Why Angel Di Maria needs to force exit from indifferent Real Madrid
For some reason or the other, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has given the green light for tricky winger Angel Di Maria to part ways with Real Madrid. And you can just imagine the delight that is spreading around, as many of their European rivals’ eyes lit up with glee on hearing the unexpected news.
A class act with pace, power and skill to burn, last season’s Champions League winner has all the right assets to make it in any top league across the continent. But it already looks as though the choices have been narrowed down for him. In particular, the Premier League’s Manchester United and Ligue 1’s Paris Saint-Germain have both been linked with his incredible services.
According to the Mirror, there’s a fearsome war of funds going on between both teams desperate to bring him on board. But just who manages to come up with enough cash to secure his talents remains to be seen.
Arguably, PSG have more than enough in the bank to satisfy both Madrid’s transfer fee as well as his lavish sky-high wages – after all, they’re one of the wealthiest clubs in an already saturated market. But the Red Devils have their fair share of extra cash to throw at him, too.
How important is Di Maria to Real Madrid?
Amidst all the speculation as to where the incomparable Argentine should head to, however, remains the certainty of his skill and ability.
Current Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has hailed the abilities of the winger as better than even Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale:
It’s logical – he’s the best player they have. He’s the player most likely to create openings in the opposition half.
Indeed, Simeone may well have a valid point. At times last season, the 26-year-old was certainly Los Blancos’ best player, as he used his burning pace, flair and guile to cause a plethora of problems for full-backs everywhere. Building up an impressive collection of 17 assists in the league, he was top of the charts by the end of the season, helping feed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema with some intelligent passes, chips and crosses.
In essence, it’s hard to imagine how his move to either PSG or United would end in tears for him, and his European conquests would surely stand a great chance of survival at either outfit.
A reminder of his footballing brilliance comes in the form of his well-taken goal during last season’s Copa Del Rey Final against none other than their biggest rivals, FC Barcelona.
And of course there was the more recent goal he scored in the World Cup against Switzerland that booked his side’s safe passage to the quarterfinals.
His consistency to pop up with important goals, as well as his fantastic ability to continue to lay chances and goals on a plate for his team-mates both domestically and internationally underline just how versatile a player he is. Adapting to contrasting styles of play and mixing it up with different players from one level to the next is an asset that many of the top European coaches would love to have in their side. His abilities hint, rather crudely, at a penchant for success anywhere he goes.
Granted, in any heavily-laden squad, players will have their chances limited on occasion, but the apparent lack of desire on the part of Ancelotti or, indeed, club President Florentino Perez to hold on to one of their best players remains a puzzling one, indeed.
Only recently, he was involved in Real’s 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Super Copa against Atletico Madrid, his commitment to the cause unwavering as yet. But it’s difficult to see why he’ll continue to play a part in their set-up.
After all, since signing for them back in 2010, he’s made over 126 appearances, becoming a real fan favourite along the way. But since Gareth Bale arrived from Tottenham Hotspur at the beginning of last summer, Di Maria has been overshadowed. And with another big name now on the roster in the form of James Rodriguez, it’s clear Los Merengues have more than enough fire-power and big-game players to see them defend their European crown.
And it’s equally evident that, at least in the eyes of the money-men in Spain’s capital club, the Argentina international has lost some of the verve that once made him a regular sensation.
Why he will fit in at Manchester United
At Old Trafford, a club that continues to go through a difficult period of change and transition, his attributes would be celebrated and lauded week-in, week-out like never before. Arguably, Louis Van Gaal’s men need his assistance far more than their French counterparts do. They’re crying out for a star man who can resuscitate their title challenge.
In short, he could soon become a cult hero in Manchester. And all it would take for Van Gaal would be to top PSG’s bid.
With Juan Mata, new club captain Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young all failing to really take the season into their hands in the early throes, it’s clear that an injection of energy would help to eradicate the lethargic play that has taken hold in recent months.
Add this to the injury woes of the goal-grabbing Robin van Persie, the continued presence of Shinji Kagawa in the dugout instead of on the pitch and the incredibly obvious lack of any strong leaders in defence, and it’s glaringly evident they need a talisman.
The time has come for the former Rosario central midfielder to be a little bit more selfish. He deserves a club that will put him on a pedestal, and there are plenty out there ready to pounce.
Get your biro out, Angel, there are a few dotted lines you need to sign.