Presentation of Sneijder and Drenthe

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Followed Sneijder at Ajax.

He's a great player.

And just what Real Madrid need.

But, I honestly think Rafael van der Vaart would have been a better buy.

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Ajax have admitted that they will miss Wesley Sneijder but that they could not deny him the chance to play for Real Madrid.

The Dutch club were keen to hold on to one of their stars, but after the Spanish outfit raised their offer to €27m the move was sanctioned.

Technical Director, Martin van Geel, said that Ajax could not prevent Sneijder from making such a glmaorous move and were proud that one of their youth team products warranted such a fee.

"It's a terrible shame to lose one of our best players just before the very important qualifying matches in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League," he explained.

"At the same time we couldn't deny Wesley Sneijder this chance and we're proud that one of our home-trained players is going to an absolute top European club for a very large amount of money."

Sneijder revealed that his desire to move to the Bernabéu had been a factor in the club's decision to agree to the huge deal and he was now relishing playing for Madrid.

"I am just a little bit nervous and tense because Real Madrid is the greatest club in the world, but after everything has been solved I am very happy," he told AS:

"I wanted to be a Real Madrid player and this desire has become reality."

Madrid originally offered €24m, but were told to come back with an offer of €30m by Ajax or he would play in their Champions League qualifier in midweek.

The Spanish outfit met the Amsterdam side halfway and a fee of €27m was agreed, leaving Ajax with the task of quickly finding Sneijder's replacement.

Goal.com - Real Madrid - Ajax Sad, Sneijder Delighted About Madrid Move

[skeeta]

This may well be the most remarkable transfer of the entire close season.

Was Valencia CF or anyone else willing to pay half of that for Sneijder? My guess is that Schuster thinks that he will be able to get the most out of him, having once been a "mercurial" midfield maestro himself, but the fee is genuinely shocking. So is the five year contract.

[Pennywise]

Wesley Sneijder:


Which position do you feel more comfortable in? Where do you feel you can help the team more?
I feel more comfortable behind the striker, but I want to play anywhere in midfield. I have to earn a spot first.
How have you been received in Madrid? How do you feel?
People gave me a wonderful welcome, which proves I made the right decision. The signing of the contract and the presentation were spectacular. I am delighted with the Club.

Have you talked to Van Nistelrooy about how to learn Spanish?
I want to learn the language as soon as possible because I believe it will help me integrate. I will ask Van Nistelrooy for advice, being that he's learned the language very quickly.



How do you feel in Madrid?
I feel very well. People gave me a very warm welcome, which proves this is a very important entity.

You are the third Dutchman on the team, while Barcelona have none left...
Real Madrid seem to be leading at this for the moment... The Dutch players at Real Madrid will do a good job and help the team earn victories.

Robben may be the Club’s next signing. What would you tell him to try and force his way out of Chelsea? His signing for Real Madrid is taking ages...
I’m not the right person to meddle in this. Robben is a great player to play with on the Dutch national team and, who knows, maybe we end up playing together here.

You said you would like to play as an attacking midfielder, which would make you compete for the spot with Guti... There’s always rivalry on teams and that is good because it makes us players do better. No one has earned a spot at the start of the season. We must fight for it and I am ready to do that.

You are used to winning titles... Which title would you like to win the most with Real Madrid?
I haven’t won that many titles, and those I’ve won are Dutch, such as the Super Cup and others. I would like to win many titles here in Spain.

Real Madrid need a player in the position you normally play in. Have you realised yet that you are going to be the team’s playmaker, which is the same as being the most important man on the pitch?
Let’s not exaggerate. I’m going to have to work very hard to earn a spot on the starting eleven. That’s what I’m going to focus on at first.

Do you think you have chances of being a starter on Sunday against Sevilla?
As far as I know, the coach wants me to play.

What do Dutch players have that others don’t to get Real Madrid so interested in signing some?
I’m not the person who should answer that. You should ask the person who signs them. I don’t know what Dutch players have that others don’t

[Pennywise]

Royston Drenthe:

Would it annoy you to play as a left back?
I will do what I'm told; I have no preference. The coach is the boss and I will try to do what he asks of me.
What has impressed you the most since you arrived?
Being surrounded by so many people. That was very exciting; it is always nice to feel loved, especially by the fans of such a great Club. Every kid my age dreams about playing for Real Madrid and I am living that dream.

Is it a challenge for you to play in Roberto Carlos' position?
It is a great challenge for me to play for Real Madrid in any position, but Roberto Carlos has been a very important player in the history of this Club and I deeply respect him.



How have you felt since you landed?
Great. I feel like at home because everyone has treated me very kindly.

Have you met other members of the squad?
I met Van Nistelrooy. I had the chance to talk to him and I am sure he is going to help me.

Do you feel ready to play in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup?
As a football player I always feel ready for anything, but it's up to the coach to decide if I play or not. I am prepared to withstand the great pressure of being a Real Madrid player.

[Pennywise]

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Nice one, thanks for the pics.

Do you think you have chances of being a starter on Sunday against Sevilla?
As far as I know, the coach wants me to play.

I'm keen to see how's he gonna do in debut.

[LAF]

Originally Posted by skeeta

This may well be the most remarkable transfer of the entire close season.

Was Valencia CF or anyone else willing to pay half of that for Sneijder? My guess is that Schuster thinks that he will be able to get the most out of him, having once been a "mercurial" midfield maestro himself, but the fee is genuinely shocking. So is the five year contract.

Hehe not a fan then.

I agree about the price. But I think Madrid are desperate for signings at the moment and Ajax knew this and asked for over the odds (well over).
Anyway Sneijder is half the player van Der Vaart is.

[Pennywise]

€27 million is much money but not surprising when you see what the the sums inside football have become.

Hargreaves transfer were the biggest shock this summer, and the clubs have spend money as never before, espesially in UK and Spain.

Its difficult to sign in good players today too since most of the clubs not are dependent to sell, because they've rich owners or good economy, as I have said sometimes now and I reckon we'll see more 'worse' sums in the coming future.

However, I'm happy that Madrid have bought a young and talented player like Sneijder. He is 23 and have been regular for Dutch and Ajax some years now and he still have a great potential. An attacking midfielder, like Madrid needed. Will he fit/develop in Spain? We just have to wait and see. Madrid have a team full of young footballers now and that's very exciting to follow. Drenthe, Sneijder, Ramos, Robinho, Higuain, Gago, Marcelo, Pepe, etc..

Valencia had perhaps bid for Sneijder too, if they had the same economic muscles as Madrid. All good players in Europe that is good enough for clubs like Real Madrid in this position - have a price tag over €25 mill today.


And IMO its too early that Sneidjer and Drenthe shall play against Sevilla coming Sunday!?

[ajvis]

Is Sneijder a playmaker?

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Originally Posted by ajvis

Is Sneijder a playmaker?

Can be called so.