So assuming that the Real Madrid circus was a reality TV show - one of the ones where the useless ones get voted off (and the even more useless ones win), let's take a look at who should/would survive from the current squad.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?
(Let me know who you think should be chopped-and-changed at Real using the comments below)



STICKING AROUND

1. Mahamadou Diarra
   Unquestionably solid, essential player, that should be the first on any team-sheet. If Real Madrid want solidity, he is probably more important than anyone else. And it's not just his toughness or reading and control of the game - he's a more-than-decent technican, can pass the ball well, and pops up with important goals. Is best played however with a an aggressive workhorse partner, while he sits deep. Emerson is currently too similar to him.
   
   
2. Sergio Ramos
   Quick, incredibly athletic, very spirited, and soon to be one of Europe's finest defenders. That of course depends on whether he gets the right mix of coaching and experience. You should've gone to Arsenal.
   
   
3. Ruud van Nistelrooy
   The ugly, cheating, horse-faced one has been terrific for Real this season, showing all his old ability after being released from his nightmares in Manchester. Not really part of a long term plan, but is 25 goals a season guaranteed.
   
   
4. Fernando Gago
   Still not completely sure about him, but is a definite talent and a classy player. A bit taller, but very much like Cesc Fabregas, Gago represents a new generation of midfield talents. To bring the best out of Diarra, I think he needs to be in a system like he was at Lyon - 3 central midfielders, him sitting deep, Essien rushing around charging down everything, and Juninho pulilng the strings in front of them. I think Gago would be perfect for that system, and could flourish in the Juninho role.
   
   
5. Iker Casillas
   An unquestionably brilliant shot-stopper, but not a commanding keeper, and he's short. I don't think he needs to be replaced, but when you have a keeper that's not good with crosses, free-kicks and corners, then you need commanding centre-backs, and Cannavaro and Helguera are not the answer. Ramos has a good leap, but is still on the shorter side, and all three lack presence. Casillas' ability needs to be maximised, and to do so Real need to sign not just an imposing centre-half, but one with the personality needed to command the defence at Real, and take the pressure off the 'keeper.
   
   
6. Guti
   Just the kind of player Real need right now, one who is talented and hard-working, but doesn't need to be a star, and doesn't need to overcomplicate the game. Guti has been shifted around in a lot of positions since he made his debut, and he's now a versatile player with a gifted left foot. Some people might say that stars win championships, but that's equally true of good squad members who make the team better.
   
   
   

1. Raul
   I am one of Raul's biggest fans, make no mistake, but it's time for him to face the facts and leave. He is one of the most effective, resourceful and deadly strikers in the game, but he has suffered with Real's galacticos policy. He is the heart and soul of the club, but he has let his game suffer in order to try and accomodate the players around him. The arrival of Ronaldo saw him drop deep and out to the left, and the further arrivals of Robinho, Cassano, Van Nistelrooy and now Gonzalo Higuain have provided a team that doesn't know how they are playing, with a collection of attackers that don't know where to play. Raul needs to be at the forefront, leading the line, sniffing for chances, and prowling around the penalty box, not doing the dirty work (like he did for Ronaldo) at the expense of scoring goals, which is what he does best. I would love to see him at the Arsenal, but he could do far worse than go to Valencia. Should they accept one of the expected multi-million offers for David Villa, logic would dictate signing Raul, so he could be reunited with Fernando Morientes, the partner with hom he did so well for both club and country. When they played together, they were both equally deadly, and made the team very threating. He would have as much chance of winning La Liga and the Champions League in Valencia, and would re-form one of the best striking partnerships of the last decade. I fear though that he will continue to toil away in Madrid.
   
   
2. Fabio Cannavaro
   The most undeserving winner of World Player of the Year in recent times. A great defender, but he's been average for a few years now. For Italy, he played for a defensive team, with Buffon behind him, and Pirlo in front of him. He was good in the World Cup but not great. In Serie A he played for the cheats, once again with Buffon behind him, but also with Thuram, Zambrotta, and Emerson alongside him. He's past it, and it has shown at Real. In La Liga, where there is more attacking, he has less help, and more to do, and he has struggled. Plus, he has not shown much commitment.
   
