With the saga of Wesley Sneijder to Inter Milan finally over, people can stop reading the mularky of his on and off deal with the La Beneamata. Jose Mourinho finally captured his man and for a cut rate price of £15 million, a steal for the dynamic dutchman. He'll be a staple in the center of the park making a nice duo with either Sulley Muntari or Esteban Cambaiasso. Madrid's loss.
In addition to Madrid selling Sneijder to Inter, they also found it necessary to sell Arjen Robben; this time in a deal to Bayern Munich for £25 million and nothing in a deal that solidifies Franck Ribery coming to the Bernabeau.
Wesley Sneijder was purchased for £27 million while Robben was brought in for £24 million, meaning a combined £51 million for the Dutch duo. The fact that they were sold a lot cheaper than what they should've been sold at shows that Madrid are just trying to minimize their debt from their lavish sprending spree this summer. (Those who argue that there is a £1 million profit on Robben must realize he can fetch at least £30 million if Madrid weren't desperate to move him).
Their sales were an insult to both the players and Madrid supporters.
Sneijder is a world class CM and was vital to Madrid's success in 2007-2008. He insisted over and over again that he didn't want to leave, yet was forced out the door by Florentino Perez.
The case of Robben is much worse. Robben is by many standards amongst the top wingers in the world; in the same conversation as Franck Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. While Messi and Ronaldo are on their own planet, Robben is only a notch below them. A proven success in the Premier League with Chelsea and then his successful run in La Liga with Madrid, he is one of Holland's more accomplished players. With all the big names coming to Madrid this summer, Robben was the one who's spot was supposidely safe and wouldn't be sold.
Little did we know that two of Madrid better and consistent performers would be sold.
Robben and Ribery on the flanks for Bayern will give them THE BEST Winger tandem in all of the world. A midfield of Ribery-Van Bommel-Schweinsteiger-Robben is better than most can imagine. Great pickup for Bayern as it is a steal.
With Sneijder to Inter, Jose is handing him the keys to the offense and letting him be the playmaker for Eto'o, Milito and Ballotelli.
The big question now arises. Why were two players who could fight for and deserve a place on the Madrid squad sold, when two players who clearly want out (Rafael Van Der Vaart and Ruud Van Nistelrooy) are still here?
Pellegrini said himself that he wanted Van Der Vaart out and Sneijder to stay. Sneijder offers more to the team with his versatility, work rate and skill than Van Der Vaart does. Even Esteban Granero has more to offer than Van Der Vaart. And Van Nistelrooy now seems the odd man out with the addition of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain and Raul still at forward.
It is still possible that Van Der Vaart and Van Nistelrooy both leave too? More than likely yes. But how do Madrid fix the sale of Wes and Arjen? Hopefully Guti can turn the clock back and De La Red's condition gets better or they have a gem in the Cantera. Otherwise, when someone goes down, they're gonna be thin on the flanks and kiss the creativity good bye.
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