In these days of PR sophistication, public figures get extremely well-drilled on what to say – and particularly what not to say – when it comes to important public addresses.
So it seems unlikely that Rafa Benitez was acting impulsively when he let slip that Real Madrid admire Raheem Sterling.
He may of course have simply been giving his opinion on the matter. But, having managed Liverpool and having been utterly adored by the fans, it’s hard to imagine that he would have put the Reds fans’ noses further out of joint unless he had an vested interest in the lad’s future.
To recap, in his opening address, the new Real Madrid boss said, when asked about Sterling:
“We admire Raheem, that’s no secret – but he is not one of our players so I can’t really comment on him.”
The big question is where a player like him would fit into the side. At just 20 years of age he might be happy to start not the bench and work his way up. But given the amount of interest in the lad, he would probably expect to start at his new club.
So that means that one of Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema and Rodriguez will have to make way – they currently occupy the four creative positions in the side.
There has been huge speculation about the futures of all of them but Rodriguez. If Sterling did join the club perhaps Benzema would be the most likely victim, with Ronaldo taking the central striking role and Bale taking the flank.
But it’s an interesting one and the future of the lad seems anything but solved.
Real Madrid fans: is he good enough for the first team?
