss...you are too dumb to run this thing.

Perez - Easy boy...easy I'm just kidding. Just checking your sense of humour. So are you looking forward to making new friends at Real?

Christiano - oh yess!


Perez - Anyone in particular?

Christiano - Raul...I want to ask him when he is going to retire...i desperately want that no. 7 jersey. There can only be one star you know and no prizes for guessing who you have just bought for
£80 million.

Perez - Very well. Now...will you be able to adjust your play with Kaka?

Cristiano - I don't need to. Once I get the ball ...I keep it!

Perez - You think you are Alec Smart do you? I can't allow you to play.. if that is what you intend to do.

Christiano - Then you will waste your money?


After thinking for a while...

Perez - Crap! You win...but remember we are Real Madrid and you are not the only star.

Best of luck Christiano .

With One of his trademark winks Ronaldo leaves the room with only one thought in mind...With me in the team there can be only one star...



So this is how the meeting went and after that was the unveiling of the star...a very costly one indeed.








You can expect to read many more such classified eavesdropped conversations from the football world. Keep checking this space for more such meetings, interviews, discussions...

Coming up next is Ronaldo's candlelight dinner with Sir Alex Dumbledore and (all in)vain Rooney
To be continued...

A Football Paradise correspondent,
Don Vico

Who says La Liga will be the best?



With all the hype surrounding the biggest players in world football coming to La Liga, the Spanish league is now being considered as the best in the world. Real Mad-rid are going berserk over their transfers signing star after star, but does it guarantee success?

Forget the success, lets concentrate on the teams likely to win the La-Liga this season. Only two teams come to my mind. Real and Barcelona. Certainly, either of these two will win the La Liga this season. To add to that, if one of these teams fails to impress consistently, it will turn into a one-horse race. I can't see both failing.

Compare this with the English Premier League. Certainly not much superstars to show this seaon, but does it matter? If you see the big teams struggling against the weaker ones, you enjoy it! Don't you? This means the fight for the Premier League this season is going to be very very tough.





With United losing Ronaldo and Tevez, certainly they have weakened as a strike force. United's signings have not been big, but they've been tricky. One cannot predict how Owen, Obertan and Valencia will perform. But I hope Ferguson's gambling turns out to be a master stroke.


Chelsea have not been over-indulged in the transfer market signing only Zhirkov and Sturridge as their first-team probables. They have always been a force to be reckoned with over the past few years and I cannot see it changing. Probably, their biggest signing of the summer has been Carlo Ancelotti. Given his past records, he is certainly capable of taking Chelsea past the finishing line as winners.



Liverpool are nowhere to be seen in the transfer market this season because of the 'debt' they had acquired. If they hold onto atleast one of their midfield duo, they are surely capable of mounting a serious title challenge. So, will they be able to break their drought and win their 19th English title?


Arsenal have only signed dependable centre-back Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax. Adebayor's departure has weakened them a little bit. But with Van Persie, Walcott and Eduardo as strikers, they need not worry much. Scoring goals has not ever been a problem for Arsenal, its the defence which was fragile last season. Wenger has signed the perfect player they needed the most and with 1 more month to go in the transfer market, I can certainly see Arsenal signing one more new face. Will the young brigade be able to mount a title challenge or will they have to fight for the 4th spot again. Only time will tell.







High spending ManCity have added some quality players to their squad but I don't think they will finish the season as champions. Breaking into the top four would be huge achievement for them. Tottenham have a great manager in Harry Redknapp and certainly a good enough squad to break into the top four. Everton have been consistent long enough now and it would be stupid to underestimate them.

So, with the champions spot up for grabs and uncertainty about Arsenal's top four status, they are the most exciting topics to talk about his season. So now who says La Liga will be the best???



After Real have had an initial bid of £25m rejected they had slipped in a cheeky £22m bid to to test Rafa's patience and Alonso's will. But Benitez is holding on to the 35m euros price tag that he has slapped on Alonso. I have a feeling that the Alonso deal will go through to the horror of much Liverpool supporters but to Rafa's delight Madrid may have to cough up atleast more than £30m to get their 1st choice target. A penny less and Rafa wouldn't budge. Moreover Alonso doesn't want to make the situation messy by handing in a transfer request. There are very few players of Alonso's quality in the world at the moment and Real may not want to miss out on him since their team needs a Galactico playmaker.

Targets To Replace Alonso:
With Real hot on Xabi's trail ,there are many linkups in the transfer market with Alonso's replacement.
Here are Rafa's prime targets:
  • Javi Martinez : Rafa has been a old admirer of his skills and the energetic Athletic Bilbao midfielder has top European clubs vying for his services. Valued at £12m.

