Huntelaar v Diarra

[moby]

lol chunck


oh yeah i forgot gago. i haven't heard about him in a long time

[Tito]

Javi Garcia can fill in for Gago is anything happens to him

[Tito]

i found a subsequent article

So, the question then is: who should Madrid pick?

Location, Location, Location

First of all, we need to think positions. Lassana Diarra is, of course, primarily a defensive midfielder, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is an out-and-out striker.

Looking at the squad list as a whole, it is abundantly clear that Madrid have been crying out for another forward, and that Huntelaar could be the man they've been looking for.

True, his real capabilities are still open for discussion, but it remains the case that beyond the (admittedly much-improved) Gonzalo Higuain and the seemingly permanently ostracised Javier Saviola, there is precious little backup for the Raul-Ruud van Nistelrooy partnership - one that can be broken up all too easily by injury as the duo enter their final years. So, even if he isn't yet the finished article, or of the class of the current pair up front, he at least offers depth, not to mention a bit of European experience.

As for Diarra, his signing has raised eyebrows. True, the injury situation necessitated at least some arrival, but 'Lass' arrived at significant expense - €19m - suggesting that he may in fact be a longer-term replacement for another in midfield.

Still, he has decent Premier League pedigree and regularly lines up for the French national team, and having played at a higher standard of league than Huntelaar is a plus. However, his tendency to move clubs often hints that if he doesn't hold down a starting place for as long as he likes, he may grow unsettled - the last thing Madrid need.

Comparing the two directly, then, seems to suggest that Huntelaar might have been the more pertinent signing overall, even though Diarra fills a gap as well.

The Weak Spot

But the question as to which is better for the European challenge is a slightly different one.

Here are the players available for the CL challenge in those respective positions, with those unavailable due to long-term injury struck through.

Defensive Midfield: Mamahadou Diarra, Fernando Gago, Ruben de la Red, Javi Garcia
Striker: Raúl, Ruud van Nistelrooy*, Gonzalo Higuaín, Javier Saviola

*bearing in mind that the latest prognosis is that he can be back by April, or perhaps even March.

Suddenly the decision becomes a bit easier, and not just due to depth. Remember, Javi Garcia has been off form so far this season, while Fernando Gago, while an accomplished player, is arguably not the type who can marshal a defensive midfield alone, but rather can do so best when alongside someone else to whom he can spring a pass. Diarra fits the mould here.

Meanwhile up front the four forwards are all available for the later stages of the competition, and with Higuaín (finally) proving in 2008 that he can hit the back of the net with regularlity, it's not as drastic as it could be even with Ruud out for the first two knockout games.

And remember that Madrid's main problems this season have been not offensive but defensive: their tally of 34 league goals scored is more than respectable; their total of 26 conceded is not, given that only Sporting and Mallorca have proved leakier! And since we're talking about Europe, it bears repeating that Madrid have managed continental clean sheets so far this season only against BATE (twice) and Zenit (once.) Juventus scored past them with ease - four times, in fact. Surely a well-balanced midfield will remedy this, even if partially

So, although Diarra is perhaps the less pedigreed of the two, his is the more vital immediate influence.

Touch Of Class

And on that subject, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's European experience isn't exactly ideal.

While his UEFA Cup goalscoring record is nothing short of excellent - 16 goals in 26 appearances in that competition - he has managed a slightly lower ratio of 3 in 6 in the Champions League. Now, that in itself is a fine tally, but let's bear in mind the opposition. One goal against Inter on his debut did not set the tone for what followed as he failed to steer his team past the likes of Copenhaven and Slavia Prague, neither of whom are continental giants. In other words, even though Huntelaar has the predatory instinct that Madrid need, whether or not it will be immediately on show is anyone's guess.

As for Diarra? Well, he may have done less at European level, but given that he's already played more than ten games on the continent and also has experience in the Premier League, it's hard to deny that he hasn't at least a fighting chance of making the step up.

This, combined with the immediate need for injury cover, leads me to believe that Diarra is the right man for Madrid in Europe. Huntelaar, while likely to be proved to be a good signing eventually, must wait his turn.

So, that's my take on it. Meanwhile it is rumoured that Juande wants Diarra, while Mijatovic would prefer Huntelaar.

to me it look like they would prefer Diarra (the writer of the article of course)

[^_^]

Madrid desperately needs firepower upfront :nopity:

[soccer-fanatic]

I life in the Netherlands so I watched Huntelaar every weekend. He's great in finishing and choosing position. But he has a lot of competition at Real. Higuain, Raul, Van Nistelrooy (maybe next season).

[Tito]

Diarra has been chosen by Madrid