Charlie Klein
In last year's transfer windows, two world class players left Real Madrid. Not because they particularly wanted out of the Spanish capital, but because Real wanted them gone. At the time it made a little sense. When one goes out and spends upwards of 200 million euro on transfer fees, it is important to be bringing in some cash as well.
No one questioned Florentino Perez when he decided to sell Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. Where were they going to play considering the additions of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema? And Real already had Rafael Van Der Vaart, who they had judged to be a more worthwhile Dutchman to keep. Boy how wrong have they been?
When I saw the reported fees paid for both Robben and Sneijder I cried robbery! Inter Milan only had to give up 15 million euro for Sneijder, in the same summer in which Manchester City and Real themselves were inflating the market. When Joleon Lescott goes for 17 million pounds (roughly), Wesley Sneijder ought to go for at least that much if not more.
Bayern Munich paid 25 million euro for Arjen Robben, without having to give up Ribery in the deal Considering the going rate for world class wingers (with Ribery apparently valued at 70 million euro), this was a coup for Beckenbauer & Co. over at the Allianz. This deal in particular seemed to give rise to the idea that perhaps Robben was sold to Bayern to ease the "inevitable" parting between the German club and Franck Ribery. After all, Perez is known for such skullduggery. And Robben has outplayed Ribery this season.
Both Sneijder and Robben have been absolutely essential to both of their team's successes this season. Both Dutchmen find themselves on the right side of their Champions League Semifinal ties and can give themselves all the credit for their team's advantage. Sneijder has been excellent as Mourinho's midfield muse this season at the San Siro, and his attacking nous was on display for all to see versus Barcelona last week.
Arjen Robben has been the tie-winnner in the last three of Bayern Munich's Champions League matches. His goal against Fiorentina advanced them into the Quaterfinals versus Manchester United. And his wonder goal against United in the second leg of that tie proved crucial as well. His goals have not only been vital, but also spectacular. While Ribery (the supposedly better winger) got a red card for a terrible tackle, Robben led a ten-man Bayern side to victory.
Meanwhile back in Madrid, the Merengues find themselves in a very familiar position. With all of the pomp of their summer, Madrid again appear to be poised to watch Barcelona win La Liga again. When they needed a goal, where were Ronaldo, Kaka, and Benzema? They needed a bit of Dutch magic. A little bit of wizardry from Robben or an inch-perfect pass from Sneijder could have made all the difference at the Santiago Bernabeu a few weeks ago.
The Dutch maestros are the two that got away. Certainly Madrid did not need the money from their transfers. The word budget simply is not in their vocaubulary. It is not their style. If either Robben or Sneijder win a Champions League with their new team, I have a feeling that Madristas will come to rue the day they sold their best Dutchmen (of which they have a cadre) to two other titans of European football.
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