Madrid Sell Two Dutchmen, But Were They The Wrong Ones?

Puneet Singh

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.

The Mistreatment Of 'Samu'; A Look Back At Samuel Eto'os' Last 15 Months At Barcelona

Puneet Singh

Usually when a team has massive success in one year its better to add players to that group rather than subtract. It would be foolish to remove a player or group of players especially if the one player you are removing was one of your best players out on the field.

In case you haven't realized yet, I am talking about the Samuel Eto'o saga that has finally found its conclusion.

With the conclusion of the Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona for Samuel Eto'o the 1 year loan of Aliaksandr Hleb along with €48 million euros due to be done by this coming Monday, its time to take a look at how this saga actually began, back in the summer of 2008.

SUMMER of 2008

Call it the exodus and the re-establishment. Ronaldinho, Deco, Juliano Belletti, Gianluca Zambrotta, and their coach Frank Rijkaard were all shown the door while Lilian Thurman hung it up due to a potentially fatal heart condition.

In that summer came in came Pep Guardiola as their coach, along with Seydou Keita, Hleb, Gerard Pique and Martin Caceres.

There was a strong push from both Guardiola and president Joan Laporta to have join Eto'o join the former group with an exit at the Nou Camp. They were heavily offering away 'Samu' (what the Blaugrana faithful call him) to Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Arsenal.

Numerous deals were being offered; Eto'o for Emmanuel Adebayor (who came off his monster season), Eto'o for Dider Drogba, Eto'o for WHOEVER.

It was a slap in the face of a loyal servant who was coming off a year where he scored 18 goals in 28 total games which included 16 in 18 La Liga games.

Unfortunately for Eto'o a deal never materialized. Lucky for Barcelona. They would not add a forward that transfer window. And Eto'o would go off to have a big year leading them to the treble.

All the while that Barca were shopping away their #9, Eto'o continually insisted that he wanted to stay at Barcelona and see out not only his contract but his playing career as well. Eto'o did not deserve Barca, he deserved better.

The 08/09 Campaign; The Year of Barca's Treble

Barca started the year off in scintillating form with the offense in full force outscoring opponents 15 to 6 while going 4-0-1 in that time. Eto'o was responsible for four of the first 15 goals.

When everything was all said and done and Barcelona had finished their 2008-2009 season winning La Liga, Copa Del Reya and The Champions League; thus concluding the treble. In that Champions League final against Manchester United, it was Eto'o who tore through the Manchester United defense in the 1st 10 minutes to score the game winning goal.

At the end of the 08/09 year Eto'o finished second on the team in scoring, amassing a whopping 36 goals in 52 games which was 10 more than Thierry Henry and two less than Lionel Messi; the man who received all the accolades and praise for Barca's success.

SUMMER of 2009

Barca started the summer off quiet while Madrid and Manchester City were the ones making all the noise.

With Madrid stacking stars like poker chips, the pressure was on Barca. Whilst there was no interest from Barca to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul Albiol or Kaka, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola did make it clear that signing either Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema or David Villa was his objective this offseason.

When Madrid were unable to sign Villa, they turned to Benzema and wrapped up that deal as well. Barca made an attempt to sign Villa, but his loyalty remained with Valencia. They were looking at a summer of no major signing while Madrid would take the spotlight of the summer without winning anything. Even Carlos Tevez showed his true colors as a mercenary and signed with Manchester City in a mega contract deal.

After Madrid had mopped up most of the major chips of the summer, Barca made a quick splash to sign Kerrison as a piece for the future but look set to loan him out for at least this year unless Eidur Gudjonsen finds a new home.

Back track to Eto'o: Eto'o was almost offloaded in late June early July; the newly rich Manchester City were 90% done with a deal to sign Samu; the transfer fee of €25 million had been agreed to by both parties and all that was left were the personal terms. That was the stumbling block; Eto'o was demanding upwards of €10 million after taxes. The Citizens felt that was too much for their swollen pocketbook and opted against that, instead taking Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz along with Tevez.

The Week Of July 19th, 2009

Rumors became truth. Ibrahimovic officially hands in his transfer request to Jose Mourinho and Massimo Moratti, claiming he wants to go to Barcelona because he has a better chance of winning the Champions League and Ballon D'Or.

Inter Milan oblige and begin discussions with Barcelona within that week. Barcelona view this as an opportunity to offload Eto'o, while Inter will gladly take the services of a forward who has scored 130 in 200 appearences for Barca.

The deal is contingent on both players passing physicals while the contracts have been setup; Ibra will now earn €8 million a year for Barcelona while Eto'o's wages are suppose to bring him in upwards of €7 million.

Inter Milan are sad to see Ibra go, but both Moratti and Mourinho are ecstatic to have a player coming in who WANTS to be there. Eto'o meet Jose, Jose meet Samu. This is a match made in heaven.

Why Did Barca Go This Route?

Why did Barcelona opt to give up their second leading scorer who was such a clutch player for them over the last three years for a player who is considered a big game flop all over Europe?

Three Reasons:

1.) Eto's Contract. Samuel Eto'o wanted a pay raise over the last three years which Barcelona have failed to give him. He had openly stated that he will not sign an extension for Barcelona unless his wages are improved; very understandable given his work for the team.

2.) Youth. While there is only a one year age difference, many believe Eto'o has already peaked and a decline is imminent within the next two to three years. Ibra'cadabra on the other hand is 27 and many believe he has yet to put it all together to be the total package. With a move to Barca everyone is banking on it to finally happen.

3.) A New Dimension. Eto'o can score, we all know that. But what Zlatan scores and creates opportunities for others; something that Eto'o doesn't do so good. What Barca are hoping is that when opponents lock down on Messi, Ibra will take over and when teams lock in on Ibra, Messi can run wild.

Conclusion:

Eto'o deserves better. Many people don't criticize Guardiola and Laporta because they don't say much to stirrup trouble, but actions speak louder than words. Laporta may have signed Ibrahimovic but it is mainly from the pressure of Madrid. When Zlatan flops in El Classico and Champions League, Barca will wonder what could've been if Eto'o was around.

Good Bye Samu, you are off to a greener pasture. Eto'o and the €48 million make Inter a better team now and for the upcoming years. Ibra = Scudetto. Eto'o and €48 million = a strong run in the Champions League.