Lass and Higuain – Florentino’s Chance for Redemption
Will Diarra and Higuain get respect from Perez?
The second coming of Florentino Perez should not be judged on what big name stars he brings to the Santiago Bernabeu. His ability to attract the world’s best has never been an issue of debate. Neither has his ability to generate capital for the club. Rather, any lessons the man claims to have learnt since departing the Bernabeu in disgrace back in 2006 should be judged on how he treats the less famous, yet equally important, members of the squad. I am speaking here of two players in particular – Lassana Diarra and Gonzalo Higuain.
Rewind to 2003 and the sale of Claude Makelele to Chelsea after Perez’s refusal to grant the player a pay raise in line with his obvious importance to the team. “We will not miss Makelele” boomed Perez. They did. “Younger players will arrive who will cause Makelele to be forgotten.” They didn’t. The departure of the five foot seven French defensive midfielder was considered by many as the beginning of the end for Perez and his first Galacticos project.
Fast forward to 2009. Perez is back. So are the Galacticos. So is the five foot seven French defensive midfielder. Only this time his name isn’t Claude, it’s Lassana. Lassana Diarra. Since his arrival from Portsmouth in January of this year, ‘Lass’ has established himself as a vital member of the Real Madrid team. His aggressive tackling, tireless running and intelligent all-round play have made him a squad, and fan, favourite. He is the new Makelele.
Two and a half years ago Gonzalo Higuain arrived from River Plate for a cool 13 million euros. He’s taken his time settling in to life at the Bernabeu, but it now seems to have been worth the wait. Last season he finished top scorer with 22 goals. He was also the top assist man with nine. Some of his goals were vital, too. Two stunning winners which immediately come to mind were his screamer at the death against Getafe at the Bernabeu and his tremendous solo effort away at Malaga. The France born Argentine now looks as if he will only get better and better.
Despite all his progress, his position at the club is once again under threat. Persistent rumors of a player plus cash deal involving Internazionale’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, coupled with Perez’s pursuit of a striker of similar style, in the form of Valencia’s David Villa, have thrown El Pipito’s Madrid future into doubt.
To sell the youngster at this point in his career would be a huge mistake on the part of the new regime. He may not be as refined or consistent as Villa or Ibra, but let’s remember that he spent much of last season, indeed much of his Madrid career to date, playing out of position, on the right wing. If anything, this makes his numbers all the more impressive. A switch to a preferred central striking role next season would surely see his goal tally rise. Let’s also not forget that he’s still only 21. In him, I feel that Madrid have found the new Raul.
Florentino Perez needs to demonstrate that he has learnt the lessons from his first stint as Real Madrid President. He needs to show he has learnt that buying the world’s best players does not guarantee on-field success. Instead, it is the manner in which he treats those around his Galacticos which can make the difference. In my opinion, Lassana Diarra and Gonzalo Higuain represent his best chances at redemption. It could well be how he treats these two unsung heroes of the Madrid team that determines the success of his second tenure at the Bernabeu. Time will tell if he’s indeed a changed man.
i agree so much. in fact, with kaka and cristiano ronaldo, i don’t even think we need more attacking players. i can see these two elevating the play of the likes of sneijder, robben, van der vaart.
why get villa or ibra when he have Higuain – let alone Huntelaar?
And Lassana…this man will be a Real Madrid legend if give nthe chance. I hope that Perez doesn’t lose sight of the soccer players they have already and not the ones they “need.”
I agree about Lass – he is a fantastic young player and could be vital to Real Madrid’s eventual success. But Higuain? I have watched a lot of Real Madrid games and while he works hard and scores a good number of goals, he is often redundant. I think that with Ronaldo and Kaka in Madrid and possibly another striker coming in, Higuain will become a part-timer at the club and for good reason – he sucks.
Madrid really don’t need a new striker. With Higain/Huntelaar and Ruud VanGol/Raul as backup they have already got the best striking force in the world. Spend the money buying the best defenders, not Ibrahimovic or Villa…
@ Andrei – thats a bit harsh on Gonzalo. To put his efforts of last season into perspective – he scored 22 and had 9 assists. Messi scored 23 and had 11 assists. Messi is the best in the business right now. I’m not suggesting Gonzalo is anywhere near Messi class, not yet anyway, but there can be no doubt that the kid is on the way up. Madrid need to hold into him.
totally agree…..but i think if he gets Villa..it will even benefit Heguin a lot..cuz like the writer said he is young and learning,and he should partner villa to learn from him…cuz even with all the potential he has..he is still inconsistent….needs a year or 2 to become complete…anyway if any new striker comes,they should hold on to him cuz he is the future of Madrid
@ elmerson – I knew about his numbers and I kept wondering as the season unfolded how he managed to score so many. No doubt he has some talent to be part of 31 goals in one season, but I think that he is far from Real Madrid quality – he is more of a Deigo Milito type of player. Still he has time…
Well i am a madrista for life and and i am love so much with Higuain and i really want to see him succeed in madrid cos i see him as the future of our gret club. The Likes of Huntelaar and van Nistelrooy and Raul plus Higuain should be given a chance atleast for a season since we are ndergoing a building process.Most of Higuain’s goals are personal efforts and i am sure he will explode someday. And Lass is also an important player for us.
to me personaly higuain is the best attacker because he has all wat is needed by an attacker.phisically strenght run finishing e t c nd dont forget he is still young
All this money, all these players, but mark my words: STILL NO TROPHY!
Problem: Higuain has the talent, but not enough experience
solution: LOAN HIM OUT!!!!