   
3. Helguera
   Another great servant to Real, but he has struggled in recent years. What many people forget about Helguera, is that he used to be a midfielder and sometimes quite an attacking one as well. He could run with the ball, and pass it, and anctipate the opposition perfectly. Then, the season that Real won the Champions League in 2000, he played as a weird version of a defensive midfielder/sweeper, sometimes in front of the two centre-halves, sometimes behind. But he excelled; he read the game perfectly, glided out of defence with the ball and improved those around him. For many, he was man of the match in a final that Real won 3-0. Well since then things have slowly gone down. Real started playing a back 4 to accomodate los galacticos and Helguera started to play as a conventional centre-half. He did well, anchoring at the back and scoring vital goals, and still making an occassional midfield appearance. He was still highyl rated at the time, Arsenal making a big offer to Real because they wanted him to replace Manu Petit in midfield, and Juve also showing interest. But Helguera stuck on, and bit-by-bit things have gotten worse. He has shown clearly that he was not meant for central defence, and after being destroyed twice by Ronaldinho, his confidence and poise both seem to have suffered. He looks weary and desperate at times, and needs to move away and get back to the midfield. The fans don't seem to appreciate him anymore either.
   
   
4. Roberto Carlos
   Old, over-rated, and just unsuitable for the team. He may be a legend, but that's all that he is now.
   
   
5. Robinho
   There is too much pressure in Madrid, too many stars, too much chaos, and zero organisation. Robinho has suffered badly under Capello, but hes also suffered because there are 20 players to play in each position, and the coaches have all played him in 20 different positions. Another coach will arrive in Madrid, and i'm sure he will be replaced by another one quite soon, and so on. They will sign more players, have more squabbles and elections, and the circus will never stop. Robinho is a big, big talent, but needs guidance and stability. Arsene Wenger and Arsenal might be the perfect place for him, but I think he could do well to go to Germany or France or a smaller La Liga team on loan for a season. Villareal maybe?
   
   
6. Cassano
   Very talented player, who was a cheap signing. He could be of use, but it would be a waste of his talents, and with his bad attitude and temper he is not going to be content with a place on the bench. They have too many other players, and he needs to go to a smaller club where he can control the play and be the star that he wants to be.
   
   
7. Jose Antonio Reyes
   Somewhere in his head, there exists a brain. Unfortunately he has probably forgotten it at his mother's house, perhaps when he went there to make her tell him a bedtime story, or to help him tie his shoelaces. He could potentially be a footballing genius (and for 5 months in London he was), but he needs to get his head right, and stop acting like a child and a mama's boy. His loan will finish, and I don't think Real will want him. Arsenal won't want to keep him either, and he doesn't want to be anywhere but Spain, so it all depends on who can finance his purchase.
   
   
8. Alvaro Mejia
   When Reyes was still playing at Sevilla, he tormented the Real defence so much that Mejia started to cry. When you have been made to cry by the world's biggest crybaby, then something must be wrong.
   
   
9. Pavon
   Francisco Pavon, of Zidanes and Pavones fame, is a lanky error-prone centre-back who is as bad as Mejia if not worse. Maybe they both will improve as they get older, but they are not going to get better by sitting on the bench. Real are better off buying experienced backup in that position, and letting these boys go and develop their game elsewhere.

And then there's the "others": Salgado is a good solid player, who would be good to keep, but who also wouldn't be missed much if sold. Cicinho is an exciting player, but inconsistent, and like Salgado, wouldn't be missed. It doesn't help that they both play in the same position. Higuain is a talent, but quite young, and largely unproven. He needs another season, like Marcelo, the exciting young Brazilian left-back who has been struck down by injuries.Raul Bravo is an average defender, who will always be back-up. He can fill in effectively at left-back, and not as effectively at centre-back.

Real desperately need a new coach as well, maybe Mourinho, maybe Rafa Benitez, but Mourinho would do a top job. And I would recommend them signing a busy central midfielder to complement Diarra and Gago in the middle. Michael Essien is out of reach, but Gattuso, De Rossi, and Lucho Gonzalez are all excellent options, ESPECIALLY Lucho. Emerson, although looking visibly aged, is still an experienced winner, and if he stayed, would be an important member of the squad.

So tell me, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CHANGES SHOULD BE AT REAL THIS SUMMER?