Kaka' Rossonero! Ciao Manchester City!

Torrente wrote:

Red n' Black wrote:I used to be a big fan of Joaquin too.

Why didn't Real get him from Betis? Was Real not interested back then or Betis unwilling to sell to Real?

He was literally begging Madrid to buy him, giving hints like "Everyone tells me I should sign for Madrid".

But the season where we could have gotten Ronaldinho, Etoó, or Joaquin (or all 3), Perez decided to get Beckham in order to sell some more shirts.

Choosing Walter Samuel over Samuel Eto'o is a decision that will be rued by my children's children.

Perez: "Why do we need Eto'o or Ronaldinho? We Have Zidane and Ronaldo"

He clearly must have had some sort of anti ageing potion.

Do you blame him? What would Etoo and Ronaldinho do stuck behind those two, who were clearly better at the time?

I think letting Etoo go is a decision that you look back upon with a bit too much benefit of hindsight. As for Ronaldinho, I'm not really convinced you were seriously in for him...yes he may have been offered, but in the way that any 19 year old who scores a goal in Brazil is offered to all big clubs in Europe.

I seem to remember signing Michael Owen the year that we let Eto'o go so Perez's excuse about Ronaldo is B.S.

Summer of 2004 was the possibly the worst summer in recent history. Signing Walter Samuel instead of Ricardo Carvalho. Failing to sign Vieira. Sending Eto'o to Barcelona and signing Owen instead.

If we had played our cards right our XI could have been:

----------------------Casillas

Salgado----Carvalho----Helguera----R. Carlos

--------Beckham----Vieira----Zidane

----------------------Raul

-------------Ronaldo------Eto'o

Jaime wrote:Summer of 2004 was the possibly the worst summer in recent history. Signing Walter Samuel instead of Ricardo Carvalho. Failing to sign Vieira. Sending Eto'o to Barcelona and signing Owen instead.

If we had played our cards right our XI could have been:

----------------------Casillas

Salgado----Carvalho----Helguera----R. Carlos

--------Figo----Vieira----Zidane

----------------------Raul

-------------Ronaldo------Eto'o

IMO the bigger mistake was not signing both Carvalho and Samuel. We signed Samuel so early that it really was a case of Samuel or both and Perez waited until after Euro which made Carvalho's price spike and put him out of reach. I think Samuel is decent but he needs a strong partner next to him; he can't be the one leading the line. Also, I don't necessarily think that failing to sign Vieira was a failure since he was overpriced but not having a plan B was stupid. The way Eto'o was handled was a tragedy.

King Pipita wrote:

Jaime wrote:Summer of 2004 was the possibly the worst summer in recent history. Signing Walter Samuel instead of Ricardo Carvalho. Failing to sign Vieira. Sending Eto'o to Barcelona and signing Owen instead.

If we had played our cards right our XI could have been:

----------------------Casillas

Salgado----Carvalho----Helguera----R. Carlos

--------Figo----Vieira----Zidane

----------------------Raul

-------------Ronaldo------Eto'o

IMO the bigger mistake was not signing both Carvalho and Samuel. We signed Samuel so early that it really was a case of Samuel or both and Perez waited until after Euro which made Carvalho's price spike and put him out of reach. I think Samuel is decent but he needs a strong partner next to him; he can't be the one leading the line. Also, I don't necessarily think that failing to sign Vieira was a failure since he was overpriced but not having a plan B was stupid. The way Eto'o was handled was a tragedy.

Oh right....I forgot Figo left the next summer. Samuel was too slow to make it in la Liga. I don't think it mattered who he played with. You're right about Vieira as well...I was trying to imply that point - that we never got anyone elsee after Makelele left.

kas wrote:Do you blame him? What would Etoo and Ronaldinho do stuck behind those two, who were clearly better at the time?

I think letting Etoo go is a decision that you look back upon with a bit too much benefit of hindsight. As for Ronaldinho, I'm not really convinced you were seriously in for him...yes he may have been offered, but in the way that any 19 year old who scores a goal in Brazil is offered to all big clubs in Europe.

The year we let Etoó go, we also let Morientes go on loan to Monaco and then brought Owen, which made no sense. We let two superior strikers than Owen go to other teams while we bought the latter. And this was a few months after Etoó made the Madrid defense his bitch with scoring a hat-trick in the Bernabeu with Mallorca At the very least we could have made sure Barcelona didn't buy him, since we owned 50% of his contract. In the end, Etoó ended up being the missing piece of the puzzle for Barcelona to win the title.

Regarding Dinho, he clearly stated he wanted to join us over ManU when negotiations were taking place. The problem was that Florentino made an offer to PSG for one year after, and Dinho wasn't willing to wait since he was in a lot of trouble with his coach and teammates. We would have surely gotten him if we went for him, that is very clear. In the end ManU screwing up negotiations meant that he ended up with Barcelona, which was his last choice. Anyone who followed the transfer closely (I certainly did, since I was praying we would get Dinho instead of Beckham) will remember this.

