Calderon needs a big player signing and what is making his situation all the more difficult, they now cannot afford to lose Brazilian Robinho for the very reason they have not gotten Ronaldo. Madrid are getting played at their own game and their argument heard all summer that you cannot force a player to stay at a club if he is not happy, a la Ronaldo, has come back to bite them somewhat.
If Robinho does depart then Madrid must buy a big player to score goals. However there is not that type of player readily available. Someone who might be, David Villa, is complicated, in that Valencia will rip their own eyes out before they have to sell to Madrid, for example just what happend to midfielder Mendieta, who was forced to move to Lazio, even though he wanted Madrid.
Not only that there is a real fear in Madrid that if Villa came, it would cause huge problems for Raul, which in turn would cause problems in the dressing room.
Out with the big two...
Villareal will be an exciting prospect having bought well once more, maybe the Champions League and La Liga might be a stretch, however they could be a decent outside bet.
Atletcio Madrid have a first eleven that is world class but have no great bench. Valencia, will not be able to buy and will not challenge the whole season, Sevilla have lost three of their best players but have bought well and looked good pre-season so we will wait and see.
My feeling as we head into the new season in Spain is that it could be one of those years where one of the big two might not win La Liga. I do have a sense Madrid will not be as strong as last year and Barcelona will get their act together, my money is on Barcelona, although I would not be over reaching to think a challenger will come through, and with some intensity.
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Chievo are back as are Bologna and Lecce.
There should be another interesting mix at the top, the big four could be broken once again with Fiorentina getting in the pack last year.
AC Milan have bought without having had to spend big, Flamini an excellent signing (and young for Milan), Zambrotta must prove his legs are not gone and Ronaldinho has everything to prove... any doubters you better go hide now the man is a coming back.
Kaka situation... is there one? People in Milan have told me he does not particularly want to leave, he has just become a father and has a great love for the city in addition to the fact he wants to be the heir to Maldini in terms of being the Milanesta captain for life.
However he did say, if it suited Milan, i.e 78 million into their bank account he might think again but I highly doubt this.
At Inter Milan, there is a new man in charge, to the despair and delight off all... Mourinho has arrived, he didn't get Lampard but got Muntari and Mancini. This club needed to sell most importantly and have failed to do so, but they have time.
Juventus are still recharging the batteries but this giant is coming back to strength and it will be exciting to have this great team once more in the Champions League.
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