What does the future hold for Real Madrid?

I'm guessing most of you have seen the news this morning surrounding Real Madrid and, more specifically, Raul and his departure from the club that has nurtured him since his youth. This, coupled with the departure of Guti to Besiktas on Sunday, leaves just Iker Casillas as the sole survivor from the Real Madrid squad that last won the Champions League back in 2002 when the great Zinedine Zidane scored a goal fitting to win any game.

Since Jose Mourinho was bought in too take over the reigns at the worlds most famous club, Real Madrid have since bought one so called 'Galactico' in the form of Angel Di Maria from Benfica who may be a good player but, in my opinion, is some standard below the massive merchandising bracket that accomodates names such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka. In fact, gone are the days when Florentino Perez would buy a player just for the name. I remember the days of Ronaldo, Figo, Zidane, Beckham and the rest and I don't know about you, but Di Maria doesn't quite live up to the name tag of previous Galactico's. For all I know, I could be proved wrong by this (Di Maria is only 22 has has mass potential and sell on value if need be)

Since Mourinho took over, Real Madrid have been particularly quiet in this transfer window with Di Maria the only signing made to date in the Summer transfer window (Sergio Canales may have only just joined but was signed back in January). Yet with Madrid continuing to be linked to the likes of Ashley Cole, Maicon and Steven Gerrard, who knows what could happen between now and September 1st. In my opinion, the most likely of these to go through will be Maicon as Mourinho worked with him at Inter and the Spanish game would be suited to his overall attacking game. I wouldn't put it past Gerrard to move there either as we all know he played his best when working with Xabi Alonso pulling the strings from centre midfield where this almost got Liverpool a league title in the 08/09 season. I can't see Cole moving there unless it was money motivated however, he wouldn't be the player he is today if it wasn't for Mourinho so who knows.

One thing that is certain is that it seems Perez has learnt from his previous mistakes of signing players for the sheers hell of it otherwise we would see a mass influx of players who played fantastically well at the World Cup and players for the purpose of selling shirts. We all know Mourinho will be careful in the market and sign players good for the squad not for the wallet. Therefore, Maicon and Ashely Cole would be very good signings if they were to be completed. In my opinion, Cole and Maicon make up 2 of the top 3 full backs in the world (with Lahm being the other) so either side of Pepe and Sergio Ramos in front of Casillas would be a world class defence to say the least.

Therefore, I feel for footballing reasons, Maicon and Cole would be the best two players for Mourinho to purchase but we all won't know who he is going to sign apart from the Special One himself. All I, and a lot of people, know is that the old guard has most definitely been shipped out of Madrid with the King of Spain relinquishing his throne for future stars to play there part.

For now, I will leave you all to it. Will write again when I get a chance.

Laters,

Macca