Post by Vicky on Mar 31, 2005 6:57:46 GMT
It's time for Raul to leave Real
It was just three years ago that Raul was standing there at Hampden Park in Glasgow with the Champions League trophy lifted above his head.
The Spanish legend scored the game's first goal that day during a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the competition's final, helping Real Madrid to its third European conquest in five years. Raul was expeditiously constructing a legacy that many thought would allow him to spend his entire club career in Madrid.
Slowly, however, the situation has dissipated into the disaster that Florentino Perez has created. The Mergengues are not going to win any trophy this season. The cupboard certainly is not bare, despite successive seasons without a trophy, but some things must change in order for the trend to reverse.
Let it be known that Perez's indiscretions have driven the club down this dark, winding road. And it has left no choice but for the unthinkable to happen. Raul must move on. Real Madrid must sever ties with its most popular, successful and decorated player of the last decade, a home-grown talent who has known no other home during his accomplished career. Loyalty would suggest several years of leeway for Raul. Desperate times, however, call for desperate measures. And the crafty forward is well aware that it could be in the club's best interest for him to leave.
"After 11 years here, I want what's best for Real Madrid," Raul explained several weeks back. "If, at some time, I have to sacrifice myself in order for the team to progress, then I will do it."
Raul now has to live up to his words. There are too many offensive players on Real's roster. There is little balance in the squad. Some excess fat needs to be trimmed and Raul's exit would be the most sensible solution. Of course his departure would just get the ball rolling, as the 'galacticos' need to reshape their entire squad (especially defensively) in order to quickly rebound from the recent failures.
Rumors have pegged Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Michael Owen as the most likely candidates to be exiled from the most successful club in the history of the beautiful game. But it is Raul's departure that would be most beneficial to the team.
The 27-year-old striker has seen his production dip dramatically the past few seasons. No longer is Raul striking for 20-plus league goals in a single campaign. Those days appear long gone. They ended when Ronaldo joined the club in 2002, transitioning Raul to a supportive role while playing second fiddle to the Brazilian sniper. Raul's last monster La Liga campaign came back in 2000/01, when he scored 25 league goals in 36 games. This season he has just six in 24 contests. Substitute Michael Owen has nine despite coming off the bench for almost all of his 27 appearances.
Perez's mismanagement and avarice have left no choice but to make this unpopular move. The acquisition of Owen over the summer has set the stage for Raul's departure. Owen's presence at the Santiago Bernabeu was not necessary, especially with Raul, Ronaldo and Fernando Morientes serving as a more than sufficient attacking trio.
But Perez's greed lured him toward Owen's big name. The English sniper has done fairly well to prove he is capable of garnering most of the minutes up front with Ronaldo. But there is little room for his production and large salary on the bench.
Raul's departure would also send a message. A strong one at that. Surely every 'galactico' would understand that if Raul is expendable, everyone is. You must perform to keep your job. No longer will the coach become the scapegoat for poor performances. No longer will excuses suffice.
Major changes are in order at the Bernabeu. The defense needs reinforcements. Some big names will be leaving. And, unfortunately Raul, should be one of the stars on the way out.
source: sportsnetwork
interesting article
It was just three years ago that Raul was standing there at Hampden Park in Glasgow with the Champions League trophy lifted above his head.
The Spanish legend scored the game's first goal that day during a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the competition's final, helping Real Madrid to its third European conquest in five years. Raul was expeditiously constructing a legacy that many thought would allow him to spend his entire club career in Madrid.
Slowly, however, the situation has dissipated into the disaster that Florentino Perez has created. The Mergengues are not going to win any trophy this season. The cupboard certainly is not bare, despite successive seasons without a trophy, but some things must change in order for the trend to reverse.
Let it be known that Perez's indiscretions have driven the club down this dark, winding road. And it has left no choice but for the unthinkable to happen. Raul must move on. Real Madrid must sever ties with its most popular, successful and decorated player of the last decade, a home-grown talent who has known no other home during his accomplished career. Loyalty would suggest several years of leeway for Raul. Desperate times, however, call for desperate measures. And the crafty forward is well aware that it could be in the club's best interest for him to leave.
"After 11 years here, I want what's best for Real Madrid," Raul explained several weeks back. "If, at some time, I have to sacrifice myself in order for the team to progress, then I will do it."
Raul now has to live up to his words. There are too many offensive players on Real's roster. There is little balance in the squad. Some excess fat needs to be trimmed and Raul's exit would be the most sensible solution. Of course his departure would just get the ball rolling, as the 'galacticos' need to reshape their entire squad (especially defensively) in order to quickly rebound from the recent failures.
Rumors have pegged Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Michael Owen as the most likely candidates to be exiled from the most successful club in the history of the beautiful game. But it is Raul's departure that would be most beneficial to the team.
The 27-year-old striker has seen his production dip dramatically the past few seasons. No longer is Raul striking for 20-plus league goals in a single campaign. Those days appear long gone. They ended when Ronaldo joined the club in 2002, transitioning Raul to a supportive role while playing second fiddle to the Brazilian sniper. Raul's last monster La Liga campaign came back in 2000/01, when he scored 25 league goals in 36 games. This season he has just six in 24 contests. Substitute Michael Owen has nine despite coming off the bench for almost all of his 27 appearances.
Perez's mismanagement and avarice have left no choice but to make this unpopular move. The acquisition of Owen over the summer has set the stage for Raul's departure. Owen's presence at the Santiago Bernabeu was not necessary, especially with Raul, Ronaldo and Fernando Morientes serving as a more than sufficient attacking trio.
But Perez's greed lured him toward Owen's big name. The English sniper has done fairly well to prove he is capable of garnering most of the minutes up front with Ronaldo. But there is little room for his production and large salary on the bench.
Raul's departure would also send a message. A strong one at that. Surely every 'galactico' would understand that if Raul is expendable, everyone is. You must perform to keep your job. No longer will the coach become the scapegoat for poor performances. No longer will excuses suffice.
Major changes are in order at the Bernabeu. The defense needs reinforcements. Some big names will be leaving. And, unfortunately Raul, should be one of the stars on the way out.
source: sportsnetwork
interesting article
