Comments on: Fun while it lasted

By: Juliet

Juliet — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:06:26 +0000

That’s a decent price for a player who, if I’ve got this right, could’ve left for nothing or nearly nothing next season. We’ll miss the talent in the league, but at least the saga is finally *over* and we can get back to the football.

By: Tamim

Tamim — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:12:43 +0000

who needs vdv while zidan is here!!!!……just kidding!!!

By: diana

diana — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:25:31 +0000

‘Now he and Sneijder can be roommates.’
Considering Sneijder had said before that he will welcome Rafael at Real and it will be ‘beautiful’ if he comes…yeah.

What Sneijder told German sports magazine kicker last week – http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/germany/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed/08/07/31/SOCCER_Spa-Real_Madrid_Sneijder.html&TEAMHD=germany

Come to think of it now, it used to be Barcelona having a strong Dutch connection when it comes to people like Johan Cyruff and the like who play their club football in Spain. But now the Dutch connection is featured more prominently at Barcelona’s biggest rivals.

By: Corey

Corey — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:10:50 +0000

Thank you for your player, he will be greatly appreciated.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:26:54 +0000

Jan, you are correct–the total deal is for €15m, with €13m to HSV and €2m to Ajax.

I was surprised by Atouba’s play over the weekend–he seemed to be playing for his job, but it wasn’t enough. He was still prone to turning the ball over.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:46:01 +0000

They need a top striker. Guerrero missed too many chances over the weekend and Olic can’t do it alone. Zidan played well in his opportunities, but I see him more as a guy coming off the bench. The will need a midfielder who can score too. The matches over the weekend were entertaining to watch–good to see HSV press the attack.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:39:52 +0000

Such a build-up to this one, and then it happens with something of a whimper. Decent price, though, considering VdV all but begged to be let go. Now he and Sneijder can be roommates.

By: Jan

Jan — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:21:13 +0000

I think those €13m are already minus Ajax’ share, so the transfer is worth roughly €15m and Hamburg could earn another €2m depending on Real’s performance in the future. That’s an OK price considering the circumstances.

I heard Hamburg have been brokering a deal with a young Argentinian defender from Boca Juniors. The player is valued €10m and Hamburg want to pay €6m for 60% of the transfer rights. Though this deal seems to be independent from the vdV deal and has more to do with Atouba leaving the club.

Will be interesting to see which names will pop up now in the rumor sections. I guess a midfield talent and a good striker would be the ideal replacements.