Newcastle Consider Metzelder Move

[Pat Murphy]

German media report claims that Borussia Dortmund defender Christoph Metzelder will join Real Madrid in the summer.

The 26-year-old Germany international rejected a new contract offer from BVB earlier this week and Real Madrid would now appear to be in the driving seat for his services.

According to German daily Bild, Metztelder and his agent were in Munich on Tuesday to negotiate with Real bosses ahead of their Champions League clash with Bayern.

Bild claims that the injury-prone defender has already passed a medical with the Spanish giants and will put pen-to-paper on a lucrative four-year deal at the Bernabeu as soon as final contract details have been agreed.

However, the player's agent Jorg Neubauer has attempted to play down the news and insists that no deal has, as yet, been finalised with any team.

"We are still negotiating with interested clubs but there is nothing certain yet," Neubauer stated.

"There are important European teams interested in him, but we have not yet taken any decision."

from Sky Sports

Real seem to be planning for next season already. Schuster will probably replace Capello, Alexis will probably come in and a big money signing is probably expected.

[Pat Murphy]

Thomas Doll has confirmed Christoph Metzelder is leaving Borussia Dortmund to join Real Madrid.

The Germany international has been strongly linked with a move to Real for several months after rejecting a new contract with Dortmund.

Metzelder has opted against renewing his deal with the Bundesliga club and hinted at a switch to the Bernabeu last month.

BVB coach Doll has now revealed he is chasing a replacement for the centre-half, due to the impending move to Real.

"We are searching for a central defender to replace Christoph Metzelder, who is leaving for Real Madrid," Doll told German television station DSF.

With Metzelder expected to join Real on a free transfer, he will challenge the likes of Fabio Cannavaro and Sergio Ramos for a spot on the side.

from Sky Sports

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Since my post above Capello has turned the team around and Alexis (currently Getafe) has already signed for Valencia for £4m

Can't really get more confirmation than that in bold tho. Metzelder will be Real's third CB after Ramos and Cannavaro (who has promised to stay next season) and is an injury prone replacement for their injury prone former CB Woodgate.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Metzelder will be a good cover for Cannavaro and Ramos.It could also happen that Capello will use Ramos on right back and play Cannavaro and Metzelder in the centre.Then all can play.

[LAF]

I can see it being... Ramos-Cannavaro-Metzelder-M.Torres

[Mighty T.A.L.]

If Real Madrid can get Heinze also the defense will be completed.

[Oliver_Kahn]

From what I've seen this season, Heinze would be Torres' sub

[Pennywise]

I think Heinze will be a fiasco for Real Madrid in La Liga, if he shall arrive to Madrid.

Better to play Marcelo then, and Torres-Bravo as backup. Marcelo is already in the Brazilian nationalteam and they've compared him as the new Carlos in playing style. But maybe he is too fresh for Real Madrid since Capello not are using him.

Heinze is a freekick player. Arms and legs is overall and positioning isn't his strong side. He has not impressed me the last matches for ManUtd either and in La Liga he'll get bigger challenge.


Sergio Ramos has perhaps been the best central defender in Europe this season. Almost MoM every match for Real Madrid and is perhaps Madrid's most popular and valued player. He is only 21 and is regular both for Madrid and Spain. And he belongs to the Central defend, and not rightback.

Metzelder is a great buy. He is a German nationalplayer, Dortmunds best defender/player and has a lot of experience. He is also offensive and has a great foot. And he coast Madrid nothing.

Madrid need three central defenders in topclass, and I think Metzelder will accept the bench too. The season is long and he'll get time on the pitch anyway.

[LAF]

Hahahaha Ramos hasn't even played CB all season so how can he be the best? Matrix, Vidic and Carvalho are much better than him.

He isn't even the best CB in Spain.

Also I don't get what you have against playing Ramos at RB. He plays best there.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Argentinians adapts the Spanish league very well.I guess Heinze will settle fast in Real Madrid.

[Pennywise]

Originally Posted by LAF

Hahahaha Ramos hasn't even played CB all season so how can he be the best? Matrix, Vidic and Carvalho are much better than him.

He isn't even the best CB in Spain.

Also I don't get what you have against playing Ramos at RB. He plays best there.

I really got surprised with this inlay from you, LAF !

"hahahahaha" - "MUCH better than Ramos"

Ramos has played 90 % or something as CB this season and has been a giant for Real Madrid in the defence. He has been the boss and Cannavaro, Helguera, Carlos, Torres, Cicinho can't even reach him to his stomach.