  • David Silva : Another of Benitez's long term target - however the playmaker is more adept at playing wide left and behind the striker than the orthodox playmaker role. Valued at £18m.

  • Gaetano D'Agostino : The Udinese midfielder is best known for his incisive passing in the centre of the park. However Juventus are also interested in the Italian midfielder. Valued at £12m.

  • Alberto Aquilani : Aquilani has just signed a new contract at Roma which would keep him till 2013. The Italian has just returned to full fitness after an injury wrecked season. Valued at £15m.

  • Lee Cattermole : The combative English Midfielder is not for sale according to Wigan and may possible be last on Rafa's list to replace Alonso. Wigan are holding out for £8m. He may just boost the English player requirement for the Champions League. More of an adequate replacement for Lucas than Alonso if you ask me. Valued at £6m.
The stage is set for Alonso to leave Anfield. However Benitez would do all he can to keep Javier Mascherano and fend off interest from Barcelona. Mascherano is reportedly unhappy because of his current wages. Benitez is ready to treble his wages and keep hold of him.


This page will be updated whenever we get further news on the story. Stay tuned.


16/07/09 - 0830 GMT
Benitez preparing squad keeping in mind Alonso's departure
Reports in Italy today claim that Liverpool have sent a delegation to Roma to further discuss on the move. Benitez is ready to offer money in the region of £15m

1500 GMT
Agent of Alberto Aquilani has denied reports linking Aquilani to Liverpool saying no contact has been established.

2000 GMT
However we understand Liverpool have sent a delegation to Roma. Our sources confirm Frank Trimboli is one of the Liverpool representatives present in Italy.

17/07/09 - 1600 GMT
Roma manager Luciano Spalleti has accepted that offers coming in for Aquilani will be considered.

"We need to be open and listen to any type of offers that are proposed to us," he said.

"We are not worried, we know what we need to do.

"There will probably be two or three transfer market deals done and I am convinced we will be able to work well."

Aquilani under contract with Roma until 2013 and despite Spalletti's admission, club director Bruno Conti insists no approach has been received as yet.

"The situation as it is right now is that Aquilani will remain until there is a team that makes an offer," Conti said to Mediaset.

"Once this happens then we will see."


19/07/19

Alonso looks set to commit his future to Anfield for another year. We learn that Alonso is hesitant to put in a transfer request because of the relationship he shares with the fans. The Liverpool supporters had given him immense backing when Rafa was about to sell him last summer. Which means either Real produce the quoted
£35m or forget signing Alonso.

21/07/09

Exclusive:
We've got inside information that Liverpool have agreed a fee of
£15.6m for Alberto Aquilani. We understand that this may be the initial price to be paid and subsequent performance related add-ons may be added later. The accepted offer will enable Liverpool to negotiate further regarding contract details and personal player terms.

30/07/09

We understand that Xabi Alonso has handed in a transfer request. Real have now stalled at their offered fee of
£26m. Rafa is still holding out for a possible £35m.
We understand that Real Madrid want to some more time than the 48 hour deadline set by Benitez.

31/07/09

Balague offers more insight to the transfer saga.

Balague said:

"Real Madrid have pushed for Liverpool to extend their deadline on the deal to Monday in order that the Premiership club take time to consider a new player plus cash offer.

"Negredo, Van der Vaart or Huntelaar are the Real Madrid players in question, and the respective fee would depend upon whichever player Liverpool are willing to acept.

"Of the three Madrid players, Negredo would most suit Benitez' need for an additional striker, but Liverpool have always maintained that they have no desire to engage in a player exchange with Real Madrid and that they will only accept a cash payment – and the two sides continue to disagree over that amount as well.

"Liverpool were yesterday sticking to their €35 million (plus €5 million add-ons) valuation, while Real Madrid are still proposing a €25 million deal."


Ferguson has announced that he is not going to buy any more players this summer. Following are the reasons that justify why this is just an eye-wash:

1. He has lost two of his big big players in Ronaldo and Tevez. The 3 players he has bought this season, Valencia, Obertan and Owen, two of them being wingers, are, according to him, enough to fill the boots vacated by Ronaldo and Tevez. According to me, they are not. You just can't see around 45 goals being shared by these three.

2. ManUtd legends, Giggs and Scholes are no longer capable of winning matches single-handedly. They are on the wrong side of 30 and are soon going to retire. So, effectively, two less players in the squad. Giggs, who had a fantastic last term, is surely not going to repeat it at the age of 36.

