Franck Ribery to Real Madrid: Is Ribery Worth It?

(Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

The "soap-opera" of Ribery's transfer is yet not over if Marca is to be believed, after all the news that Ribery has a price tag of €94 million according to Bayern, an agreement has been struck with Ribery and he would join the next season and much more hooblah!

Now Marca claims that Florentino Perez is still interested to bring the French wizard to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for €30 million plus Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.

There is a high possibility that the "news" covered by Marca is a rumour, but they haven't been wrong this summer. That is the part that scares me.

Although I am a big fan of Ribery and would love to see him him play in the white, but somehow somewhere there is a feeling that this is not right and he should not be bought this year, at least at the current price-tag that has been put on Ribery by the Bavarian club.

Surely Ribery is world class and there are none better, but still paying €30 million plus Sneijder and Robben for him is like being robbed. (Just like our Catalan rivals Barcelona were robbed when they signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Stop competing for once, Real Madrid! There are no prizes for who was robbed the worst!)

How is that robbery?

Well first of all, there is a strong interest in Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan, who are willing to pay €25 million for him and Arjen Robben is also valued at some €25-30 million add all that up and the sum rises upto €80-85 million.

Which I believe is too much to pay for a 26 year old who has two years remaining on his contract and who is already under a pre-agreement with Real Madrid and who can be purchased for €25 million at max next season.

Can Real Madrid manage without Ribery?

Real Madrid is a very strong team even without Franck Ribery in it and Arjen Robben is a quality player too despite his injury prone career. I know, I have suggested Juan Mata over Arjen Robben, but that was just for cost-cutting and bringing back Canteranos.

Or Kaka could be given a Zidane role, drifting inside and Lass/Granero/M Diarra and Xabi could play as central midfielders.

So, Yes, Real Madrid can manage without Ribery.

What if Robben gets injured?

When Arjen Robben gets injured, Real have a lot of depth to cover for Robben because Kaka and Granero being central players can very well cover the left wing, and don't forget Marcelo and Drenthe who have already played in that position. Miquel Palanca—a Castilla player could be recruited if necessary, just like the previous season.

Gonzalo Higuain is also capable to play on the wing but he should not be forced on the wing, that's why I left his name out.

Conclusion

Ribery is good, but why pay €80-85 million for a player who can be bought for €20-25 million plus Robben is good as good as Ribery if kept fit.

Enough money has already been spent, some revenue has to be generated from sales but giving Robben and Sneijder for Ribery would be like giving away Sneijder and Robben for free.

Ribery can wait for a year before prancing in the Real Madrid jersey.

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