The Summer of Record-Breaking Transfers
Real Madrid, Man City and the Spiraling Level of Transfer Spending
Defying the credit crunch and the global recession, the world of soccer has witnessed spiraling spending and record-breaking transfers this summer.
Transfer Fees Reach New Heights
Headlining the big-money moves is certainly Cristiano Ronaldo. Hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson last week as ‘streets ahead of Messi, streets ahead of Kaká,’ the Portuguese winger moved to Real Madrid in a world-record-smashing £80m deal. To this date Real Madrid have spent over £180m this summer on signing the likes of Ronaldo, Spain international defenders Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa, France striker Karim Benzema and Brazilian playmaker Kaká. And many doubt the list would stop there.
In England, Manchester City's transfer spending this summer has been no less spectacular. So far they have recruited England midfielder Gareth Barry, Paraguay forward Roque Santa Cruz, former Old Trafford favourite Carlos Tevez, as well as Arsenal duo Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Touré. And their offer for John Terry was so tempting that it was at one point a distinct possibility for the Chelsea captain to switch allegiance.
A More Expensive Application of the Chelsea Formula?
It is surely a telling sign. With their newly-found financial muscle, Chelsea barged their way through to two Premiership titles in 2004-5 and 2005-6. Last week they almost had their captain lured away by the prospect of double pay. It was an understandably disorientating situation for all at Chelsea.
The spending power of Real and Man City has proved unsettling not just to other less resourceful clubs, but also to the media and fans. Will football become so dominated by money that the richest will simply be guaranteed success?
The Transfer Policy of Real Madrid
For Florentino Pérez, the returning Chairman of Real Madrid, the answer is a loud and clear ‘yes.’ The transfer policy of Real Madrid distinguishes between players who are globally recognizable names, the ‘Galáticos,’ and players needed for footballing reasons alone; and prices them accordingly.
The financial and branding enhancements brought by Ronaldo and Kaká will be worth at least as much as their goals and assists. Albiol and Arbeloa won’t sell too many shirts, but they will certainly shore up the patchy Madrid defence.
In fact Manuel Pellegrini, the new Real Madrid manager, admitted that while he would love to secure the service of Xabi Alonso, the Liverpool and Spain midfielder, he was sorely aware of the fact that Alonso did not fit into the ‘Galáticos’ category. Therefore Madrid would probably not be able to match Liverpool’s price, believed to be close to £30m.
The 'Project' at Manchester City
While Real Madrid have clearly set their sights on becoming the world’s best club team again, a title currently held by Manchester United (if you are a Man Utd fan) or Barcelona (for if you are not), Manchester City have plans that are at the same time much more modest and much more ambitious.
All of their signings are proven performers in the English Premiership; and it is obvious that in the next few years they will only target domestic success.
However, given City's circumstances, domestic success will probably be more daunting a task than for Real to re-conquer the world. Inconsistency, defensive frailty and massive expectations from board and fans alike will be top of the list of concerns for Mark Hughes; and managing a squad of high-income footballers with all of them eager to start every game is never an easy job.
Will all the Money be Justified?
Some have found it rather disgusting, paying so much money for someone to kick a football. Florentino Pérez, in response that, would simply scan his calendar and rest his eyes on 20 May 2010. The 2010 UEFA Champions League final will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu. He would indeed be sickened if, on that day, Real Madrid do not end up the last team on the pitch.
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