I can't even remember a match where he has played under level and he is Madrid's best and important player almost every match.

How many matches with Madrid and Ramos have you seen this season ????

A big reason why Real Madrid is at 1st at the moment in La Liga.

Again, he is still 21 years old and is Spains best defender + hottest player at the moment. And IMO in Europe.

"Carvalho, Matrix, Vidic are Much better defenders than him" This sentence put an questionmark with your skills inside football, Mr.LAF...but you may used some irony.

I respect your opinions of course, but to say this is a bit laughable if you have seen and followed all these players in action this season.

Yes, Matrix, Carvalho, Vidic, Ferdinand, etc etc... are all great defenders and done a great season....but Ramos is actually more over than under them. And please give me the best CB in La Liga...and don't even think about mention Puyol in front of him this season.

[LAF]

I see you've taken what I've said as a personal thing, it isn't.

I have actually watched alot of Madrid this season (although not so much this month).

Ramos is good, I'm not saying he's not but to say he's best in the world is crazy. I doubt anybody would disagree with me on this forum (bar you and a few other biased Madrid fans).

Trust me I wasn't going to mention Puyol, he's been pish. When I've seen Javi Navarro play he's impressed me (he takes no prisoners). Also Gabriel Milito.
What about Helguera he was very good for you before he got put on the bench.

Also isn't it strange that Madrid are conceding like crazy recently since Ramos has played CB.

[Pennywise]

Originally Posted by LAF

I see you've taken what I've said as a personal thing, it isn't.

I have actually watched alot of Madrid this season (although not so much this month).

Ramos is good, I'm not saying he's not but to say he's best in the world is crazy. I doubt anybody would disagree with me on this forum (bar you and a few other biased Madrid fans).

Trust me I wasn't going to mention Puyol, he's been pish. When I've seen Javi Navarro play he's impressed me (he takes no prisoners). Also Gabriel Milito.
What about Helguera he was very good for you before he got put on the bench.

Also isn't it strange that Madrid are conceding like crazy recently since Ramos has played CB.

Nothing personally at all. I'm just very shocked when it comes to your opinions. I am very critical when it comes to Real Madrid as club and their players. But Sergio Ramos, together with Casillas and RvN, has been oustanding this season and Sergio Ramos has dominated the Real Madrid defence as Canna has been a schoolboy.The last months, he has been oustanding and a big reason why Madrid are 1st in the league.

Ramos best in the world? I wrote that he has perhaps been the best CB in Europe this season...and he has. When you're 21 and has been Real Madrid and La Ligas best defender this season, you are top quality and almost none error on the list. Come on, you've seen Madrid this season, he has been oustanding and totally worldclass the last months.

You also wrote that Vidic, Carvalho and Matrix are MUCH better. I hope you see that this is bullshit.

Javi Navarro and Millito - GREAT defenders - but far away from good as Ramos has been. Helguera...? He is not even top 10 of CBs in La Liga this season.

After this season, Ramos will be on 'team of the year' in every single newspaper in Spain. He will also perhaps be Madrids most valued footballer and still play regular for Spain and Real Madrid as a keyplayer. He is just 21 and will only grow.

He is definitively the best CB in La Liga this season, and top three in Europe. All people that have watched Madrid this season will say the same - just ask the Barcelona fans in here...Path Murphy for example.

Its very hard and uncomprehending to use so "strong and wrong words" as you did. Its like saying that Kaka, Ronaldinho and Lampard have been MUCH better than C.Ronaldo this season.

[kyan]

Ramos has been fantastic for Real this season, even when Real were playing crap he looked like one of the few who was playing well and giving his all. He's incredible going forward and defending and i'm disappointed we didn't buy him. He still gets caught out sometimes though but that's because of a lack of experience...

He isn't currently the best, but he will be one of the best one day.

[LAF]

I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one.

I will agree Ramos has been very good this season.

Originally Posted by kyan

Ramos has been fantastic for Real this season, even when Real were playing crap he looked like one of the few who was playing well and giving his all. He's incredible going forward and defending and i'm disappointed we didn't buy him. He still gets caught out sometimes but that's because of a lack of experience...

He isn't currently the best, but he will be one of the best one day.

Yeah that's why he isn't the best yet. THE best is too strong a word Pennywise mate.