Madrid are almost incessantly linked to high priced transfer talent, ranging from Didier Drogba to Diego to Kaka.
Madrid is behind a lot of the top European talent in terms of future stars, and they should try to stockpile as much young talent as possible in order to find their Giovani dos Santos, Bojan, or Alexandre Pato. Madrid simply don't have anyone near that level, and there are several young players who could be on that level that Madrid should target in the coming year.
The first such player is Lulinha, (Luiz Marcelo Morais dos Reis), born in Maua, Brazil on April 10, 1990.
Already being dubbed the "The New Ronaldinho" by Fifa.com, this 17-year-old world-beater is well on his way to a big-time transfer in the near future.
He recently committed his future to his Brazilian club Corinthians. It will "keep" him with the club until Dec. 31, 2012. The four-and-a-half year deal will reportedly pay him the equivalent of £24 million, an amazing sum for the young star.
Lulinha actually rejected advances from top European talent, namely Chelsea and also Inter Milan, so it will be a project to get him to leave before the end of his contract.
Corinthians President Andres Sanchez, understandably proud of being able to keep top world clubs at bay, said after the signing, "Now to take him off Corinthians, the interested club would have to pay $50 million American dollars, and the player has 25 percent of his rights."
While some may read this as a statement that he is off-limits, I interpret it as an admission that Lulinha can be had for the right price. People who are curious may note that, for a club dealing in Euros, $50 million is a shrinking figure and certainly not an outrageous sum for Madrid to pay for a young player.
Need I remind anyone of the two headscratchers of the past year—namely the 20 million Euro transfer fee payed by Madrid for little known midfielder Fernando Gago, as well the outrageous 30 million Euro transfer paid for little known defender Pepe? Neither was rated anywhere near Lulinha's stratosphere, but the Madrid brass deemed them worth those hefty transfer fees.
Madrid have the money and the gall to pay 34.7 million Euros for a player who's unproven at the highest level. He is, according to a Fifa.com article, blessed "with his breathtaking cocktail of flicks and tricks, defence-splitting through-balls and assured finishing. The 17-year-old, who is equally at home in an attacking midfield role or operating as a second forward, is every bit the classic Brazilian No10."
He's about as good a bet to be worth a big time transfer as anyone, much like Sergio Ramos was when Madrid paid Sevilla crazy money back in 2005. That's worked out nicely I would say.
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5 months ago
Giovani didn't score, even one goal for Barca. Pato just started to play in Italy, so you can't say anything yet. Bojan is still young, time will show. Only one thing is not clear to me, I know these guys will probably become great players, but lets get time to show how good they are, not journalists. BTW You say that Real Madrid doesn't have players near that quality?! OMG This is stupidest thing I've read. Robinho is 10 class better than these players, Sergio Ramos is best right back in Europe, Robben is one of most dangerous wingers in europe.
5 months ago
I'm referring to Madrid, "...in terms of future stars." Did you read that part?
Gio may not have scored any goals yet, but his quality is enormous, and his projection is extremely high. That is what I'm promoting, Madrid trying to get as many of these high projection players as possible. You said it yourself, and I quote, "...I know these guys will probably become great players..."
That is what this article is about Anonymous, future stars. Those guys you mentioned are stars already, Robinho, Ramos, and Robben. They are proven, they have league titles and track records. This article is about unproven players, not proven players.
By the way, I'm not going to address Anonymous comments anymore, because you need to put your name next to comments in order to have any sort of accountability. Otherwise you can say whatever you want and not have to face any sort of rebuke.
You can call me stupid, and then I have to explain my article to an anynomous, to no one basically. I feel ridiculous addressing no one, so please, if you're going to criticize, at least put your name next to it.
5 months ago
On an aside, I think Drenthe may be close to being in that Pato, Gio, Bojan superstar in waiting mold. I didn't include it in that article, but I think he just needs more playing time, which will be hard with the numerous midfield options Madrid have. The guy is looking better and better, and he's a bit rough around the edges, but he's still very young.
5 months ago
You have no qualifications and you have no right to say, I quote, "Madrid simply don't have anyone near that level". Real Madrid have a lot of young "non-stars" players, there is Higuain, Balboa, Drenthe, Marcelo and Gago and others. And yes, you can feel ridiculous, but not when write to "Anonymous", but If you write story's like this. Also, you're uninformed, not stupid. I've said text is stupid.
