FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Just yesterday don Bernd was complaining, again, that he needed more players before the season starts.  Specifically, Schuster was expounding to the "press" how he needed forwards.  Yet, judging from what I have seen, he has two already that know their way around defenders.  Robinho and Saviola both, according to what I've seen and read, put on a nice display against Eintracht Frankfurt.  Sources tell me that Robinho was the class of the match.  Sources also said that Saviola routinely carved up Frankfurt's defenders, albeit he did not finish well.  Robinho and Saviola, fit, in rare form, and carving up defenders; why yes, ma'am.  I would in fact like another scoop of that ice cream.

This is - for us Real Madrid fans - a pleasant ray of sunshine in what has been a farce of a Silly Season.  Speculation has been scattered about all summer about this Cristiano Ronaldo business (the latest gossip being that Sir Alex would have let CR go to Barcelona for half of what the Glazers wanted from Real) with a few mentions of KaKa and David Villa thrown in here or there as plan B options.  As an aside, David Villa, so we can be clear, should be Plan B to no one, not even the undisputed best player in the world.  If Real Madrid were to place David Villa on it's front line Bernd Schuster would be able to nap on the sidelines.  I'm talking auto-pilot.

Furthermore, Chelsea, in case you weren't paying attention, is about to up their offer to Real Madrid to a cool 50 million for Robinho.  Although this does certainly make me unhappy because I like seeing Robinho carve up opposing defenses, it has a silver lining.  Much of the soccer press has been busy speculating that Robinho is not happy at Madrid.  He was injured but he still wanted to go to the Olympics.  He might want to play for Scolari.  He might want to be the go-to guy at Chelsea.  If Chelsea reaches the magic number, then sadly Madrid should let Robinho go.  if he is not going to be happy in a locker room that has a low tolerance for immaturity then take those 50 million euro and let him go.  If, however, Robinho stays the silver lining here is obvious.

There is now more room for Robinho than there was before.  If he stays he will be an impact player.  There has been but one new addition this offseason and it has been at midfield.  Robinho is an attacking midfielder, almost a forward.  He will have more minutes and both Robinho and Saviola (as well as Higuain and Robben) have become acclamated to the way Schuster runs his shop.  As much as Schuster has complained routinely about not getting the players he wants; in Robinho, Saviola and Higuain - he certainly has all the talent that he needs.