LA LIGA & REAL MADRID

[fingolfin]

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..........i do hope that every player will stay fit for the rest of the season, no injuries PLEASE.

[raul julia]

MADRID, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Jonathan Woodgate became the second England player to sign for Real Madrid in the space of a week when he was unveiled by the club at their Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Saturday.

The England defender signed a four-year deal with an option for an extra season with Real, who are reported to have paid Newcastle United a 20-million-euro ($24.64 million) transfer fee.

"This is my dream to come to Real Madrid," said the 24-year-old after being handed the number 18 shirt by honorary president Alfredo di Stefano.

Woodgate, who will not make his Real debut for at least a month because of a thigh injury, will team up with England captain David Beckham and striker Michael Owen at the nine-times European champions.

"I've loved this club since I was young," said Woodgate.

"I used to follow this club and I'm joining a very special team. It's my ambition to win a lot of trophies here and hopefully I'll be a success at Real Madrid."

He becomes the 11th Englishman to sign for Real, but only the fifth to join the club in the last 90 years.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said the club had signed Woodgate because they believed he had the potential to be a world-class central defender.

"We analysed all the options available to us and without a doubt the choice of Jonathan is the correct one," he said. "He's a magnificent player.

"For many he is the centre-back with the greatest potential in Europe. His future is now at Real Madrid and here he is going to become one of the best central defenders in the world."

Perez also stressed he expected Woodgate, who made the headlines three years ago when he was convicted of affray following an attack on an Asian student in Leeds city centre, to be exemplary in his behaviour.

"Despite the fact that he is only 24, he is mature and serious on the pitch," said Perez. "He knows that he is now at a club where he faces a constant challenge and must provide an example to everyone on and off the pitch.

"He is a great player who will become part of the history of a great club. You have all our good wishes and all our confidence and we expect you to respond with complete dedication to your work."

[fingolfin]

damn!!!! good move!!!! i'm liking MR. Camacho by the minute. He is strengthening the club minute by minute. He is well aware of the number of games Madrid will be playing, which are damn too many for any fit player to attend. Rotation is the key to success, if he can develop, im sure he will, this young players, have them play against a mediocre club, cause the big boys of Madrid ( figo, ronaldo and co ) are for the bigger clubs, then slowy these young talents should gain convidence and prove themselves to be part of the greatest club in the world.


...............remember, Quiroz relied only on the big guns and fatigue eventually got the better of them, we all saw the teams collapse in the last month of the season. Now, Camacho is very aware of that. hahahaha!!!!! no one can beat them now, if Ronaldo or Raul gets injured, no need to worry, Morientes and Owen can easily fill the void. And if someone can get pass Helguera, he still have to go thru Samuel and Carlos and Salgado and Pavon and hopefully Woodgate. but they have some problem with their mid-field. Beckham, Solari, Figo and Zidane, i don't seem to find any good players who can substitute for them if they want to rest.
any ideas Raul Julia

[raul julia]

well my answer is Helguera. His a true blue midfielder......meaning the defense will have Roberto Carlos,Samuel,Woodgate& Salgado with Pavon,Bravo,Juanfran,Miñambres and Mejia as subs.....the midfield will most likely be composed of Zidane,Helguera,Beckham&Figo, with Solari,Guti,Borja,Celades as reserves.....now theres our Galacticos.......,.but they should never be complicent, Barcelona had purchased lots of Brazilians and Valencia importing Italians............

Aug.29 is their first la liga game against Mallorca..Lets get it on!!!!!!!!!

[raul julia]

No. Player Pos
23 David Beckham M
8 Borja D
15 Raul Bravo D
1 Iker Casillas G
20 Alberto Celades M
25 Cesar G
10 Luis Figo M
14 Guti M
6 Iván Helguera D
25 Torres Juanfran D
24 Alvaro MejÃ*a D
17 Oscar Miñambres D
8 Fernando Morientes F
11 Michael Owen F
22 Francisco Pavon D
7 Raúl F
3 Roberto Carlos D
11 Ronaldo F
2 Michel Salgado D
19 Walter Adrián Samuel D
21 Santiago Solari M
18 Jonathan Woodgate D
5 Zinedine Zidane M

[fingolfin]

predictions

mine is 3-0 to madrid........

[fingolfin]

........why did they let go of Portillo?? that kid has lots of potential but he is sort of an air-head.

[raul julia]

he has potentials indeed but, with the arrival of Owen and the return of Morientes he became expendable......

[raul julia]

Man. U just acquired Wayne Rooney,,,hmmmmmmm, i think they felt the pressure of the other teams big signings.,,..what will become of Van Nestelrooy,they already have Alan Smith?.,..,.who will stay at the bench?..will, they can always emulate Owen,.......

[fingolfin]

van nistelrooy aw, go Real................or maybe Valencia, Alex always do some stupid decisions....influx of new players will need some time for them to blend in.