Robinho was as good as his word today, proving yet again how cynical I am, by announcing he is ‘unhappy’ at Real Madrid and does indeed still want to play for Chelsea.
Having been left out of today’s opening Primera Liga game against Deportivo, Robinho decided to call a press conference to make his case clear before the transfer window closes tomorrow night. Clearly frustrated by the mixed messages he’s received throughout the summer, Robinho stated “Since May I’ve been trying to renew my contract but they didn’t want to because they were so sure they would sign Cristiano Ronaldo. The club showed little interest in keeping me.”
Fairly honest appraisal of the situation I thought, since Real made it clear during their relentless pursuit of Ronaldo that Robinho would be dispatched with as soon as they got what they always believed they would.
However, despite publicly stating they “would never retain a player against his wishes”, Real continue to refuse Chelsea’s offers. On this, Robinho said “The situation is still the same, I want to play for Chelsea, as I have told the president, the coach and the sporting director. I want to play there – I don’t know what else I can do. Calderon said that if a good offer came in they would let me go. Chelsea have made a great effort to sign me.”
Clearly still upset at Real’s blatant attempts to court his replacement, Robinho went on “The problem is that Real did not manage to recruit. Now, because they haven’t signed anyone, they won’t let me go.” However, when asked whether he plans to strike if held at Real against his wishes, Robinho stated “No. If Schuster wants to keep an unhappy player then the responsibility is his. I want to leave, nothing more.”
Well, as expected, Real were not amused and immediately hit back at Robinho’s statements, saying “Just before an important official match, Real Madrid feels that all of its attention should be focused on the game, a criteria that has been completely ignored by its player Robinho, with the statements he made just hours before the match.” So, they’ll be wanting to see the back of him then? Apparently not, because the statement on Real’s official website continued “The club refers to an earlier statement on this matter, when it said if the player’s final decision was to unilaterally rescind his contract, we would have no option but to accept it.” Smart move, treat the player like shit, refuse every offer coming in for him and yet still manage to back away from any responsibility if he leaves.
Anyway, Real weren’t finished there because unsurprisingly, being the total hypocrites they are, it was time to have a go at the real villains here. At the end of a lengthy summer, in which amnesia has clearly set in, Real state “Real deplore the way Chelsea’s directors have acted despite knowing perfectly well the decision not to sell the player (anyone else spit their drink out at that bit?), making statements and even going so far as to sell shirts with the player’s name on through their official website.” Ok, so we all knew the shirt thing was going to bite the club on the arse eventually, but who are Real trying to kid? They even suggest “All this has done is to cloud the situation and confuse public opinion.” As if public opinion hadn’t weighed that club up a long time ago!
Not to be outdone when the handbags are flying around though, Chelsea have had their say – also via the official club website – in a statement that reads: “There is nothing wrong with publicly confirming our interest in a player when the club involved is well aware of it, has been in receipt of two bids and is negotiating to sell the player. So we completely refute any criticism from Real Madrid.” As for the unfortunate, but still quite funny matter of the shirts, Chelsea state “As for the issue regarding the website, Real are well aware this was a regrettable accident by an external supplier which was rectified as soon as it was brought to our attention and not a single shirt was sold.”
So, it’s probably fair to say there’s very little love lost between the clubs now but as entertaining as all this bitching is, it isn’t actually resolving anything. Thankfully the transfer window will be firmly closed by tomorrow night.
Who’s move is it next anyway?
Blue is the colour
