Summer transfer window is like Christmas for Real Madrid fans. Despite no real football on the pitch, it is probably one of the most exciting times of the year for most madridistas and over the last decade summers have rarely failed to disappoint. This summer has started already with Nuri Sahin, Hamit Altintop and Jose Callejon already signed, and several more linked. But how did the seven (if you include Sergio Canales) fare last season?
Sergio Canales
One of the biggest youth prospects in Spanish football, the 19 year old was signed by Real Madrid in January the previous year and was loaned back to Racing Santander. So he wasn’t exactly a summer purchase but had joined up with the squad in August when Jose Mourinho decided to have him back.
Big expectations on little shoulders, Canales thought he got his big break when Kaka got injured. However in came Mesut Ozil and Mourinho did never looked back at the Spaniard. Rare appearances off the bench was all Canales. Just one assist and no goal to show for from this season, the youngster did not even start too many Copa del Rey games. Still young and with 5 years left on his contract, a loan seems the most likely arrangement for the midfielder.
Angel di Maria
The Argentine winger held the much prestigious tag of being the most expensive purchase of Real Madrid this season, although he cost less than half of last season’s record holder Cristiano Ronaldo. Joined from Benfica while on international duty at the world cup, the Olympic winner wasted no time settling in.
Played mainly on the right flank, a position he probably isn’t used to considering he only uses his left foot, di Maria impressed with his dribbles (1.9 per game, only Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo got more for the team) and inch perfect crosses. Notched up 17 assists and 9 goals and cemented a regular place in the side keeping the likes of Kaka at bay. A bright future awaits for the 23 year old at the Bernabeau and his midfield partnership with Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo could be one that goes down in the club’s history.
Sami Khedira
One of Germany’s outstanding young players at this season’s world cup. This is a story of how a mistimed tackle in a FA Cup Final, which he wasn’t even a part of, changed his life forever. When Kevin Prince Boateng ended German captain Michael Ballack’s hopes of going to the world cup, Sami Khedira was chosen to replace him. The holding midfielder was a part of the team that won the under 21 European Championship the previous season, and joined Manuel Nauer and Mesut Ozil from that team at the world cup. An impressive showing then in South Africa earned him a move to the 9 time European champions.
Not just a transfer, but the young midfielder really impressed usually playing alongside Xabi Alonso in a deeper midfield role. Kept both the Diarras out for most of the season, the 24 year old has became a regular both for Germany & Real Madrid. Should send a twisted ‘thank you’ card to Prince-Boateng!
Pedro Leon
Trailed by the Spanish giants when he was a youngster at Lavente, Leon joined Real Madrid as his fifth club in as many seasons when he joined from Getafe. Following a breakthrough season where he managed 10 league goals, Leon was quite disappointing when called up to play with the big boys. Limited to substitute appearance, Leon made the CLM (career limiting move) when he disobeyed Jose Mourinho’s commands in a game in October. He rarely featured since! Just 14 appearances in all competitions, this 24 year old is almost certain to leave the club, especially since new signings Jose Callejon and Hamit Altintop already provide cover for Ronaldo and di Maria in that position.
Ricardo Carvalho
Rarely can Florentino Perez say that he has missed out on a transfer target, but after failing to bring either Maicon or Thiago Silva from the San Siro, Mourinho recommended his old friend Ricardo Carvalho, with whom he had worked with both at FC Porto and Chelsea. Despite his 32 years of age, Carvalho was an amazing addition to the squad, and outperformed Maicon throughout the season.
Formed a wonderful partnership in the center with countryman Pepe, the Portuguese center half looked age less and played a major role in the club’s best defensive season in a long time. Made 48 appearances this season and doesn’t look like slowing down. Probably the only signing of the season who isn’t for the long haul, but he is certainly got Garay and Raul Albiol worrying for their place in the side.
Mesut Ozil
The last of the summer signings and probably the best of the lot! The second German to join the club this summer, along with Sami Khedira. Came in at a bargain price of just 16 million euroes after a fantastic showing at the World Cup. Real beat off competition from Manchester United to sign the playmaker right before the start of the season as Kaka was injured and Rafael van der Vaart wasn’t really a part of Mourinho’s plans.
And what a blessing that proved to be. Ricardo Carvalho, David Villa & Borja Valero might want to argue with this, but Ozil has been the best signing in the Liga BBVA this season. 10 goals and a massive 25 assists this season, he created more goals than anybody else in Europe, one more than Lionel Messi. Just 23 years of age, and is already proving to be a stumbling block in Kaka’s way. Could be one of the most important players in the club’s history in a few years time.
Emmanuel Adebayor
The long dirty, ugly and long drawn war for power between Jose Mourinho & Jorge Valdano finished it’s first battle with the signing of Adebayor. Mourinho kept requesting for a new striker, with Gonzalo Higuain out for long and Karim Benzema not firing. However despite many tries his wish wasn’t granted but finally Adebayor was signed on a 6 month loan deal from Manchester City.
His 8 goals in all competitions in 22 appearances gives him a healthy average of a goal every 2.75 games. His overall performances were sometimes below par but included some wonderful displays like his brace in the home game against Tottenham and a hat ric on the final day of the season in an 8-1 thrashing of Almeria. The Togo striker has repeatedly said that he’s very happy at the Bernabeau but with his massive salary and the side chasing the likes of Sergio Aguero and Neymar, his adventure in the capital seems to have ended. Did a good job as a short term fix, and could have been the catalyst to Karim Benzema’s rise to form which allowed him to end the season with 26 goals.
