Rafa!

Spain now has another Rafa, except he is not Spanish. Although this name is used mainly for Nadal and Benitez in the world of sport, we might soon see it being used for Real Madrid's most recent signing- Rafael Van Der Waart. Rafa was signed from Hamburg for a measly 9 million Euro. For Hamburg this is not too bad a deal, considering if they kept him for one more year, he would have left for a cheap 1.5 million Euro due to a contract clause. Real were constantly in the foray for signing a midfielder this year, but I'm glad it is not Ronaldo. The whole Ronaldo saga has put me off, and thank goodness he will remain remain a Red Devil for at least one more year. Coming back to Rafa, his signing couldn't have been made at a better time for us. Sneijder was the victim of a not so nice tackle from Diaby in a 'friendly' against Arsenal. He remains injured for much lesser than what was expected but three months is still a lot of time. And serious injuries have been known to unsettle players. Now Rafa, at the moment is most likely to take Sneijder's place in the starting lineup, although he is looked at as a long term replacement for Guti. The dutch connection in Real adds one more member. With a midfield that boasts of him,Sneijder when he returns, and the glass-man Robben and Ruud up front, that's pretty scary for oppositions when they click. Rafa can play anywhere in the midfield, be it centre, or on either wings, or even behind the strikers in the 'hole'. Problem arises when Sneijder returns, how will the midfield look? Will Robinho be on the team? We will only have to wait and find out. Apart from his work ethic, accurate long ranged shots, free kicks and great runs from midfield, Van Der Waart also brings another thing to please us Real fans. His bride Sylvie is smoking hot, and will be present at every home game. Yay! (Google her to see what I'm talking about).