Big spending Real Madrid are to feature in their own Mastercard adverts parodying their summer spending spree.

Florentino Perez

Newly reinstated "Master of Madrid" Perez has confirmed that they will do three spots over the summer with the first one airing just before the start of the season.

Perez was quoted as saying -

" I know a lot of people put there are very jealous of us being able to spend all of this money on whoever we want

But since it's coming of my Mastercard and not from bank loans as some Catalan based newspapers are reporting I thought I'd show the world that not only can I build great football teams but that I also have a great sense of humor to go with it"

Marca

Madrid based newspaper who broke the story last night have confirmed the basis of the first ad and it will go something like this -

1. New suit for Perez = £1000

2. Signing Kaka = £56m

3. Signing Cristiano Ronaldo = £80m

4. Beating Barcelona = Priceless

There are some things money can't buy, for everything else there's Real Madrid!

Early reports suggest that there is a 100% approval rating amongst Real fans and since they are based throughout the whole of Spain it looks as though the ad campaign will run country wide with a view to go across Europe some time in October.

10 game win streak

Also announced at a press conference last night was Real's latest Perez signing- A 10 game win streak - which reputedly has set back Madrid about £94.3m and will come in to start the new season.

Perez said -

"That's just the kind of player we need to help us win the league, he is very unselfish and will single handedly help us win the first 10 games of the season

I think £94.3m is a steal for someone of his caliber."

Perez has his critics, but one things for sure, he knows how to spend money and it remains to be seen who else might be swayed by his seemingly bottomless pockets and no-limit Mastercard.

Hi and hello football fans, it's your old pal Roko the Football Guy, whats going down? I hope all is well wherever you are! Things are humid here in the broom closet at football guy towers, for some reason in the winter this is the coldest place in the tower and in the summer it's too hot and considering it's not really that hot in the grand scheme of things in London you can only imagine what it must be like for me if the temperature really got high......

As you can guess from the title of the post, I'm going to be talking about the proposed transfer of C-Ron to Real Madrid. I've tried to put off talking about such things until they actually happen but hey, it's a slow Monday.

First off I'd like to say that Real might actually be the first team to ever have a Championship Manager summer and by that I mean amass a team of superstars all in one transfer window just like you could in Championship Manager. I do wonder where they are getting all this money from, but to be fair it is Real so the Spanish government has probably subsidized them with a secret loan that has 0% interest and has to be paid back at 1p a month for the next 2000 years. I wouldn't mind if the rumors were that they were just buying Kaka and C-Ron but from the sounds of it that's just the beginning, where will it end? Well since their just throwing money about I'd like to offer them my services as the official Real Madrid DJ/Announcer, you know, that guy who plays the tunes before the match starts and lets you know what the starting XI's are. Plus I get to make announcement during the game like -

"Could Mr Gonzalez please see your nearest steward as your car is parked illegally"

It would be great, plus when C-Ron scores I can do the whole - "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL" - thing as it sends the crowd wild.

I actually applied for that at the Emirates but they turned me down because they said I'd make to much noise and it would distract the players...............

My Thoughts

OK, I kind of lied to you, these are not going to be my thoughts on the transfer but rather my thoughts on the comments people have made about the proposed transfer.......... You'll see what I mean.

"Am I surprised (that Ronaldo is joining Real Madrid)? No, because I knew it would happen at some stage.

"We already knew that Real Madrid had a pre-contract agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo and that it was only a matter of time.

"I don't know exactly when that agreement was made, but I do know it was in place."

Football Guy's reaction

Not a lot (Happy Martin?) has been made of this supposed agreement between Real and C-Ron where they would have to pay him £25m if they did not sign him this summer. How and when did they sign this agreement? Is it even legal? How do I go about getting one?

Seriously, was this signed whilst he was at United? Because that to me seems quite fishy as it seems like some soft of breach of contract to me. I guess it must be fine as United have not complained about it but I know I would be pissed if I found out an Arsenal player had such an agreement with another club.

Is this going to be added into next seasons Football Manager?

"These excessive transfers are happening almost every day. It is very puzzling at a time when football faces some of its worst ever financial challenges.

"These transfers are a serious challenge to the idea of fairplay and the concept of financial balance in our competitions."

Football Guy's reaction

Well Michel, the only thing I find puzzling is where have Real got all this cash from, other than that it's nothing new, throughout the course of Football the bigger teams have attracted the bigger players either through prestige or money.

And as for your idea of fairplay and financial balance, when you left France to go and play for Juventus, did you leave because you grew up supporting Juve or because they paid the most money for you? Pot, kettle, black!

"It sets a standard that so many clubs will be unable to compete with - and if you do try to compete (financially with Real Madrid) you are building massive volumes of debt.

"That's one of the reasons Manchester United couldn't refuse the bid - they were bought on the back of a leverage bid. They owe money and they've got interest to pay.

"Football isn't immune to the world's problems and, as such, is very vulnerable."

