Of buying, selling and injuries
Last pick
Real Madrid is done with the transfer market. Real’s DG, Jorge Valdano, revealed yesterday that Mesut Özil is the final summer recruit for the club, therefore putting an end to our transfer transactions. Speaking at the official unveiling of Özil, Valdano clearly stated that the club’s movement in the summer transfer market is now closed. He said:
We have now closed the signings for this coming season. We have made a great effort to rejuvenate the team and we are very pleased to complete this objective.
However, Valdano admitted that they will have to sell players between now and the time when the transfer window closes, saying that they “must streamline the workforce and this will be done in the coming days”. When asked whether Real would want to add another striker to the squad as there were only two specialized strikers in the 26-man squad, Valdano said that the second striker position would be filled in by the likes of Canales, Ronaldo and the former Bremen man Özil and that Mourinho himself had not asked for one.
Jose Mourinho has worked with players from the quarry during the pre-season and is very comfortable with them. He is also very pleased with the completion of the signing of Özil.
At no time had he asked the club for a striker. With the arrival of Özil, we have a player who can play in different positions.
But he insisted that none of the Spanish players will be sold because of the restriction imposed on clubs by the federation. He said:
We have 26 players right now, so we need to lighten the squad and it will happen in the coming days. This position does not affect the Spanish players currently on our books.
Adán press conference
Antonio Adan is facing with great motivation one of the most important challenges in his career. The goalkeeper addressed the media following this morning’s training session.
"Mourinho has the ability to make every single player in the squad feel special and worthy"
Mourinho:
Mourinho has already proven he is an excellent coach. When a team wins it is because it has something special. What’s special here is Mourinho’s winning character, which is transmitted to the players. His closeness has also surprised us. He has the ability to make every single player in the squad feel special and worthy. This motivation is shown in the training sessions. He counts on the academy players and he was present in all of the presentations that have concerned the academy teams this preseason.
Training:
The coach wants us to do our best during the entire ninety minutes. We work very intensively to make things difficult for Mourinho.
Ozil:
Ozil joins Real Madrid after proving his worth in the World Cup. He has great potential and great room for improvement.
Özil to Realmadrid.com
Mesut Ozil had his first interview with the Club’s official media following his first training session as a Real Madrid player.
"I am anxious to prove my worth with Real Madrid"
How was your first training with Real Madrid like?
It was great. I met the entire team and the coach. I am very happy to be here. It seems they have a lot of fun. The weather is also nice, which makes training even more pleasant.
Tell us what you did on your first day as a Real Madrid player.
I left from Dusseldorf airport very early and I arrived in Madrid at 11:00. I didn’t have much time to rest, but I’m glad I’ve already attended my first session. This team and the Club are the best. Everything I’ve seen so far is positive and it makes me even happier to have made the decision to come here. I’ve simply had a good experience.
Other European clubs also wanted to sign you. Why did you choose Real Madrid?
I think Real Madrid are the best team in the world and they have some of the world’s best players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and many more. I am delighted to be here with them. I am also proud to have a coach like Jose Mourinho want me on this team. That’s the real reason I’m here. He is one of the best coaches in the world. It is a privilege to be able to work with him. I am anxious to start.
You talked to Mourinho before you came here and you had a chance to speak to him during your first training session. Did you also talk to your new team-mates?
I spoke with Mourinho about what he wants me to do on this team. He wanted me here and that’s why I came. I’ve been in touch with Sami Khedira through SMS, but he is the only player I know here. I met the rest on my first day at work.
What did Khedira tell you?
He told me he wanted me to come here. He also said the Club is fantastic and that the weather is very nice here in Madrid. He mentioned that all the players are very nice and that he was having a great time. Now that I’m here I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I am very happy to be here and I had a great time with my new team-mates during training.
You are already a world class player at just 21 years of age. Tell us what sort of player you are…
It’s hard to answer that. I’d say I’m very fast with the ball. I have good touch on ball and I’d also say I’m strong from a technical point of view. I like teamwork. Everyone who knows how I play and has seen me perform knows I can do much. I am very happy to be able to prove my worth as a Real Madrid player. I want people to be entertained as they watch me play.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak