Frank Ribery: Wing Wizard or Le Sulk?

Working within his new capacity as ambassador of Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane has been thrust into the spotlight as the clubs new spokeperson when it comes to tapping up players. Todays topic was his fellow countryman, Frank Ribery, who Zizou believes would be a cast-iron success at the Bernabeu. Let there be no doubt the guy has talent. By the bucketload. But whilst some were proclaming his world-class performance against Manchester United last night, I was left wondering why Real Madrid and Barcelona, among others, were so keen on shelling out around €50 million to secure his signature. Ok, he scored a heavily deflected free-kick, and skinned the youthful Gary Neville a couple times, but he didn't do anything that made me believe he would offer Real Madrid or Barcelona something they don't already have.



Guilty of some serious Nicola Anelka-esque sulks, he has even been overshadowed this term by Real Madrid reject, the 'Glassman' himself, Arjen Robben. If I were Florentino Perez, I'd take a break from the dangerous game of forking out huge amounts on foreign talent (for every Ronaldo there'll be a Kaka, and for every Higuain there'll be a Benzema), and focus on recruiting young Spanish creativity, in the form of David Silva and Jesus Navas. Or even give some youth from Castilla a chance. That's if indeed he believes it necessary to bolster the front line; a front line let's remember that is on course to break the 107 goal mark set by John Toshacks side in 1989/1990.