The Madrid press have identified Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diarra as possibly the latest player to join Fabio Capello at Real Madrid. The Mali international is the archetypal Capello player and his potential transfer confirms that the Galactico era is well and truly a thing of the past.
Diarra is a midfield ‘enforcer’. He is a tough tackling, ball winning player who adds defensive solidity to the midfield and is comfortable acting as a shield in front of the back four.
Capello’s other new acquisition to the midfield is Emerson, a player who he has signed twice in the past and who is indispensable to Capello’s preferred defensive midfield formation. Emerson was described by Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon as “a true asset. A player that makes a team, who sacrifices his personal lustre in favour of the team. One of those players everyone around him appreciates and values tremendously due to the continuous support, back-up and relief that he offers his team-mates.”
These types of midfield players are the key to Capello’s future plans for Real Madrid. They are indispensable to the tactical system that he first deployed at that club a decade ago, then at Roma and more recently at Juventus.
Wherever he has managed, Capello utilises two defensive midfield players in front of a solid central defence in order to minimise the opposition’s chances and shackle their creative players.
This approach is a far cry form the fantasy football of the Galactico era. Capello will take a results driven approach to the game, founded upon a solid defensive platform and a strong team ethic. Real Madrid will concede few goals under the Italian coach’s instruction.
It will not be pretty but it will be effective.
It is very clear that the decision to sign Cannavaro, Emerson and Diarra has been taken by the first team coach. These players fit the profile of his ideal player – “We won't bring in players who can't contribute, but only those who play their hearts out. We have to want to be the best team in the world, and the passion that this Club has always had. When I joined last time, I was lucky enough to have two or three team leaders who helped me a lot in the dressing room. We haven't won anything in three years, but I'm sure things will go our way” states Capello.
These players have been signed by the manager and driven by‘footballing’ logic. This is to be applauded and this is how it should be if the aim is to succeed on the pitch rather than in the marketing stakes.
Did Ramon Calderon think that the people who voted for him were incapable of grasping these basic principles?
The question has to be asked.
In his electoral Campaign, Calderon, promised the voters Kaka, Robben and Fabregas. He claimed that deals had been agreed for these players and swore that they would sign for the club.
He therefore promised hope, excitement and fantasy football on the back of some of the brightest young talent in world football. He has so far delivered pragmatism, caution and an approach to the game that prioritises results.
He promised youth and he has delivered experience. (All of his signings so far are over thirty).
This is not to criticise those signings. Every single one of them is an excellent addition to the Real Madrid squad, signed for the right reasons and they will address many of the failings of recent Madrid sides. More importantly they have been signed by the manager.
The Manager, Capello, had agreed to join Calderon prior to the election. Calderon promised that, under him, the manager would be solely responsible for picking the team. These signings would indicate that the President has been true to his word on that count.
However, it is hard to believe that the President and his manager did not discuss transfer targets. These signings are Capello signings and two of them joined him from Juventus.
Real Madrid fans must wonder why they were promised one thing by Calderon when he knew that he would be delivering another. They must wonder why he felt that it was necessary to promise them the fantasy instead of the reality.
It all suggests a cynical manipulation of the electorate by a President who felt that his ‘real’ plans for the club would not appeal to the fans. These are fans that have witnessed the collapse of the Galactico era and know as well as anybody what is needed to bring success back to Real Madrid.
It represents a disdain for the electorate when those in power deem them incapable of being able to judge what is necessary for their own good. Better to tell them what you think they want to hear than what you actually think. Sound familiar?
The fans of Real Madrid will forgive the Machiavellian Calderon if the team gets off to a successful start. If it doesn’t, he will undoubtedly ask for patience and appeal to the fans intelligence. Something he should have done when he asked them to vote for him in the first place.