3. The defence is not a problem at all. ManUtd are secured in that department. The problem is where are the goals going to come from in desperate situations. In these times, Ronaldo always came up with match-winners and helped ManUtd edge the close encounters. Tevez also used to do the same. Ronaldo and Tevez both are gone.

4. Michael Owen, howmuchever a prolific goalscorer he may be, has not had even a decent season for the past 4-5 seasons. To add to that, he has always been injury-prone. So, there is no guarantee that Owen will perform wonders this season.

5. Valencia, is not at all a goal-scorer. He only creates, creates and creates. I can't see more than 7-8 goals from him this season.

Now the gambling Alex Ferguson is doing, is, that he is relying on Berbatov to show his class. Nani and Anderson to step-up. And Rooney to give the goals. I hope his gambling does work. With the current squad, ManUtd are certainly capable of challenging for all the trophies. But to win it, is altogether different.

I expect to see 1 more big signing from Ferguson. Money ain't the problem. He will definitely target 1 big player he sees fit to fill the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle.

The "Carletto" Makeover

The Roman Abramovich owned Chelsea FC has been infamous for its big spending on star-studded players like Shevchenko and Deco who didn't live upto their expectations during their spell at The Stamford Bridge. The Russian billionaire is also accused for changing his managers faster than the songs on his I-pod.

Not much to everyone's surprise, Chelsea signed the 4 time Champions League winning manager (twice as a player) Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti has taken charge as the Chelsea manager on July 1, 09. Surprizingly, the big spending Chelsea which is popular as the ageing side of English Premier League, has made big investments for the future in this transfer window. Within a week of his appointment, Carlo has signed the former Middlesbrough 24-year old Goal Keeper Ross Turnbull on a free transfer, Daniel Sturridge, the 19-year old budding striker from Manchester City and 25-year old CSKA Moscow Left Back Yuri Zhirkov for a fee of £18million .

Turnbull's contract at Middlesbrough had ran out and he didn't wish to continue with the relegated Riverside club. He has signed a 4-year deal and joins Hilário and Petr Čech in the Chelsea first team squad. He is seen as the second choice Goal Keeper and replacement for Carlo Cudicini who was transferred to Tottenham Hotspur in January .

Daniel "Danny" Sturridge chose to sign for Chelsea over his former club Manchester City, where the fans had chosen him as the Manchester City Young Player of the Season. Danny believes he has a better scope for improvement at Chelsea and can learn and flourish under the guidance of Chelsea greats like Drogba. Chelsea were lacking in a reliable backup for their strike power in event of suspension and injuries. Franco di Santo and Danny have filled up the void and are seen as the hot future prospects of Chelsea.

As claimed by the fans, Yuri Zhirkov is considered as the best signing upto now. Chelsea has had its weakness on the wings in the recent past. Occasionally, Anelka, Kalou, Belletti, Ballack and Deco were made to play on left wing due to the lack of a full-time winger. Chelsea had signed Quaresma on a season long loan deal in January, but within a short time Malouda recovered from his injury and Quaresma's services couldn't be utilized fully. With the arrival of Yuri Zhirkov, Chelsea has opened up options for the left wing position. Zhirkov is basically a Left Back but the young, talented and versatile player can also play brilliantly on the left mid-field.

The ex-AC Milan manager, Carlo within his first week of arrival at the South London Club has stunned the Chelsea fans with his brilliant transfer moves. With seven more weeks of the summer transfer window open, The Blues can expect many more surprises.

Micheal Owen - Mancs Point Of View



I don't know where to start , I am both Devastated and Startled By the Michael Owen Deal . For I have grown up Hating him from day one like many of the Manchester United Fans . He snubbed us when he was fourteen . And I have grown up abusing this guy who carried Liverpool bandwagon on is shoulders for nearly a decade . For a Manc , His credits Sucked then . A Liverpool player . A Real Moneydrid player and then A Newcastle Player. I never expected then that The KOP legend will have to be cheered by Stretford end . Never.

Why is this Deal very good ?
  1. Michael Owen is a renowned striker , And he certainly can score goals .
  2. If He is a Hit , Its a masterstroke , If he is not . Why the heck would we care
  3. We Got him for free !
  4. The salary is too low .
  5. The Fans would be ecstatic if he scores a winner at KOP
Sir Alex Ferguson has shown us exactly why is he a mastermind . You go and sign a player who has proved himself in scoring Goals , That too for free . And his wages are peanuts as compared to other strikers of his class . And He won't Mind being a third choice because he has nowhere else to go . So The biggest problem that Greedy Argentine had , Will be no more .
And one more thing , Michael Owen might try to impress Fabio and try to earn few more caps .
Plus he will benifit us if the 6+5 Rule is implied .

