I was wary of this rumor when it first came out, but less than emphatic denials from United have me almost convinced this is a done deal. It makes sense for everyone involved...except Real. I suppose they could end up selling Figo to make room. Whatta ya'll think?
I keep thinking that this must be a joke. Unless Florentino Perez has changed his MO, Beckham would lose money on any deal with Madrid simply because he would not control his own image rights. This has little to do with Beckham as a player, but with his marketing potential.
I thought that madrid would be more interested in buying a real top class defender or defensive midfielder. They've already got Becks postion well covered.
I know I don't have much knowledge of football, but I think Beckham would be on the bench behind Figo.
Figo is much better with the ball at his feet. His footwork is far better than Beckham. This coming from a huge Beckham fan. Truth be told, it is hard to compare these two players. Beckham would not fit in at Real Madrid. Beckham is a crosser and a decent defensive-mid. His crossing abilities are far above most others. But, Madrid doesn't live in the air like Manchester United. Anyone who knows soccer knows that the Spanish league is a much faster paced game played on the ground. Ronaldo and Figo both score off the pass or dribble. Most of Manchester's goals come from crosses or something set up from a long ball. Beckham would start at Madrid purely because he is too good not to start. But the way it is now is best, Beckham to the team that lives in the air and Figo on the team that lives on the dribble and short pass.
Beckham would make absolutely no sense at Real Madrid for the reasons stated very well above by Jerlon. The only way we'd get good use out of him is having him bang crosses at Morientes, and that would involve benching Ronaldo, something that neither del Bosque nor Perez would do. (Although, truth be told, Ronaldo's been so indifferent this season that I'd much rather see Morientes starting. But that's bad for business, so Perez wouldn't allow it.)
Yes, Beckham and Figo can't play together unless Figo take a new position. But Real won't sell Figo, because of hes age, his value is no where near the value he was when playing for Barcelona Anyway, I don't think Beckham would go to real if it was his decision. Why? Beckham is the most paid player in EPL atm.
Re: Re: Beckham to Real Through endorsement deals or appearances or something? I could have sworn Manchester United were paying Roy Keane more.
Nope - Beckham is the highest paid sportsman in Britain, taking his United salary only. He is also the highest paid sportsman in overall terms (he's worth over £50m) on a regular basis. It used to be Lennox Lewis, but I believe Beckham has overtaken him. It is a good point though - a large chunk of his United earnings are derived from a deal over his image rights. And a large part of Madrid's interest in him is about wanting to own and exploit his image rights. To compensate him, they would have to pay him well over £100,000 a week basic and allow him some control over non-football related promotional activity. You know, this thread should be entitled "What's wrong with football" ...
Sure is. I've got it now, though. Would you prefer if I started ranting about us not wanting him because he's crap? And throwing in 'overrated' for the nth time?
He he he ... a favourite story here in the Northwest. He has a habit of going to uberposh restaurants, ordering something outrageously gorgeous and then asking for Ketchup.
Ah, ok. In all seriousness, though, I have to wonder if Perez is losing sight of the fact that he's running a team here. Assembling a bunch of stars and selling shirts is all well and good, but those big names are worthless if they don't get results. And bringing in a player that would be good for business but would also necessitate an overhaul of Real Madrid's style seems like focusing too much on the PR aspect of the club at the expense of what really matters.
Is Prenn just BS'ing, or are West Ham actually relegated? If so, it's sad to see them go, but I can't say I'm too heartbroken given the fact that the relegation battle still isn't done. (You'd never guess it, but I support Birmingham City.)
I'm don't buy into the idea that it would necessitate and overhaul of Real's style. The notion that all Beckham does is cross is wrong in any case, although pin-point accuracy over any distance is undoubtedly a strong point. The aim would surely be to mould Beckham's talents with what Real perceive they need. And I for one thing the combined technical and coaching talents of Valdano and del Bosque could transform Beckham. Remember - for all his other qualities, Alex Ferguson is a piss-poor coach. It is no coincidence that their worst season for years, last season, coincided with the absence of a world class coach. It also coincides with the period of time where Beckham had arguably his least effective period of play. With Figo heading over the hill (you should have read Guillaume Baggalue's op-ed on him in WSC the other week) and Macca on his way out, the right side of Real's midfield is worthy of scrutiny by anyone with an eye for long-term building. They will not get much for Figo when he does leave (I hear he is intent on heading back to Portugal?) so buying in a player who will pay back his own transfer fee well within the duration of his first contract is good business. The fact that he can also play a bit is of course a given feature of his attraction to Perez. Remember - McMoneyMan was going nowhere fast with Liverpool by the time he left, but his first two seasons in Madrid, interrupted as they were by injury and competition for places are universally acknowledged as being amongst the best in his career in terms of the football he played. Certainly, it was his best since the 1994/95 season although you could argue that he never hit the heights of his very early days for Liverpool. Beckham would only blossom alongside the talents at Real Madrid.
Where does Prenn say West Ham are relegated? Have not seen it. Don't think they are - there are still five games to go and they are only four points behind Bolton, if memory serves me correctly. I think you might find that Prenn's club affiliation may be clouding his judgment.
Big game of the weekend; Bolton V West Ham. It's bigger than the merseyside derby because there's so much riding on it. If Bolton win West Ham are as good as down If it's a draw West Ham have an outside chance of getting out for trouble If West Ham win they stay 3rd bottom but drag another 4 teams into the relegation dogfight
Bigger than the derby? Splutter *cough* .. why Sir, that is an outrage. Although true. It has to be said. Just this once, it's true. Ironic, really, given that this is arguably the most meaningful derby since that famous 4-4 in the Cup in 1991. We haven't played each other for anything other than local pride for yonks, mainly because the Toffees have been so abysmal for so long.