Real Madrid signs Van der Vaart?

Yes, its official … 20 mln… Real looks like a dutch team almost

answer; John Metgod?? think he was also the first dutchman to score in an FA cup final…

Posted from  Netherlands

What? I read today from a local paper that Atletico Madrid was really interested in Van der Vaart and that they wanted to buy him. But if he goes to Real instead… then I guess rooting for Real is almost the same as rooting for the Netherlands national team.

Posted from  Estonia

It was Metgod who played for Real - I think Arnie Muhren may have been the first Dutch scorer in the Cup Final, in Man U’s 4-0 replay win over Brighton in 1983.

What did Metgod stop playing for Oranje in 1983?

Posted from  United States

Wow, I can’t believe it! It’d be great to have Van der Vaart at Madrid, then almost half of our national team starters will play at Madrid. This can only be good for oranje Bad for Ferenc and other Barca fans though…

It’s like back in the day when half the Dutch team played together at club level - Ajax or Feyenoord or wherever, and then they already had great chemistry when they got together with the national team.

I still don’t know if it can be true though… Marca is terrible for making up stories. Here’s another article that says Rafael doesn’t know anything about this:

http://www.itv-football.co.uk/story/0,19239,6145_3801879,00.html

Posted from  Canada

again i was too soon in calling it official…

this is from the HSV website
” Rafael van der Vaart is currently enjoying his summer holiday with his family in sunny climbs. On Friday t (11.07.08), the HSV skipper will resume first team training, before travelling with the HSV posse to their summer training camp in Austria. The Dutch playmaker could only produce a tired smile when asked about the latest media speculation regarding his future, especially about a possible move to the Spanish club Athletico Madrid. Rafa said: “I have stated so often in the past that I feel at home in Hamburg and that I love the club. I have also said that I would only leave to join a really huge club. It seems as if nobody will or wants to listen to me. It would be nice if all the speculation surrounding my future would end. When there is anything new to say I will say it. I will resume training on Friday, and as things look at the moment, I will be a HSV player next season.”

but my feelings tell me hes gone

@Brian; ofcourse, stupid mistake i made, dont know why he stopped playing…Jan??

Posted from  Netherlands

@goose; Didnt he (john metgod) have a brother who was a goalie? Played for Sparta I think. Could be wrong though.

Posted from  United States

@Finnster; true; Edward Metgod…and indeed he played for Sparta but he started and played 10 years for Haarlem; he know is a goalie-trainer at AZ

Posted from  Netherlands

@goose. Always wondered about Metgod - he stopped playing for Oranje after the 1-0 loss to Spain in the qualifiers for Euro ‘84 (as did Krol and Hovenkamp - but considering they were pushing on a bit, it wasn’t a surprise). I presume he fell out with Kees Rijvers, and remained out of favour when Michels/Beenhaaker came along. Should have been a top player - I remember him well from his Forest and Spurs days, his career just seemed to peter out by the end.

Posted from  United States

oh man , we used to be barcelona fans as oranje fans due to the historic bond between some dutch coaches and players and barcelona. but now i ma temptedt to start being a fan of ream madrid, especially if van der vaart’s move to real becomes reality.

I hope van der Vaart doesn’t move to Madrid, because there is no space for him with Guti, Robinho, Robben, Sneijder, Raul, van Nistelrooij already playing. Robinho might be moving but still.

Posted from  Canada

Guti, Raul, and vNistelrooy are getting pretty old, and Robinho is likely to move. This leaves space for young attackers and midfields like Sneijder, Robben, Vaart, Higuain and vNistelrooy to all be in the starter. I think Robben shouldnt be a starter yet until Guti leaves, but they should sub him in every game for guti, same with higuain until raul leaves. I think Madrid should buy 1 defence, because Pepe and Ramos are good, but Heinze and Cannavaro are getting old, and putting Drenthe on would be pretty ridiculous because now it would truly be the holland team. Madrid should also sell Diara, as Gago is experienced enough to replace him completely. My ideal starter line would be:

Casillas

Ramos- Cannavaro- Pepe- New Defence
-Gago-
Vaart- - Guti
-Sneijder-
Raul Nistelrooy

So, it’s official or not? Now, there’s no Dutch player at Barca. All of Dutch NT move to Madrid :-). Only one player left, he is Huntelaar. Will he move?

Posted from  Indonesia

OMG im a fan of van der vaart and also Real Madrid!! this is awesome.. i prefer van der vaart to C.Ronaldo.. bahhhh
so glad if Rafael ever comes… =)
HALA MADRID!!

Jan - Hunter will end up at Arsenal ! or ManU !
Adebayor out Hunter In ! still have money in the bank ….

Posted from  Singapore

Abe - so which is it, is Van Nistelrooy getting pretty old or is he a young attacker?
But seriously, have Robben only as a sub for Guti? Sell Diara?? Are you sober? First, Robben and Guti play different positions, and they can/are normally both on the field at the same time. (Ideally Guti moves and Vaart replaces him, but who knows what’ll happen there). Second, Robben played fantastic for Madrid in all the games he started near the end of last season, he should remain a starter.
And you can’t sell Diara just because Gago is getting better. Even if Gago becomes your regular starter instead of Diara, they still need a back up, especially considering all the games they play in a season.

Posted from  Canada