There are just two things why I would even think to rule out this Signing as One of the Best of its Kind
  1. First one is that He was a Scuoser .
  2. And the second one that he is made up of glass
If he stays fit for at least say 15 matches , And that too a Substitute appearance I would be more than happy concluding this a s a successful Signing .
It would take time to show our support to him .Because its just the oddest thing , The Guy whom you have so hated since you started watching football . And you are supposed to sing the chants of his right now . Its hard , But the Hatred will fade away . Eventually it has to .

I will just say , " Sir Alex its a very Good deal in a footballing sense " .

Its Weird , But Hope Owen does well in his spell at Manchester united and tries to Reignite his career . And in addition to that I am just imagining the scene . Owen scoring a winner at KOP and kissing the badge , And after we win EPL title ( If we do ) Owen screaming at scousers " We Have got the 19 th " !


Alonso - Mascherano saga

After having a successful premier league campaign last term and pushing United for the title upto the very end Liverpool have learned one thing about themselves - they have a title winning squad. And with Ronaldo gone to Madrid they look pretty stronger than United as of now.
They challenge they face this transfer window is a bit different - they don't need to buy a chunk of squad players this time around - the spine of the team is already in place with :

Reina
Agger/Carra/Skrtel
Alonso/Mascherano
Gerrard/Torres



Now for the second stage of Benitez title assault he must not loose any of these players. But recent interest from Real and Barcelona for midfield duo Alonso/Mascherano may end up as an obstacle for the Red's title assault next season.







The Alonso situation:
Rafa Benitez must be gutted he even thought about selling Alonso to Juventus for £16m last summer. The scintillating performances Alonso produced last season has attracted attention from a host of top clubs across Europe - most notibly Real Madrid. Real have once again usurped the Galactico era by signing Kaka & Ronaldo ; and with big names like Benzema and Ribery to follow suit, Alonso will surely be tempted to join Real. But Benitez has claimed that Alonso is not for sale and some reports suggests that even a £35m bid would not be enough to price away the talented midfielder.





The Mascherano situation:
Mascherano has been tempted by his Argentine team-mate & friend Lionel Messi to join him at the Nou Camp. The player himself might be interested in joining the Catalans after the impressive treble winning season they have had. There are some reports that Mascherano is unhappy because of his wages - a meagre £25,000 and would conside staying if that problem is resovled whereas some state that his pregnant wife does not want to return to England. Benitez is ready to treble his wages but the current scenario is yet unclear.







  • Recent reports suggests that both Real and Barcelona will table a combined bid nearing £60m for Alonso and Mascherano.
  • There is another twist in Alonso saga as well - Real sociedad would get 20% of the transfer fee offered to Liverpool but this clause is valid upto July 18. So expect the saga to sulk for another 3 weeks!
  • Sources close to Alonso reveal that he isn't agitated to ignite a move to the Bernabeu and would be more than happy to stay at Anfield.
  • Barcelona are heavily interested in Mascherano and will start off with a £25m bid which is likely to get rejected but anything in excess of £30m accompanied by a plea from Mascherano would compel Benitez to sell the Argentine captain.


With 80 Million Pounds in the Kitty it was no secret that Fergie is going to sign someone to fill the void left by departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez , And the Ecuador international was the First of his summer signings .

The skilled winger has won more than 30 caps for his country . And his overall performance in campaign earned him a nomination for FIFA's best young player . Catching eye of Most of the managers , But it was Wigan Boss who won the race for his signature .

" He is very direct , You can tell he is a worker and he's got a great pace ," Irwin told MUTV .
Valencia can not perform moves for the camera , But he certainly can run past defenders and that's what you need in a Winger . He has got a great pace , Decent crossing abilities . He prefers playing on a Right wing , But can also provide the ammunition from CAM position . United have least got a Winger and a good one .

Some of The Pro Red Devils say that he can be trusted with the sacred jersey , And the Others Believe Fergie is going to add a Big name to the squad and Award him the 7 no. Another Manc Was quoted " We now have two nanis and two Da' Silvas , And Nobody wouldd know if they Switch."
Hope Vaencia does good , And Helps in filling the voids left by Ronaldo . Show us your Magic Antonio . Show us your Magic .