Juande loves Didier Zokora
Ramos eager to Spursify Real Madrid, but finds much of his work already done
Of all the Spurs players new Real Madrid manager Juande Ramos dreams about at night, the one he’d most like the chance to bewilder in Spain, according to the Spanish press at least, is Didier Zokora.
Madrid could certainly do with a holding midfielder to “sit” in front of their defence, as the sitting abilities of Mahamadou Diarra, the man currently tasked with that job, don’t currently extend beyond lolling in front of the telly, nursing his very game knee.
The idea that Ramos might “raid” Spurs for talent is like trying to cheer yourself up with videos of your unhappiest holiday – does he really want to be reminded of the nightmare by Zokora’s a) presence, b) fear of the half way line and c) crude passing technique?
Even without Didier Z, however, Ramos’ time at Spurs will have prepared him nicely for the chaos he’s going to find at Real M. A recent board meeting showed Madrid to be more than 500 million Euros in the red, there’s a president – Ramon Calderon – the fans can’t stand, and there’s a sporting director – Predrag Mijatovic – who wields all the power but in whom the president has no confidence.
So if Ramos wants Zokora, it’s Mijatovic he has to talk to, virtually guaranteeing he’ll get someone else. As another vexed Spaniard, Rafa Benitez, once observed of Liverpool’s kooky transfer policy, “I asked for a sofa and they got me a lampshade.” Expect to see the name “Lampshade” on the Madrid teamsheet any day now. Zokora, you’re going nowhere.
5 responses so far
Dave // December 10, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Pretty sure you’ll find Rafa made those comments while managing Valencia, not during his time at Liverpool.
Raph88 // December 10, 2008 at 7:09 pm
not juande’s biggest fan but the british press always likes to sensationalise everything. remember shecond-choish shteve mclaren. same story. took a small team to high places in the league and the uefa cup, then got a big break and failed miserably. not doing so badly now though is he? as much as it is about a coach’s ability it’s also about the environment and policy at the club or nation they are employed at.
Upminster Iron // December 10, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Not the same though is it – McClaren failed at international management (never in club) and took a step down and showed he’s a very good club manager whereas Ramos failed at a smaller club and has now stepped up to arguably the biggest job in the world.
Raph88 // December 10, 2008 at 8:54 pm
maybe it’s not but the point is coaches have different personalities and so can only thrive at certain clubs or nations with certain mentalities and cultures. i wouldn’t be surprised if juande does a good job and wins a trophy. maybe the spanish like baby food and remember slag off mijatovic all you like, he’s miles better than comolli.
http://www.studs-up.com/2008/10/slight-breakdown-of-communication/?page=2
Nicko // December 11, 2008 at 7:26 am
Real Madrid is a joke at the moment. They are missing a few first team players but the problem was (more than anything) that the defence this season has been particualy bad.
Howeverr, I wouldn’t smirk at Real Madrid too long, they may have large debts, but they also have alot of assets, and, for my money, they are still the biggest football club in the world.
My concern for them is Ramos. I doubt he will be allowed to buy spurs players, as they simply arn’t big enough names to please los merenges (not blancos). This means that Ramos will have to use his tactical nouse to win them games….. oh crap.
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