Is It Time to Re-Evaluate Real Madrid's Galactico Policy Under Florentino Perez?

It felt like a familiar saturation point had been reached in the summer just gone. A case of mistakes being repeated and lessons going unlearned. 

In July, there were Real Madrid, 10th European title in hand, adding yet another attacking star in James Rodriguez—and, to a lesser extent, Toni Kroos—to the already attack-heavy mix just a year after bringing Gareth Bale to the Bernabeu. 

In full flow again was Florentino Perez's infamous Galactico policy, just as it had been a decade earlier when the arrival of David Beckham followed those of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo during the president's first tenure. 

On that occasion, the signing of Beckham—one that coincided with the departure of Claude Makelele—proved to be the tipping or saturation point, seeing Los Blancos endure a tumultuous 2003-04 season in which the team's balance and equilibrium were lost amid the presence of too many attacking talents. 

The Galactico policy, Figo later said, made Real Madrid a "circus." 

So when the club predictably pursued a pair of World Cup sensations this year under similar circumstances, the wider consensus was that the European champions—or, perhaps more accurately, Perez—were again falling for the same trappings of notoriety that had put a halt to their last period of true dominance at the turn of the century.

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For those who shared that perception (this writer was certainly one of them), Real Madrid's stuttering start to the current season justified their stance; that remarkable collapse against Real Sociedad at the Anoeta stood as an illustration of what can happen when the commodity of balance is seemingly ignored. 

At the time, and even before it when the signings of Rodriguez and Kroos had been confirmed, Zidane's famous line that went "why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?" rang loud. 

Surely, in an entire summer of transfer hyperbole, no quote was more regularly recited than that one. 

But are we now approaching a point where the Galactico policy should be re-evaluated? Is it possible that, through the use of a such a policy, overwhelming financial and on-field success at Real Madrid can be linked rather than mutually exclusive?

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A construction magnate, Perez has always been viewed primarily as a ruthless businessman rather than an astute football administrator. While the on-field spectacle of his dealings might interest a part of the Real Madrid president, one has always sensed he's gained greater satisfaction from his club's financial dominance.

The Galactico policy has been a key component in that, drawing the sport's biggest names to the Spanish capital and seizing upon the corporate interest that arrives from a growing number of markets.

Last year, Perez spoke with unrestrained pride of his economic achievements. This year he did the same. 

There might be considerably more to celebrate soon, though. 

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Indeed, Real Madrid's current form is ominous for the club's rivals in Spain and across Europe. A stretch of 13 consecutive victories has yielded a staggering 52 goals, positioning Los Blancos as the continent's most dominant force. 

Most compelling about Real's run has been the ability of the squad's firepower to overcome any challenge that has been posed, including those stemming from their own defensive limitations—this isn't a squad without weaknesses, as Carlo Ancelotti has happily acknowledged. 

That quality of balance alluded to earlier is being rendered almost irrelevant; the current theme appearing to be that the side with the biggest bomb wins the war. 

Real Madrid, thanks in large part to the Galactico policy, are currently that side. 

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So we get back to the key question: Do we need to reconsider the on-field merit of Perez's notorious transfer activity? Can the maligned Galactico policy please the football historians and statisticians, as well as the accountants?

The current incarnation of Real Madrid suggests that might be so. Perhaps more tantalisingly, it feels possible that Ancelotti's outfit might be capable of redefining how we view football, reshaping our perception of the ingredients underpinning success. 

If this team were to defend their Champions League title next May, they will have done so by fielding six offensive weapons (Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Bale, Rodriguez, Kroos and Luka Modric) in the same XI. 

Would the triumph of such an attacking nirvana alter the way you perceive positional balance?

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It's imperative to note the influence of a manager over a squad of this calibre at Real Madrid.

Just as Ancelotti is doing now, Vicente del Bosque steered the previous generation of Galacticos with his revered blend of composure, diplomacy and innate feel for the inner workings of a group. The product of such an approach was two La Liga titles and one European crown in three seasons—a return that, until the arrival of Ancelotti, has since looked out of reach for his successors. 

Indeed, the similarities between Del Bosque and Ancelotti, who's enjoying a blistering opening to his managerial career in the Spanish capital, suggest a very specific type of leader is required to unlock the potential of an extravagant, Perez-built outfit. 

Could that evidence suggest a saturation point has been wrongly cited as the reason for the downfall of Real Madrid's first Galactico era? Was the rash sacking of Del Bosque, the ideal conductor for that group, the real catalyst for the policy's short-lived success last time around?

If that's the case, Ancelotti, who shares so much with the Spaniard, could be set to lead Real Madrid to new heights, possibly changing our view of the Galactico policy in the process.