Real Madrid vs. Chelsea: Friendly Win Illustrates Strength of Los Blancos

Is it too early to start planning for the Real Madrid title celebration?

Granted it's only a friendly, but it's hard not to be sold on Madrid after their 3-1 win over Chelsea in the final of the International Champions Cup. They were in complete control of the match. Ramires was able to quite easily thread his way through the back four for his goal, but otherwise, Madrid offered very little to the Blues.

Of course, there was some added motivation for this match, as many of players—especially one Cristiano Ronaldo—probably wanted to stick it to Jose Mourinho.

Soccer By Ives' Ives Galarcep thought Ronaldo definitely had a bit of revenge on his mind:

The win over Chelsea continues what has been a very strong preseason for Real Madrid. Just about everything has gone right for the club so far this summer.

Now a lot of that positive momentum hinges on keeping Ronaldo. According to the Spanish paper AS (via the Daily Mirror's Jim Daly), he offered some cryptic comments about this not being the right time to talk about him signing a new deal with the club.

If Ronaldo goes to Manchester United, we're talking about a completely different situation. For the time being, he's still a Madrid player and should be thought of as one when looking forward. Ronaldo is set for a huge season considering how motivated he'll be to atone for last season and how much he'll be buoyed by the managerial change.

Each year, you can pencil Madrid into the top two of La Liga. No other clubs have the financial means with which to catch either Madrid or Barcelona, so you only have to compare them with their Catalan rivals. In this case, you have to give the edge to Madrid.

The irrepressible Ray Hudson likes what he sees out of the Spanish capital:

The summer has been one backward step after another for Barcelona. The club's biggest purchase has been Neymar, who will contribute nothing to the defensive end of the pitch and could clash with Lionel Messi. Barcelona are also bedding in a new manager in Gerardo Martino.

Barca are still relying on a defence that includes Carles Puyol and Alex Song as centre-backs, while having Victor Valdes between the sticks. It's hard to find a top European club with a shakier back line.

Of course, Madrid are counting on a new manager as well. However, they've brought in the kind of manager in Carlo Ancelotti who will right the ship and is much less a wild card than Martino is for Barca. 

Ancelotti's not going to be the divisive force that Mourinho was. In fact, he is the perfect kind of guy to follow up Mourinho. He's going to be much more of a player's manager, while not letting the star power or club stature become too much.

The club has also operated very smartly in the transfer market. While Asier Illarramendi was a bit overpriced, he's the long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso. Isco is one of the most promising young Spanish midfielders. And Daniel Carvajal and Casemiro are ones for the future.

Behind the scenes, they've taken away much of the drama from last season. On the pitch, they've assessed their summer targets and gotten their business done very quickly.

For the first time in quite a while, Madrid look like a stable club. It's stability that will pay major dividends down the road.