Football Guy's reaction

Remember the big outcry from United fans when the Glaziers took over, they didn't want the club saddled with debt. Well ever since they took over that debt has been growing, I think it's up at around £700m. Now as Taylor has said, that needs to be paid back (well the interst does at least) and £80m is a very nice sum to be able to pay back some of that and still have money to invest in new players.

"It's fantastic for the league because next year there will be so many stars.

"Madrid is reinforcing itself, spending a lot of money, but I prefer something that already works and that is a guarantee of titles and will definitely work next year."

Football Guy's reaction

I'm not really sure what Pique is trying to say here...... Is he happy Real are getting better? Does he realize that this could hinder his own teams chances of winning the league?

I think young Pique has spent a little too much time in the sun drinking sangria..... Poor demented youngling.

"The most important thing for the team is to achieve a group mentality.

"I think Madrid need five signings. Most of them in attack, as that is Real Madrid's playing mentality."

Football Guy's reaction

Well Real might need five more players, but I don't think most of them need to be in attack. I think Kaka and C-Ron will bolster their attack sufficiently. Their attack was not that bad last season, they managed 83 goals which was the 2nd highest in La Liga! The problem was a defense which let in 52, that's just six less than Betis and Recreativo who both went down!

I don't see them doing it as it's not Perez's style, but some defensive improvement would not go amiss.

"When you fall out with Sir Alex, whatever may be the reasons - David Beckham did it as well with the entourage he carried with him - they're on their way.

"You can't have this disharmony brought upon the players and the club every year and I think United - £80m - cut their hands off and give Real Madrid the problem of handling Ronaldo from now on in.

"Man United are the biggest club in the world: talk about Real Madrid and Barcelona. No, when you leave Man United you go downhill."

Football Guy's reaction

With all due respect Tommy, I don't think this has anything to do with team harmony...... United have been made an offer they can refuse and are selling. I'm not sure any team would refuse £80m for any player FULL STOP.

And as for your last statement, this is what really pisses me off with United fans...... YOU ARE NOT THE GREATEST CLUB IN THE WORLD EVER!!!!!!!!!

I'm not saying this to be anti United but I truly believe that if you asked every professional player on the plant which club they would like to play for if money had nothing to do with it I'm pretty sure most would say Real and AC Milan for the sheer prestige....... United don't even have the same amount of European Cup's as Liverpool for god sake let alone Real and AC Milan!

"Cristiano's departure is not impossible to fix.

"He will be missed but United have other players who can replace him."

Football Guy's reaction

Well one things for sure......... It won't be you!

"My reaction is disappointment more than anything because he's a great, great player - this situation of 'is he or isn't he?' has been going on for last 12 months. I honestly thought he'd stay there as long as the manager would but it hasn't worked out that way, he obviously wants to go.  

"He's a great player - there's a lot of jealousy out there about great players and about Manchester United being successful so that comes into it, there's not many foreign players in England who don't do the occasional dive but he's a fantastic player.

"I never thought for one moment that he'd leave, I thought he might have stayed for another couple of years, it's a great disappointment."

Football Guy's reaction

Well, I think that's a pretty fair assessment. Whilst I thought he would leave at some stage I must say I'm surprised it was this summer.

He is a great player and it's true most people unfortunately like to take pot shots at great players about this or that and to me his diving was not really that big a problem because as we've seen from England internationals, most players dive......... C-Ron's problem for me was his reaction to not getting a free kick regardless of if he dived. Throwing his hands in the air demanding the ref take action as if to say "no mere mortal can take the ball from me without fouling." That's what I found annoying, but hey, we all have are faults right?

"When you look at this deal, you think football has gone absolutely mad. For Ronaldo to be worth £80m is just staggering.

"Something has to happen in this game because things can't go on like this."

Football Guy's reaction

I hate comments like this. What do you mean - "Something has to happen in this game because things can't go on like this."? - It's not like all of a sudden £80m transfers are going to become the norm, hell you don't really see many £30m transfers.

Basically if I own a club and can afford to pay that much, surely it's down to me if I want to pay it? I think old Dave is jealous that he can't and wishes football came down to his level.

"Manchester United are a private company and like any other private company have to think about their financial considerations. We have no indication of how much of the £80m they might use to service the debt, but clearly servicing their debt is very important to them.  

"Real Madrid's structure allows them to be much more ostentatious in terms of their spending. United are a private company, a profit-making organisation if they can, so there is an imperative to control costs while generating revenue.

"The debt is there, we are told they are controlling the debt, even so they have to pay some of the debt off on a regular basis.

Football Guy's reaction

Very well put and I have nothing to say other than to ask if he is related to former United player Luke Chadwick....... Judging from his picture I say no...... He's not ugly enough!

"I don't think they can turn it down. The only problem the manager has got is to find someone to replace Cristiano, given the number of goals he has scored.