I think Morientes knocked us out the year before Eto'o went to Barca. I think the year we signed Owen was the year that Moro rotted on the bench for 6 months and then was sold to Liverpool.

The fans outside Kaka's home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgF6b5Z9VCI

King Pipita wrote:

Jaime wrote:Summer of 2004 was the possibly the worst summer in recent history. Signing Walter Samuel instead of Ricardo Carvalho. Failing to sign Vieira. Sending Eto'o to Barcelona and signing Owen instead.

If we had played our cards right our XI could have been:

----------------------Casillas

Salgado----Carvalho----Helguera----R. Carlos

--------Figo----Vieira----Zidane

----------------------Raul

-------------Ronaldo------Eto'o

IMO the bigger mistake was not signing both Carvalho and Samuel. We signed Samuel so early that it really was a case of Samuel or both and Perez waited until after Euro which made Carvalho's price spike and put him out of reach. I think Samuel is decent but he needs a strong partner next to him; he can't be the one leading the line. Also, I don't necessarily think that failing to sign Vieira was a failure since he was overpriced but not having a plan B was stupid. The way Eto'o was handled was a tragedy.

I beg to differ, Samuel is the leader in the defence. One of the best defenders of our times, he was as good as Nesta before he joined Madrid, and he has been as good as Nesta since he left Madrid.

So why did he never settle at Madrid? There could be many reasons. IMO it was coz he didn't have decent partners or a good DM ahead of him. He git totally exposed, and he is not the most pacey of defenders to keep covering up. He is someone who can marshall a good defence, and take it to another level.

No defender can shine if you give them a poor partner and no decent midfield DM. Definately not someone who is new to your league.

bluenine wrote:

King Pipita wrote:

Jaime wrote:Summer of 2004 was the possibly the worst summer in recent history. Signing Walter Samuel instead of Ricardo Carvalho. Failing to sign Vieira. Sending Eto'o to Barcelona and signing Owen instead.

If we had played our cards right our XI could have been:

----------------------Casillas

Salgado----Carvalho----Helguera----R. Carlos

--------Figo----Vieira----Zidane

----------------------Raul

-------------Ronaldo------Eto'o

IMO the bigger mistake was not signing both Carvalho and Samuel. We signed Samuel so early that it really was a case of Samuel or both and Perez waited until after Euro which made Carvalho's price spike and put him out of reach. I think Samuel is decent but he needs a strong partner next to him; he can't be the one leading the line. Also, I don't necessarily think that failing to sign Vieira was a failure since he was overpriced but not having a plan B was stupid. The way Eto'o was handled was a tragedy.

I beg to differ, Samuel is the leader in the defence. One of the best defenders of our times, he was as good as Nesta before he joined Madrid, and he has been as good as Nesta since he left Madrid.

So why did he never settle at Madrid? There could be many reasons. IMO it was coz he didn't have decent partners or a good DM ahead of him. He git totally exposed, and he is not the most pacey of defenders to keep covering up. He is someone who can marshall a good defence, and take it to another level.

No defender can shine if you give them a poor partner and no decent midfield DM. Definately not someone who is new to your league.

That's fair and to honest I haven't seen much of him after he left. But from what I saw of him at RM, my diagnosis was that he needed to have an equal or stronger partner next to him. He and Helguera never seemed in sync and he often got drawn far out of position where I hoped that he would mesh better. But to be certain, he wasn't made to lead our defensive line.

He does better with a pacey partner next to him, like he has now with Cordoba.

He's also much more comfortable playing in a low line (because of his lack of pace).

In hindsight, it's easy to say he was a bad signing. At the time though, it seemed like a very good signing considering the season he had jsut had with Roma.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:He does better with a pacey partner next to him, like he has now with Cordoba.

He's also much more comfortable playing in a low line (because of his lack of pace).

In hindsight, it's easy to say he was a bad signing. At the time though, it seemed like a very good signing considering the season he had jsut had with Roma.

Most definently, because I hyping him up like you couldn't believe since I know of him from Roma. He was a rock and it took almost no time to adapt to Europe for Roma and he led the defence like he had done it for years. However defending in Italy and defending in Spain is two different things as it turned out allthough I will say that towards the end he improved and we were mourning when he got suspended for El Classico.
Had he gone to Valencia under Benitez he could have created the best defence of a life time with Aylar but he chose the wrong club for his abilities.

Who was Samuel's defensive partner at Roma again?

But when Samuel was at Roma they played, at times, with six defenders.

I remember we played them in CL and in their starting lineup was Cafu, Panucci, Dellas, Samuel, Cufre, Candela....plus two defensive midfielders - Emerson & Tommasi.

I agree he didn't have a lot of cover at Madrid but he came from a place where he had way more cover than in a normal team hence it was hard for him to adjust.

Kaká: Either I Stay At Milan Or I Join Real Madrid
The Kaká transfer saga is bound to hit hyperdrive again after the Brazilian maestro opened the door for a move to Los Blancos.

Most of the soundbites in the aftermath of Kaká’s collapsed transfer to Manchester City have centred mainly around the reaction of his club-mates, his fans and football purists, all gushing about how relieved they are that the playmaker extraordinaire chose to stay a Milanista.