Sergio Canales
One of the biggest youth prospects in Spanish football, the 19 year old was signed by Real Madrid in January the previous year and was loaned back to Racing Santander. So he wasn’t exactly a summer purchase but had joined up with the squad in August when Jose Mourinho decided to have him back.
Big expectations on little shoulders, Canales thought he got his big break when Kaka got injured. However in came Mesut Ozil and Mourinho did never looked back at the Spaniard. Rare appearances off the bench was all Canales. Just one assist and no goal to show for from this season, the youngster did not even start too many Copa del Rey games. Still young and with 5 years left on his contract, a loan seems the most likely arrangement for the midfielder.
Angel di Maria
The Argentine winger held the much prestigious tag of being the most expensive purchase of Real Madrid this season, although he cost less than half of last season’s record holder Cristiano Ronaldo. Joined from Benfica while on international duty at the world cup, the Olympic winner wasted no time settling in.
Played mainly on the right flank, a position he probably isn’t used to considering he only uses his left foot, di Maria impressed with his dribbles (1.9 per game, only Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo got more for the team) and inch perfect crosses. Notched up 17 assists and 9 goals and cemented a regular place in the side keeping the likes of Kaka at bay. A bright future awaits for the 23 year old at the Bernabeau and his midfield partnership with Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo could be one that goes down in the club’s history.
Sami Khedira
One of Germany’s outstanding young players at this season’s world cup. This is a story of how a mistimed tackle in a FA Cup Final, which he wasn’t even a part of, changed his life forever. When Kevin Prince Boateng ended German captain Michael Ballack’s hopes of going to the world cup, Sami Khedira was chosen to replace him. The holding midfielder was a part of the team that won the under 21 European Championship the previous season, and joined Manuel Nauer and Mesut Ozil from that team at the world cup. An impressive showing then in South Africa earned him a move to the 9 time European champions.
Not just a transfer, but the young midfielder really impressed usually playing alongside Xabi Alonso in a deeper midfield role. Kept both the Diarras out for most of the season, the 24 year old has became a regular both for Germany & Real Madrid. Should send a twisted ‘thank you’ card to Prince-Boateng!
Pedro Leon
Trailed by the Spanish giants when he was a youngster at Lavente, Leon joined Real Madrid as his fifth club in as many seasons when he joined from Getafe. Following a breakthrough season where he managed 10 league goals, Leon was quite disappointing when called up to play with the big boys. Limited to substitute appearance, Leon made the CLM (career limiting move) when he disobeyed Jose Mourinho’s commands in a game in October. He rarely featured since! Just 14 appearances in all competitions, this 24 year old is almost certain to leave the club, especially since new signings Jose Callejon and Hamit Altintop already provide cover for Ronaldo and di Maria in that position.
Ricardo Carvalho
Rarely can Florentino Perez say that he has missed out on a transfer target, but after failing to bring either Maicon or Thiago Silva from the San Siro, Mourinho recommended his old friend Ricardo Carvalho, with whom he had worked with both at FC Porto and Chelsea. Despite his 32 years of age, Carvalho was an amazing addition to the squad, and outperformed Maicon throughout the season.
Formed a wonderful partnership in the center with countryman Pepe, the Portuguese center half looked age less and played a major role in the club’s best defensive season in a long time. Made 48 appearances this season and doesn’t look like slowing down. Probably the only signing of the season who isn’t for the long haul, but he is certainly got Garay and Raul Albiol worrying for their place in the side.
Mesut Ozil
The last of the summer signings and probably the best of the lot! The second German to join the club this summer, along with Sami Khedira. Came in at a bargain price of just 16 million euroes after a fantastic showing at the World Cup. Real beat off competition from Manchester United to sign the playmaker right before the start of the season as Kaka was injured and Rafael van der Vaart wasn’t really a part of Mourinho’s plans.
And what a blessing that proved to be. Ricardo Carvalho, David Villa & Borja Valero might want to argue with this, but Ozil has been the best signing in the Liga BBVA this season. 10 goals and a massive 25 assists this season, he created more goals than anybody else in Europe, one more than Lionel Messi. Just 23 years of age, and is already proving to be a stumbling block in Kaka’s way. Could be one of the most important players in the club’s history in a few years time.
Emmanuel Adebayor
The long dirty, ugly and long drawn war for power between Jose Mourinho & Jorge Valdano finished it’s first battle with the signing of Adebayor. Mourinho kept requesting for a new striker, with Gonzalo Higuain out for long and Karim Benzema not firing. However despite many tries his wish wasn’t granted but finally Adebayor was signed on a 6 month loan deal from Manchester City.
His 8 goals in all competitions in 22 appearances gives him a healthy average of a goal every 2.75 games. His overall performances were sometimes below par but included some wonderful displays like his brace in the home game against Tottenham and a hat ric on the final day of the season in an 8-1 thrashing of Almeria. The Togo striker has repeatedly said that he’s very happy at the Bernabeau but with his massive salary and the side chasing the likes of Sergio Aguero and Neymar, his adventure in the capital seems to have ended. Did a good job as a short term fix, and could have been the catalyst to Karim Benzema’s rise to form which allowed him to end the season with 26 goals.
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