Real Madrid president Ramon
Calderon believes the Spanish champions will be a force to be
reckoned with next season regardless of whether they sign Cristiano
Ronaldo
he Manchester United winger has
been tracked by the Primera Liga champions all summer, with the
player himself fuelling speculation by refusing to commit his
future to the English club.
United coach Sir Alex Ferguson, who met Ronaldo for
clear-the-air talks last week, is adamant there is no chance of the
Portugal international quitting United for Spain.
But Calderon insists, even without the Portuguese, Real
will go into the new campaign with a 'complete' squad.
'We can't talk about
footballers who aren't ours,' he told Spanish
television channel Atena 3.
'I've already said several times that we have a very complete
squad, who have just won the Primera Liga.
'We built a great team last year. If we finally make some
signings, they would be few but very good.'
The Real chief claimed the Spanish side are mere spectators in
the transfer saga which has dominated the summer.
'We don't have anything to say about that issue,' he said. 'We
are only spectators, a passive observer in this whole story.
'It is the player and the club who are talking about a possible
problem, we are unconnected to all that.'
Calderon also poured scorn on suggestions unsettled Barcelona
forward Samuel Eto'o could return to Madrid.
Eto'o has been told he can leave the Nou Camp this summer, and
although he is reportedly the subject of interest from Real, it
would be a controversial move for the player who left the Bernabeu
on a sour note in 2000.
And Calderon has laughed off suggestions that the striker could
move back to Barca's bitter rivals.
'There is not an 'Eto'o case',' he added. 'I don't know where
all this came from, because moreover Barcelona, as is logical, will
not sell a player to Real Madrid.'
The few players who have moved between the arch rivals have felt
the full wrath of their former fans on their return to their old
home.
One of Barca's favourite sons, Luis Figo, caused such a stir
when he moved to Madrid he was pelted with bottles, coins, bricks
and even a pig's head on his return to the Nou Camp
