Sport 360°view: Forcing Di Maria out of Madrid is extremely risky business

Andy West 10:51 24/08/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Class act: Selling Angel Di Maria could be a regrettable decision by Madrid.

    As the new La Liga season kicks off, Real Madrid have somehow managed to sink from a state of buoyant confidence to the brink of a full-blown crisis within the space of 10 days.

    A little over a week ago, Los Blancos were the toast of Europe after easily downing Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup and looking forward to the campaign in positive spirits. On Friday night, however, Carlo Ancelotti resembled a grumpy old man as he faced the media in the wake of the 2-1 aggregate defeat against Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup.

    His chief source of irritation was the subject of Angel Di Maria, who had controversially been left out of the matchday squad amid reports that he is on the verge of a move away from the Bernabeu, most probably to Manchester United.

    Ancelotti made his discomfort known with a line which was so obviously false, it was plain he didn’t even believe himself: “It was a technical decision; I didn’t need Di Maria today.” Pull the other one, Carlo.

    After a moderate start, Di Maria was tremendous for Madrid last season. Having lost his place on the right wing to Gareth Bale, he soon found a new home in the centre of midfield, improving as the season went on to become an essential member of the starting XI.

    Notably, the Argentine reserved his best performances for the biggest occasions, scoring the opener in the Copa del Rey final triumph over Barcelona and delivering a man of the match display as Los Blancos claimed their 10th Champions League crown against Atleti.

    So why on earth are they selling him? There are two answers, and both of them are Colombian.

    Firstly, James Rodriguez is the newest Galactico following his summer move from Monaco. Galacticos do not sit on the bench and with Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo occupying the wings, the only available position for James is the centre of midfield. For the second consecutive summer, therefore, Di Maria is being shunned to accommodate a superstar signing. 

    Secondly, despite his claims to the contrary, Ancelotti is fully aware that his squad’s only desperate need is another world-class striker to compete with or replace the inconsistent Karim Benzema.

    Here appears the other Colombian: Radamel Falcao, who shares the same agent as James – Jorge Mendes – and has seemingly been on the brink of a move to the Bernabeu for the last two years.

    Benzema’s lifeless performance against Atletico made it plain how much Ancelotti would benefit from having Falcao at his disposal, but even Madrid’s coffers are not bottomless and the only way they could make another raid on 
    Monaco is by selling Di Maria.

    Ancelotti is not happy about the situation because he greatly appreciates the versatility, creativity and energy Di Maria brings. The fans are not happy either, for much the same reasons. And Di Maria is also less than delighted at being forced out of the biggest club in the world.

    It all adds up to a dangerous conclusion for club president Florentino Perez: when the dust settles and Madrid line up with James and Falcao, they had better be worth it.

    Recommended