There is no more 'Galacticos', there is lot young future stars players in Madrid.
Alexander R.
5 months ago
Alexander,
Tell me how you really feel mate :)
I agree with you, Madrid have a lot of "non-stars," and I like them a lot. Gago, Higuain, these players were key in winning the league last year. I know this as well as anyone, I was there in the Bernabeu when it happened.
All I'm arguing with this piece is that Real Madrid don't have anyone on the Pato level of talent, projection, and hype, and I'd like them to.
I would never argue that they don't have you talent, because like you've said, Higuain, Gago, Drenthe, and Marcelo (I don't know enough about Balboa besides the few minutes he's played with the big club) are very talented players.
Maybe I'm putting too much stock in this, but I've never heard anyone put Higuain, Gago, or Marcelo in the same breath as a Pato, or Bojan, or Gio. That's all I'm saying Alex.
Also, I've been known to leave comments here and there when I see something I don't agree with, but I always try to bring forth a suggestion as to how the article could be improved. Man, after reading your comments, I feel like I should just stop writing and dissapear, and we'd be all better off.
I appreciate your feedback, as long as you can help me become a better writer, I appreciate all critiques. In your case, you've just said I have no qualifications, and I'm uninformed.
You don't know me Alex, you don't know that I watch every Madrid game, read every article I can get my hands on, try to watch with a discerning eye. I may not be as smart or informed as you, but when you say stuff like it, it comes off as a personal attack against me.
I would just like to ask you to comment, because comments help keep me in check and make me a better writer, but make comments that help enlighten me to new things or point out flaws in my thinking. Just telling me I have no qualifications helps no one, and it makes us both sound like jilted lovers or something like that when we go at it through comment boards.
We're both Madrid fans, and from one fan to another, I'm asking you to help me become a better writer with your feedback, but please don't attack my qualifications, because you have no idea what they are.
Here's to winning La Liga again, and here's to a classic remontada against Roma in Madrid. Cheers!
5 months ago
It may also help to think of my article in terms of Real Madrid Castilla, their B team. The players I'm talking about are, in my hopes, going to be signed and go reinforce Castilla. When they are ready, they should be ready to help and make a Pato-like impact.
It really saddens me to hear those comments Alex, I love those players, Gago, Higuian, Drenthe, etc. I don't even think about them when I write these articles, because they have been with the first team already and I'm only thinking about the Madrid B side players that are going to be coming up.
Players that have enjoyed time on the first team just don't really factor into the discussion, maybe that helps explain the article a bit better? I should have been more clear and for that I apologize Alex.
5 months ago
I'm not Madrid fun and ain't attacking you, but your text.
If you are so well informed, how can be posible that you "didn't heard anything enough about Balboa besides the few minutes he's played with the big club"? I'll tell you.
I quote, ".. but I've never heard anyone put Higuain, Gago, or Marcelo in the same breath as a Pato, or Bojan, or Gio..". This is because of Ancelotti's/Milan's marketing/power/politics and Barca's politics/marketing, this is because of people just like you. In every daily paper you can read about Pato and/or Bojan.
Where are all other great and young players around the europe disappears, why nobody write story about other non-barca and milan players?
Why don't you write about Agüero, Benzema, Breno, Nasri, Banega, Denilson, Leiva, Varela, Lorenzo De Silvestri and others? Maybe because all they are worse than Gio and Krkic? Simply I don't think so.
Regrads.
5 months ago
It's funny you mention Benzema & Nasri...this article is part 1 of a series, and Benzama and Nasri are both in my plans for future articles. I'm glad to hear we're on the same page about something, so I will write about these guys when the time comes.
Thanks Alex.
5 months ago
Haha, very funny argue. I'm Alex's friend and I know how arguing with him is difficult! Cheers, Stephen
4 months ago
There are great players all over Brazil who are undiscovered.
Half a KM from where I live there is a sign......Valencia trials.
Valencia is smart in taking unknown startup players for practically free.
They took at least five indoor (futsal) players two years back and now they are after big field players.
I say players but these are really kids 14 or 15 or younger.
Beckham is also setting up a "training facility" (as if Brazilians have something to learn from the English) in a very poor area. He has stated that there will be free classes for kids who can't afford a football school ( as if Brazilians learn football in schools). This is probably amongst other things just a pretext to scout for million dollar talent.
Brazil is under a scouting attack from everywhere but just like our gold and lumber.....it never runs out.
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