But AS, the Spanish sports-journal which began the rumours a few days ago that Kaká turned down the move to City because he wanted to join Real Madrid, has picked up an interesting quote from the player himself.

“Either I stay at Milan or I join Real Madrid,” was what the 26-year-old reportedly told his father and representative, Bosco Leite.

The remark does little to suggest that the former FIFA World Player is craving for a move to the Spanish capital, but it does indicate that both he and Los Merengues now have the upperhand over Milan.

In previous years, the Rossoneri were always in control of the situation, turning down Madrid’s advances time and again while the attacking midfielder stood quietly by. But now, the tables have been turned as Kaká realises that his club would not hesitate to cash in on him should the right bid come along, while the blancos recognise that a rare window of opportunity has just opened up for them.

But there’s more to it. AS is now speculating that there could be a second contender to challenge Madrid for Kaká's signature: Barcelona.

The Blaugrana have not really declared any interest to bring the playmaker to the Camp Nou, but with the club about to have their elections soon, as do Madrid, potential candidates on both sides could use ‘Ricky’ as a pre-election promise to win the presidency.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1705/real-madrid/2009/01/21/1070660/kaka-either-i-stay-at-milan-or-i-join-real-madrid


Fantasy quotes

What? Our elections aren't till 2010.

Goal.com = shit.

Cesc Soler (c) wrote:Who was Samuel's defensive partner at Roma again?

various players. Whenhe first joined, they played 3 at the back with Zebina and Aldair as the spare man (though somtimes Zago played). Then Capello switched to a traditional 4 man defense and his partner was Zebina (not a good defender, but he's fairly quick), and then Chivu.

Jaime wrote:But when Samuel was at Roma they played, at times, with six defenders.

I remember we played them in CL and in their starting lineup was Cafu, Panucci, Dellas, Samuel, Cufre, Candela....plus two defensive midfielders - Emerson & Tommasi.

I agree he didn't have a lot of cover at Madrid but he came from a place where he had way more cover than in a normal team hence it was hard for him to adjust.

Yep and now he's been playing well where the Inter midfield has players like Zanetti, Muntari and Cambiasso all protecting him.

Its interesting that both Emerson and Beckham believe that Kaka is Madrid bound.... hmmm.... I guess Milan's initial acceptance of the City offer might have broken something in the relationship...

That was what I was saying.

By the way did you see Petrucci goals, I pm you.

^^^

“The interest is not official, but he is considering a future in Madrid. For the last two years I have always said that the Merengues wanted Kaka and any real player wants to play there.

“Kaka wouldn't be able to take that chance lightly. It wouldn't be bad if he went to Real, but it's down to him.

“You cannot say no when a club like Real Madrid come knocking. If they arrive with £90m or so it would be hard to stay here. La Liga is easier for Brazilians.

“It has been tough for Kaka because everyone has been talking about a possible exit, but he is here for the moment and he is playing for a great club.”

Super Madrid wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:He does better with a pacey partner next to him, like he has now with Cordoba.

He's also much more comfortable playing in a low line (because of his lack of pace).

In hindsight, it's easy to say he was a bad signing. At the time though, it seemed like a very good signing considering the season he had jsut had with Roma.

Most definently, because I hyping him up like you couldn't believe since I know of him from Roma. He was a rock and it took almost no time to adapt to Europe for Roma and he led the defence like he had done it for years. However defending in Italy and defending in Spain is two different things as it turned out allthough I will say that towards the end he improved and we were mourning when he got suspended for El Classico.
Had he gone to Valencia under Benitez he could have created the best defence of a life time with Aylar but he chose the wrong club for his abilities.

Ayala.

Don't get too excited...Emerson came out and denied these reports. AS has fabricated entire convos before, so this is no surprise.


EMERSON: 'Never said Kaká will go to Real'
1/21/2009
MILAN - Midfielder Emerson denied to Studio Sport's microphones what was written earlier today on Spanish daily AS: "I've never talked to Real Madrid about Kaká, my words were misunderstood. I would never interfere with Ricky's business, we are friends, we often talk, but we never discussed this."

www.acmilan.com

I can't wait for next summer transfer saga

Anything that comes out of AS should immediately be regarded as bullshit.

Their journalism is the most despicable on the entire planet!

bluenine wrote:Its interesting that both Emerson and Beckham believe that Kaka is Madrid bound.... hmmm.... I guess Milan's initial acceptance of the City offer might have broken something in the relationship...

And finally,

Reports in the press have suggested that David has indicated to a friend that current AC Milan team-mate Kaka wants to join Real Madrid in the summer.
Davidbeckham.com would like to point out that any reports stating such are a fabrication and totally unfounded.

www.davidbeckham.com

Pras Gallagher wrote:I can't wait for next summer transfer saga

The good news is, you don't have to wait. It's starting now!

Tweedle wrote:Anything that comes out of AS should immediately be regarded as bullshit.

They do have very good imaginations over at AS...but it must be said, they were on the trail of both Zidane and Beckham before they signed so once in a while they do get it right.