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I have seen Roberto Soldado very little. 

Fact of the matter is that he never played much at all for me to gain an appreciation of his game.  Yet, today he left Austria and Real Madrid's summer camp to return to Madrid where he will sooner or later join Getafe.  The criticism was that Soldado did not have a the ball control skills to succeed up-front for Real Madrid.  As is noticeable on my profile, I celebrate an icon of Spanish soccer but when was the last time he beat anyone with his ball skills?  There is a real chance that Burgundy Jr. might have Raul as his middle name but at no point do I delude myself that Raul is not the baller that Robinho is, that Robben is, or that even Saviola is.  So here are the words I have for people who think that Soldado could not be a quality player for Real Madrid. 

Rubbish. 

Poppycock. 

Hogwash. 

Bullcrap. 

Real Madrid has a history of doing more with less at the forward positions.  Raul, Juanito, Carlos Santilla, McManaman, and yes even Butragueno all had limitations in terms of ball control skills.  However, they are permanently etched in the lore of the club because they won games for the club despite their limitations. 

Let me repeat that for those at home.  This club was built on blue-collar guys.  This club was not built upon galacticos.  Now, once again, we won't get to see just how blue-collar Roberto Soldado can be on a soccer field.  This club was built upon players just like Roberto Soldado - a player that few of us are ever going to see - and no matter how many superstars this club attracts it is the lack of guys like Roberto Soldado that is going to keep this team at it's current level.  Yeah, I said that.  Schuster and Co. can bring in all the supertalent they want - it is the lack of canterano and in-house, developed, players that is going to keep this club from winning the Copa del Rey and the Champions league.

On this same day, Schuster is going to the "press" (Marca), again, to complain about how hard his job is because neither the President or the GM keep him informed of current events within the club.  On this same day Schuster criticizes his bosses for not giving him the players he needs (drafts and transfers) to help the club get better.  On this same day Roberto Soldado is sent to Getafe in their repeated attempts to become a top tier club.  On this same day Dani Parejo is sent to the Queens Park Rangers as they attempt to make it to the EPL.  On this same day that the price is set for Rafael Van Der Vaart at 10 million euros, Roberto Soldado and Dani Parejo are sent packing.

Yes, this is a business.  Yes, there are politics.  But neither of those facts take away from the simple truth that we, Real Madrid, lost talent today.  Losing, in sports, is never good.