Showing posts with label Comments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comments. Show all posts

Tuesday, 24 July 2007

Raul: Reborn Real to reinforce.

Real Madrid captain Raul believes the Spanish champions will continue to strengthen over the summer as they look to win La Liga in style next season.

Real claimed the Primera Liga title on the last day of last season, but even a dramatic victory over bitter rivals Barcelona was not enough to save coach Fabio Capello as he was accused of deploying negative tactics and an uninspiring side.

Bernd Schuster has since been installed at the Bernabeu and Real have reinforced their squad with the captures of Pepe, Christoph Metzelder, Jerzy Dudek and Javier Saviola.

With David Beckham's departure signalling the death throes of the Galactico era, Raul now expects the club to bring in further fresh blood as they look to build a team capable of thrilling fans in a manner befitting of their predecessors.

"The club say that the team is not full, that other players can come, as they are looking to build a more competitive team," Raul told Marca.

"In attack, the four strikers can go all season (Raul, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gonzalo Higuain and Saviola). There are a lot of people in defence and in the midfield of the pitch, a player can be missing.

"The most important is winning and if we can do it with nice football, then it is far better.

"At the end of the day, when you have won titles, you must have done something good for it.

"Today, it is very difficult to play spectacular football. I think that thanks to unity, sacrifice and the talent that we have, we can win titles."

Sergio Ramos Ready To Move To The Right.

Sergio Ramos looks set to become Real Madrid's full-time right-back following the arrival of Pepe and Christoph Metzelder to play in the centre of defence.

The Spain international has returned to the position where he made his name at Sevilla and admits that he will happy playing anywhere across the back-line.

"They haven’t told me anything specific yet, but I am ready to play wherever Schuster tells me to.

"It seems like I may be a right back because of how I’ve been positioned during training. I’ve been lucky enough to play both there and as centre back on this team.

"The only thing I know for sure is that I will do my best at all times because I want to play."

As reports continue to grow that Madrid are preparing to return to the transfer market to bolster their squad, Ramos admits that he has been impressed with the new arrivals so far.

"That’s not up to us to decide," he continued. "Two excellent centre backs have joined the team this summer and we may get even more reinforcements."

While los Merengues continue their search for a star signing, Barça have already hit the headlines with their summer recruitments, but that does not worry Ramos.

"Every team does what it can to strengthen itself," he stated. "We are happy with our new players and we will welcome more if they are to arrive.

"We believe we achieved our main goal last year and we will now have to start from zero again."

New Madrid boss, Bernd Schuster, has changed the dynamic of training at the club, but has not allowed his players to escape with an easy pre-season.

"It is normal to undergo such hardships in the pre-season, we have both physical and tactical sessions," Ramos said.

"Every coach is different and players like to combine both things during training. We are very happy with Schuster."

Guti happy with Real's new recruits.

Real Madrid playmaker Guti believes the Spanish champions do not need to make any more additions to their squad this summer.Although a host of players have left the Bernabeu this summer, Madrid have also been busy drafting fresh blood in, with Pepe, Javier Saviola, Jerzy Dudek and Christoph Metzelder all new arrivals.

Roberto Soldado and Julio Baptista have also returned from their loan spells, but despite those reinforcements Real are still being linked with further signings, such as Arjen Robben, Jose Antonio Reyes, Kaka and Roysten Drenthe.

Guti, one of Real's three club captains last season, insists he would still welcome any new players into the fold, but feels that Real now have enough strength in depth without needing to make any extra signings.

"The team has a good squad and there are some players who aren't here with us (at Real's training camp in Austria) that have a lot to give, such as Julio Baptista," he said.

"There are many players in the squad and we will all enjoy several minutes of playing time this season. Nevertheless, I will welcome any new signings, even if they are for my position, but I personally feel we have enough players as it is.

"We are a strong team with players capable of playing for many minutes during one game.

"The important thing is that the club is signing players we need as opposed to signing stars. This is what we need in order to be strong challengers for every title," added the 30-year-old, who insists he is not concerned about Real being linked with new signings who play a similar role to him.

"If they come it would mean the team has more chances of using a rotation system. I have no problems with this because I believe I can bring a lot to the team and I will make things difficult for any newcomer," he said.

Wednesday, 18 July 2007

Reyes: Only Real Madrid for me.

Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes admits he's eager to see his move to Real Madrid wrapped up as quickly as possible.

"That is what I want more in the world right now. I already have done everything that I could from my end," said Reyes.

"I made it clear to [Arsene] Wenger that I want to continue wearing the Madrid shirt.

"I'm very calm, that's the truth. I know what it is happening through my representatives. I do not have anything left other than to hope."