The 2009 summer transfer window in Europe was dominated by Real Madrid’s campaign to capture many of the world’s top players. Old habits die-hard. Madrid President Florentino Pérez began his second term the same way he spent his first, by building a superstar roster of Galácticos that he believes will allow Madrid to win trophies. The flashy headlines from last summer included ‘Kaká to Real Madrid for £60 million!’ and three days later ‘£80 million sends Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid!’. Throw in the £30 million each for Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso and other teams found themselves helpless to compete with Madrid for the top players.
The La Liga standings has Madrid in second place and in trouble in the UEFA Champions League trailing 1-0 to French club Lyon heading into the second match of their two-legged matchup.
The majority of the attention last summer was spent looking at the players Madrid bought and little focus was given to who they sold. Let’s take a look at the best 2009 summer acquisition in Europe, Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan. Inter were able to acquire Sneijder for around £12.75 million. Inter are in first place in Serie A, well on their way to another league trophy. Even more impressive is that they hold a 2-1 advantage heading into the second match of their UEFA Champions League matchup with Chelsea, who sit first place in the Premiership. Although the second half of the matchup will be a tough outing played at Stamford Bridge March 16, Inter need only a draw to advance to the next round of the most prestigious club competition in Europe. At this point you are thinking, ‘yeah but Inter have many great players, what’s so special about Sneijder?’.
Inter are undefeated this year when he plays. Including games from all competitions, Sneijder has played 24 games for Inter this year and they haven’t lost one. Sneijder has been a talisman this year at Inter, quickly establishing a cult-like following among the Nerazzurri faithful. He is a true attacking midfielder; he can score, pass, and is deadly on free kicks. Lets compare the £12.75 million Sneijder to the players that Madrid brought in to replace him in the midfield: £80 million Ronaldo and £60 million Kaka. Ronaldo has played 20 games with Madrid and has lost three matches, while Kaka has played 26 games with Madrid and lost five times. Overall Madrid are having a respectable year, and Ronaldo and Kaka are having good seasons, but Sneijder has been more valuable to his team and he cost a fraction of the price.
Both Inter Milan and Real Madrid have Champions League glory as the top priority for this season so the second half of the ‘round of 16’ knockout fixtures will decide which team is having a more successful year. Watch Real Madrid take on Lyon, March 10 and Inter take on Chelsea, March 16.
