With the transfer window now officially closed, let’s have a look at what is going to happen with Real’s group of Dutchmen who were linked with moves.
They include Arjen Robben, Rafael Van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Klaas Jan-Huntelaar.
Arjen Robben, or, as I like to call him, Benjamin Button (for his amazing aging), has now moved to Bayern Munich. A team like Bayern, which, now under Louis Van Gaal, will be requiring pace down both flanks. They can now utilise Ribery and Robben, at least until January.
On debut, Robben scored two goals (both set up by Ribery) after coming off the bench in Bayern’s 3-0 win over Wolfsburg, the defending champions. Robben played well and seems to be fitting in and settling well. There was a lot of good build-up from Ribery, Robben, Schweinsteiger and I can’t help but lick my lips over seeing how this combination will go.
Rafael Van der Vaart didn’t get his move to Manchester United, or Hamburg, or even Everton for that matter. His inability to transfer is a worry, as he has already been told by Manuel Pelligrini that he will not be in his plans. Yet on the deadline day, apparently, Pelligrini asked for him to stay. Van der Vaart’s role in this superstar line-up will be important to his role for Holland’s 2010 World Cup squad.
Holland coach Bert van Marwijk says Rafael van der Vaart has risked his World Cup place by staying with Real Madrid.
Van Marwijk insists on his players playing regularly for their clubs and on Van der Vaart’s decision to stay in Madrid said, “Though Rafael has had signs he will play, nothing can be guaranteed after what went on in preseason. He’s made his choice, but will he play in his favoured position? He is just one more player there.”
Wesley Sneijder moved to Inter Milan and will comfortably fit into the Inter Milan set up. Prepare to see Mourinho’s 4-3-3 in action with Sneijder, Vieira and Cambiasso, not to mention Muntari and Thiago Motta able to do just as well.
Sneijder scored in Holland’s 3-0 drubbing of Japan and if he can replicate that form at Inter, maybe Real will have to pay the price in the Champions League.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar moved to AC Milan and, for some reason, I cannot see the hitman replicating his Dutch form elsewhere. The Serie A is a totally different and whilst AC’s only quality in attack is Alexandre Pato, the ageing Inzaghi and Ronaldinho, I am looking forward to seeing how the Dutchman will go. This season will be make or break for him, for it’ll be him against Robin Van Persie, for the number one striker choice up forward.
amband
Roar Rookie
Huntelaar should be going to Arsenal to assist RVP. It's makes sense. Too much sense for Wenger
TheSpecialOne
Roar Rookie
Absolutely ;)
cab711
Guest
Giggidy giggidy!
TheSpecialOne
Roar Rookie
I'm enjoying the maturity of Ancelotti, that money cannot buy you a team. I hope Man City get relegated, that'd be amazing. But Zhirkov seemed impressive from the clips I've seen from his Russian days, Sturridge is one for the future and Turnbull, well, I seriously doubt he'll be getting many games. This transfer ban saga, also that's really annoying me. I've read some stuff (probably rubbish) about how it's destroyed Abromovich's agreements to bring in Aguero for 40m in January and same for Ribery.
sam.gilbert
Roar Rookie
was stankovic not captain for a time? funny for him not to get a spot, although i wouldnt drop cambiasso or sneijder for many players. maybe gerrard. and zanetti is never played as a fullback anymore.. maicon has that spot cemented, he's considered one of the best fullbacks around.. and yes. i think it was for the best that you didn't pick up pirlo. however, i think chelsea do need a deep-lying ball-playing midfielder, lampard could but plays too high up the pitch now.. Deco maybe to fill this role? you'd hope so as there will be no more signings.. i still think chelsea will seal the title this year, which annoys me.
TheSpecialOne
Roar Rookie
Yes you're right, Vieira is lacking starting line-up play, but with Stankovic and Zanetti, Zanetti is seen more-or-less as an attacking wing back, rather then a midfielder. Stankovic played in the 4-0 romp against AC as a replacement for the injured Cambiasso, whether he will still be starting once Cambiasso is back is unsure. I am a big fan of Huntelaar, I'd like to see him be at the receiving end of some wonderful passes. But oh lord, with a midfield as old as AC's, who knows? Ambrosini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, all are in their 30's. As a Chelsea fan I'm pretty chuffed that we didn't spend 20m on Pirlo who would just increase the age on our team and ruin, what I believe is currently a very very nice Ancelotti diamond formation, with Lampard, Deco, Ballack all playing in a multitude of positions. As for Ribery, I'm not too aware of the details of the argument, but I thought they didn't agree just in principle and as a relationship, rather then a decision actually being made to change his thoughts. Feel free to whip out an article, I'd be interested! Oh and Van der Vaart's wife, my lord ! She deserves a 15m transfer fee herself.
sam.gilbert
Roar Rookie
can't blame him for that art.. i was under the impression that franck ribery was being played through the middle, not as a winger? admittedly i dont watch a lot of german football but from wha i've been reading ribery is unhappy with Van Gaal because of this. by bringing in arjen robben to fill the let wing role that ribery wants, i think it will put the icing on the cake for ribery to move elsewhere. im almost positive. he clearly wants to go and as we've seen with cristiano ronaldo and joleon lescott, if a player really wants to leave there's not much stopping him. anyone feel free to argue as im far from the expert. also, just a little thing, patrick vieira hardly ever plays in the starting line-up anymore. wont it be javier zanetti next to cambiasso and sneijder, or even stankovic? and i thought that mourinho was using a diamond formation lately.. again, feel free to argue. as for huntelaar, i think he will fit wonderfully into the milan set up. ronaldinho hasn't much pace but can pick a pass like a master, and huntelaar's awareness and ability to put it in the back of the net will work well i should think. huntelaar's lack of pace will be compensated by pato's electric feet, and also the game in italy is much more tactical, with players spending more time on the ball thant\, say, english football. all this points to him fitting in well at Milan i should think. get some posts happening people, i wanna know what everyone else thinks.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Pelligrini asked Van der Vaart to stay Real Madrid because he wanted the presence of his gorgeous wife for another few months at the Bernabeu. One can never get tired looking at her :)