FanNation - The Republic of Sport

To begin with, this team is in the middle of exciting liga and champions league play. Despite what we might think, there is a time to discuss acquisitions and a time not to talk about it.

With Barcelona, Valencia, Villarreal and Sevilla all ready to win the Liga and an expectedly tight race at Champions league level; the focus in Valdebebas, rightly so, is on winning now, not later.

Right, it's up to Man U. Like a team's willingness to sell has ever been respected in the game of football. CR7 will be just another election puppet when Calderon's term expires and he's up for re-election.

I forget the exact date but I think CRonaldo is signed through 2012, which means United doesn't have to do anything about him until 2011. With that said, Ramon Calderon has perfected the art of talking out both sides of his mouth. This week, he says he's moving on. But next week, Marca will report that Real will offer $1 billion for CRonaldo and any future off-spring he and his topless model girlfriend have. He's like the rejected boyfriend who thinks his money will buy him happiness and the girl of his dreams.

United holds the cards here. They will eventually sell Ronaldo, but it won't be for another couple of years.

So instead of forever, Calderon should amend that to about 2 years.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 01:02 PM ET  10.25 by J. HOVA: PRIMETIME

United holds the cards here. They will eventually sell Ronaldo, but it won't be for another couple of years.So instead of forever, Calderon should amend that to about 2 years.

I dont fully agree with that, team's never hold the cards with their players. Sure he's signed, but, do you really want an unhappy player on your team, moaning every week about wanting to leave? It does nothing for team harmony and if his play is indifferent, it hurts everyone else on the team. If he doesn't sign an extension next summer, he's gone. There's no chance United lets his contract run, which in turn kills his value. Last summer was his peak value, but they still have a chance to get 50-60M quid next summer.

Look, they need a striker. Ruud can't do it all up front. Raul is simply past his prime. Higuian will get you maybe 7-10 goals a year - tops. Saviola?? I guess we'll never know.

I pray that they leave this man in Manchester and admit they slept on him when he was at Sporting. ManU turned him into a monster and he'll NEVER wear white. That's football for ya. Find your own C. Ronaldo. You've already lost your most creative player in Robinho over this futile pursuit. Move the **** on...PLEASE.

And find a young, hungry target man.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 02:46 PM ET  10.25 by MadridistAmericano

Look, they need a striker. Ruud can't do it all up front. Raul is simply past his prime. Higuian will get you maybe 7-10 goals a year - tops. Saviola?? I guess we'll never know. I pray that they leave this man in Manchester and admit they slept on him when he was at Sporting. ManU turned him into a monster and he'll NEVER wear white. That's football for ya. Find your own C. Ronaldo. You've already lost your most creative player in Robinho over this futile pursuit. Move the **** on...PLEASE.And find a young, hungry target man.

PLEASE.And find a young, hungry target man

i have to agree, hopefully calderon and schuster will get a baller youngster relatively unheard of who can come out of the woodwork for them, instead of buying someone else's star

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 03:55 PM ET  10.25 by CUtigerssoccer

PLEASE.And find a young, hungry target mani have to agree, hopefully calderon and schuster will get a baller youngster relatively unheard of who can come out of the woodwork for them, instead of buying someone else's star

Thats not the Madrid way. This is probably Benzeema's last year in Lyon, they'll surely duke it out with Chelsea and Barca for him next summer.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 02:18 PM ET  10.25 by Red Devils99

I dont fully agree with that, team's never hold the cards with their players. Sure he's signed, but, do you really want an unhappy player on your team, moaning every week about wanting to leave? It does nothing for team harmony and if his play is indifferent, it hurts everyone else on the team. If he doesn't sign an extension next summer, he's gone. There's no chance United lets his contract run, which in turn kills his value. Last summer was his peak value, but they still have a chance to get 50-60M quid next summer.

Actually you are right. I have blogged about that, the power the player has. United does hold some cards but Ronaldo does have the power to get his way out.

At the end of the day Ronaldo will be Real Madrid player. I just think it will be in about a year or two.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 03:55 PM ET  10.25 by CUtigerssoccer

PLEASE.And find a young, hungry target mani have to agree, hopefully calderon and schuster will get a baller youngster relatively unheard of who can come out of the woodwork for them, instead of buying someone else's star

Nah, that ain't Madrid's way. They let someone else do the development then they sweep in.

Good, now focus on Bezema.

I don't understand how Real Madrid can produce good players from their academies, but play better for other teams than they do for Real Madrid. Soldado at Benfica, Mata at Valencia, De La Red and Granero at Getafe last year, Javi Garcia at Osasuna last year, Raul Garcia at Atletico, and the list goes on. And there's also Arbeloa at Liverpool.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:06 PM ET  10.25 by Big Chaco

Good, now focus on Bezema. I don't understand how Real Madrid can produce good players from their academies, but play better for other teams than they do for Real Madrid. Soldado at Benfica, Mata at Valencia, De La Red and Granero at Getafe last year, Javi Garcia at Osasuna last year, Raul Garcia at Atletico, and the list goes on. And there's also Arbeloa at Liverpool.

They'd be well served to take a page from Barca's book. They're the insecure rich kid. They've got a few BMW's and a Mercedes in the driveway, but, they go buy a Ferarri and a Porche just because. For all of the money they spend, how isn't the credit crunch and world economy affecting them or is it all smoke and mirrors?

It's all timing, Location, and Money......not to mention the lack of enthusiasm by rival organized crime members who run the city of Manchester. Economics is hurting even them.

I wonder if the CR dilemna isn't his position. He doesn't play up all the way front and would not do so in Liga because he would not be able to take the beating; Liga is not as tough a league as the EPL but a physical league nevertheless. In EPL he benefits from Rooney's toughness up front a lot; seldom having to do the dirty work himself. Madrid has a lot of talent up front but they have no one like Rooney.

The other option is for CR to play back, either in midfield or as some mid/forward hybrid. The options are better for Madrid here but CR won't be able to take the quick-counters that dominate Spanish play. As young as Garc??a, Gago and De La Red are, they know how to be physical when the time calls for it. CR does not.

None of this is definitive fact but when one looks at Liga play, it is not forwards that win games, it is well-rounded midfields. Check the standings in Liga play, the top four teams all have notable strength at midfield: Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal.

CR brings nothing to that table. Yes, he is the best in the world but how much more pressure would a player like Gago, Diarra, Sneijder, De La Red have to put up with just to have CR on the field?