"When Ruud van Nistelrooy left, people said the manager did not know what he is doing but Ronaldo stepped up to the plate.

"Whether this might allow them to sign Carlos Tevez now and still have money left in the kitty to get other players... the manager will not have his head buried in the sand. He will be looking and scouring the market worldwide."

Football Guy's reaction

That is going to be the key I guess, how do you replace his goals? It's not just the amount of goals he scored either that's the problem, how do you replace all those important goals, the match winners, the individual brilliance that won so many games for United over the last two seasons single handed.

It's a tough ask, but I think signing Tevez would be the right thing to do and from then on Fergie should be able to figure it out..... He is a Sir after all....

Take care

Football Guy 

Hi and hello football fans, it's your old pal Roko the Football Guy, whats going down? I hope all is well wherever you are! There is an air of depression here in the broom closet at football guy towers. As many of you know, I've been in Barcelona recently for a friends wedding and had the best six days ever and now I'm depressed to be back in rainy Grey London with my boring job and boring friends.......(OK, just kidding about the last one....).

But seriously folks, I really did have the most amazing times and might well be relocating from the broom closet to Casa del Football Guy in the near future. I will tell you more about my adventures in Barca as the week goes on, but first I'd like to go over a couple of things that have happened in Football since we last spoke.

Barry to Manchester City

So after having spent the last year hearing how Liverpool are going to buy Gareth Barry he now ends up and Man City???? I will never trust the newspapers ever again!!!

Could there be more to the stories about Liverpool having no cash than meets the eye? Had this been the price last summer no doubt Barry would have ended up in Liverpool not Manchester, yet last season Liverpool were prepared to pay more than this....... What happened?

Pretty good signing for Manchester City, Barry should add some much needed stability to a City center that has been pretty erratic over the last season.

I'm sure this will be the first of many summer signings for City but I think it will be more intresting to see how Villa replace their Captain.

Perez back at Real - Galactico's round two?

The man behind Real Madrid's Galactico's has been back for a mere couple of weeks and already the spending seems to have begun with Real on the verge of signing Kaka for a record £54m.

The question is, were will it stop? With C-Ron, Ribery and David Villa all being linked with the Madrid giants I wouldn't put it passed old Perez to bring in anyone.

I've been reading in the papers and on other blogs the views of allot of ney-sayers criticizing Perez for the way he builds a team. I say fuck it, it worked before and if you can afford it why not. I don't think the fans of any other team on the planet would complain if Perez turned their team in to the Galactico's and brought in a Champions League or two.

One things for sure, love him or hate him, Perez knows how to bring in the top brass of the Worlds players and this summer should be an exciting one for anyone who loves Real Madrid.

Liverpool's financial problems

Take care

Football Guy

Hello football fans, it's your old pal the Football Guy, hope all's well wherever you are.

Things have been a bit hectic here in the broom-closet at Football Guy Towers and it's resulted in a lack of post so far this week..... Well that's about to chance, I'm going to start to try and post at least four times a week every week with at least one podcast to boot!

A lot of the time it might only be a little blurb about what's going on in Football and others will be longer pieces about specific subjects, but all in all it should lead to more enjoyment for you guys out there who are the only real reason I write this as if nobody read it it would be pointless, right?

Football Guy v Mark Lawrenson

For some reason I failed to link to Lawro's predictions on Saturday morning and that has left my scratching my head as to a way to find out what his prediction for the Sunderland Tottenham match was.....

But nevermind, we will have to wait for his next lot of predictions as he always has the results to the previous weeks (even though he often lies).

As for me, I got the Sunderland v Tottenham match spot on and will update the table on Friday for the weekend preview post.

Euro Fun

Just watched the Liverpool v Real Madrid game tonight and it's good to see Liverpool have not lost the ability of having the ref on their side in Europe and he duly gifted them two goals with shocking decisions.

First off how does he not give a foul for Torres blatant pull back on the Madrid player?

And secondly how was that a penalty for handball against Heinze? (to be fair it was the assistant ref who gave that one)

I witnessed this total bias toward Liverpool in last seasons 1/4 finals when they robbed Arsenal over the two legs and that why (if Arsenal get through tomorrow night) I want them in the next round as I want blood.... And by blood I mean revenge.

I actually called up my buddy Stew in Barcelona earlier tonight to wish him luck (Liverpool fan) and did my best Apollo Creed impression shouting "I want you" like Apollo did in Rocky IV just before getting killed by Ivan Drago...... Only when Arsenal play Liverpool this year Arsenal will be Drago and Liverpool Creed.... Although having the ref on their side would probably mean they would be more like a "Juiced Up" Creed with roid rage.... But I'm sure just like Rocky managed to take down a roided Drago through the emotion of revenge, so could Arsenal.

Power Rankings

I was originally going to do the Power ranking for this month this week but it might be pushed back to next week do to other work I have to do, but never fear... It's coming.

Anyway, till tomorrow

Take Care

Football Guy