Madrid to unveil Real brat

By European Football
January 3 2006

Real Madrid are expected to unveil the signing of Antonio Cassano from Roma this afternoon. Cassano while a player of exquisite talent has an unerring ability for picking a fight in an empty room and there are already fears that he will find in difficult to settle in the cauldron that is Madrid.

However should he settle Madrid’s gain may also be Italy’s for there is little doubt that a fit and happy Cassano, is an addition any side would be happy to have, and an addition that the Italian national side arguably need should they have any hopes of winning the next world cup.

Every great side needs a genius, and Cassano can certainly be that, but like most people touched by genius he has his faults (and I am not just talking about his complexion here). Trouble had followed Cassano wherever he has went acting like a wilful two year old has hardly helped his cause.

But his vision and touch still make him for my money one of the most exciting talents in world football and perhaps with Madrid he can find a stage for his talents.

He is expected to sign a deal that will take him until 2010 and that is worth around €4 million (£2.5 million) a season, with Madrid forking out €5 million (£3.3 million) which shows a hell of a drop on the 20 million pound Roma paid for Cassano 5 years ago.