I’m Getting Sick

By: Cesar | August 2nd, 2007

Not to give anyone cringe-inducing images, but it looks like Real Madrid is after one of our summer transfer objectives, Porto’s Lucho Gonzales.

It makes me want to get on all fours and lose my lunch. How disgusting would that be? We knock on the door, bang our heads against the wall, offer everything under the Levante sun to get the lad and Madrid waltz in with their money bags and fetch the midfielder.

Uggh … what else can I say but UGGH? This on the heels of further optimistic news from France that Kim Kallstrom’s staying put at Lyon, our 14M Euro bid for the classy midfielder rebuffed by the French champions.

We’re a mere week and a half (less?)from our first competitive game, a Champions League qualifier against a yet-to-be-named opponent. And we’re still lacking the one player that will lead us, that could get us over the hump. Do you really trust Edu? Baraja? Viana? Oh wait, he’s gone.

Really, this is one area where we need an impact player. Yet we’re constantly getting negative responses to our inquiries. It’s like asking someone out on a date … we keep getting rejected, our shoulders slumping at every giggle made to our face, every ‘No!’ exclaimed.

First Wesley Sneijder, then Lucho (Uggh!), now Kim Kallstrom … who next? I’m not sure, maybe we’ll be rebuffed by Arsenal for Cesc Fabregas? Oh wait …

Anyways, one bit of good news coming from Paterna is that defender Asier Del Horno is back training with the squad. You’ll remember that the Spanish international and former Chelsea starlet was banished to the nether regions to play one-on-one with the likes of Curro Torres. Now, he’s factoring into Quique Sanchez Flores’s plans, negating our need for an extra defender.

This is good news in my opinion. He’s quality and surely gives the squad experienced depth. In response to reader Oli’s question of what is my preferred back four, I’d have to say it’s Miguel (one of the best in the world at his position)-Alexis-Albiol-Moretti. Let’s give Del Horno a chance to fight for Moretti’s spot. Also, we’re dubious of the central pairing of Alexis and Albiol, two neophytes if there ever were ones, but Marchena shined in the defensive midfielder role last season and Helguera? I’ve never rated him as a center-back. True, he’s passionate and will run a marathon on the pitch. But we all remember Madrid’s defense these past few years. Let’s keep Helguera on the bench and as a substitute, where he belongs.

So the new stadium’s being constructed as of yesterday, a Champions League opponent will be decided tomorrow. Maybe a new midfield general? Maybe a striker? The money saved on a defender will come in handy.

I haven’t chosen a name for my jersey as of yet, but I’m leaning towards Silva. He’s young, he’s super-talented and although Villa’s the popular pick, Silva’s the trendier. And you must know I stay on top of trends … Ok, maybe not.

And on we go at the Mestalla …