Benzema, the new Galatico and its many implications

Oh well... what can you say? Karim Benzema couldn't resist the temptation of playing for an all-star outfit and has chosen to pledge his future to Real Madrid, who has bought their third Galatico of the season.

With Benzema's arrival, Real Madrid has an overwhelming forward line that could be played as the first eleven, Robben, Van der Vaart, Raul, Ronaldo, Kaka, Huntelaar, Higuain, Saviola, van Nistelrooy and Benzema. How do you fit all these players into the starting eleven? I really don't know. It is disgusting but I presume exciting for all Real Madrid fans.

To me, it reeks of bad taste and worse business sense. Benzema's arrival effectively should mean the end of the Dutch pair van Nistelrooy and Huntelaar. Huntelaar didn't even got a chance to prove himself at Real Madrid. Poor Huntelaar was deemed the future of Holland's football, the next Van Basten if you will have it. How is he going to develop his game with so many vying for the position he plays in? Time to move on Huntelaar. Man Utd will be monitoring his impending decision.

There also goes the playing role of Raul Gonzalez, the symbol of loyalty to the Real Madrid cause. Where do you fit Raul in a forward line boasting Ronaldo, Kaka and Benzema? I don't think the veteran will be given a starting place, even though he had a good season. Time to retire, Raul? Maybe a last big payout at the expense of Man City looks like a better and sensible way to end his glittering career.

Is Ribery the next Galatico? I struggle to make sense of it. Real is increasingly walking down a fine line. What is happening is that they are going to create a heavy backlash from football fans all over the world (except for their own of course). Mark my words, all these marketing money that Real Madrid thinks will fall into their lap is not going to come unless the team plays an attractive brand of football and win all the major competitions at the same time. The thing is, its not going to be that simple at all to do both. Barcelona is still the strongest team around after one year of success under Pep Guardiola. If you are interested at all, they happen to be my new favourite team in the Primera Liga, and I believe the new favourite for every anti-Real Madrid fan. I hope they flatten Real's ego and win the Liga again.

I am anti-establishment and anti-fantasy teams. Believe it or not, it is not jealousy. It is my belief that this mentality of money could buy you success in football is wrong and very wrong indeed. My deepest hope for the new season is that Real Madrid will crumble under their own pressure and that this will show the world that fantasy teams remain as only possibilities in the game of Championship Manager.