For Real Madrid fans it has been an awfully quiet summer in the transfer department, mainly because the club officials have claimed time and again that Christiano Ronaldo is the only target for this year. Media claimed a spat between Madrid President who said that "It is Christiano or no one" and Manager Schuster's counter claim that if that is the case he is the last one to know, is now all resolved. At the press conference after their pre-season friendly match against Hamburg FC in the Emirates cup, the question was put forth to Schuster on the possibility of signing Rafael van der Vaart who has been supposedly a long time target. The Hamburg midfielder was conspicuously missing in the game against Madrid. Schuster said, Rafael is one of the players Real is monitoring but everything will depend on whether Christiano joins or not. It seemed more as though the Dutchman was more of a back up plan.A day later media claimed that Real lodged a 5M bid and was rejected right away by Hamburg. Real was anticipating that Rafael can exercise a move next year for just over a million and that this was the time to negotiate with Hamburg. Sunday Real played Arsenal and lost by a lone goal from Adebayor. The unfortunate incident of the night was second half substitute Wesley Sneijder being stretchered off after a poor tackle from Diaby. Obviously the Dutchman was in severe pain and the fear of ligament damage and possible 6 months away from the game was going to be a disaster for Madrid.
Monday morning the good news was that the MRI scans showed that Sneijder could be out only for about 3 months and the even better news was that Real made an official statement on their website stating that the Spanish Champions have reached an agreement with the German club in the transfer of Rafael van der Vaart, subject to clearing a medical and then an official presentation on the President's balcony on Tuesday. Though the fee was not mentioned it is rumored that Hamburg was set to benefit 9M on the Dutchman.
Without a doubt Rafael van der Vaart is a superb addition to the roster, and along with the long list of Dutchmen like Sneijder, Van Nistelrooy, Drenthe and Robben is sure to add some real quality. Just 25 years of age he is for sure one of the superstars in Holland. Coming through the ranks of the Ajax youth system like a lot of Dutch stars, has done some superb things in his career which has also been tainted by fair share of injuries. An amazing stat on van der Vaart is that for an Attacking midfielder he scored 18 goals in 21 league games in 02/03 season which earned him a well deserved European Player of the Year in 2003. van der Vaart has had more limelight off the pitch than on, when he was romantically involved to Sylvie, a Dutch model and actress who was voted the sexiest female in Holland in 2005. Their wedding was shown live on the prime network in Holland. Amidst interest from clubs like AC Milan, van der Vaart decided to join German outfit Hamburg and was a key player for them as well as is leaving them after 3 seasons as their Captain.
It will be interesting to see how Schuster manages his midfield. If it is going to be the rotation of last year, which was more of the Manager being unsure and not giving players the playing time they need. Sneijder came from Ajax as a left sided attacking midfielder. He was moved to an attacking midfielder role in the center playing right behind the strikers and he was a success. Scoring 9 goals on his way to a title in the first year with his team, Sneijder was superb in his set piece play and open play goals. He was one of the less heralded transfers last season and the lack of pressure probably helped. van der Vaart is very similar in playing style to Sneijder. Since Wesley is injured and if van der Vaart plays decent in the same position then Schuster definitely has a problem on hand. Marco Van Basten used both Sneijder and van der Vaart in midfield in the Euros this year and though they were decent as a combination Sneijder really outshone his new club team mate. Madrid's success in midfield is rather an unorganized mode that Schuster uses, where Sneijder though is supposed to be positioned on the right, really has a floating role. From what i have seen van der Vaart is primarily left footed, is a set piece specialist and can take long shots and brings home a decent kitty of goals every season. Would Schuster be tempted to play Sneijder and van der Vaart behind his strikers and have Robben or Robinho play on the right wing is to be seen. With "contract for life" Guti holding on to a spot, is Madrid making the mistake of stacking up too many players of the same kind? It is the likes of Baptista, Sneijder, Guti and now van der Vaart battling for one spot. Roma could very well renew their interest now and could see Madrid accept the 15M bid for Baptista.
We still have about 25 days to go for the transfer window to close, if indeed Christiano Ronaldo joins the Capital city club, it will be without a doubt one of the most formidable midfield's in Europe. Well 5 years back we had Zidane, Figo and Beckham on the pitch wearing the white shirt, but then lets hope it is different....
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