Chapter 92: Inviting Pirri
"You have to believe me, I'm not just flattering you. I genuinely think your evaluations are incredibly accurate. Take Anelka, for example—his talent and ability are undeniable. Even if he changes teams every year, he will still perform well, score plenty of goals, and receive widespread praise... But his personality is a disaster. Sure, he's professional, with no off-field controversies, but he's too introverted—so much so that no one can truly connect with him. And his two idiot brothers keep pushing him to transfer. He's a financial success, making a fortune from every move, but he'll never be a great footballer. Constantly drifting from club to club will prevent him from achieving any real honors. Football, after all, is not a one-man sport."
"You think so too?" Pirri's eyes lit up with excitement.
Ever since the infamous Pirri Report was exposed, he had faced widespread ridicule. Even Real Madrid fans mocked him. They believed Geremi was a solid addition to the squad, that McManaman—who had scored in the Champions League final—was a perfect fit, especially since he arrived on a free transfer. Morientes had also netted in that final, while Anelka had been a flop for an entire season. And yet, Pirri had dared to claim that Anelka was outstanding...
But now, José was saying that his analysis was spot-on!
For a moment, Pirri even suspected that José was mocking him. But as he listened closely, he realized José was completely serious—there was no hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"Take McManaman, for example. He was great for Madrid last season, but no matter what, an Englishman's technical ability won't give him an advantage in Spain. Sure, he's a skillful player by English standards, but he doesn't have a real edge here. His success last season was largely due to Redondo's support. Now that Figo is joining and Redondo is leaving, McManaman's performances will take a huge hit. As for Morientes, he's an excellent striker, but his body is fragile, and his confidence has been steadily declining. He might shine for a while, but as long as his physical condition remains unreliable, his peak moments will become increasingly rare."
José continued analyzing Madrid's players, even those Pirri hadn't evaluated in his report.
Savio: A brilliant winger, but Roberto Carlos' presence will limit his space, making it harder for him to perform well.Solari: Likely to become a super-sub.Makélélé: Madrid's backbone. Without Redondo, Makélélé's defensive skills will be irreplaceable.Salgado: If he can maintain his form, great. But if he declines or gets injured, he'll deteriorate quickly.Helguera: Needs to decide if he's a defensive midfielder or a center-back; otherwise, his future will be uncertain.Figo: Outstanding—he will live up to his price tag.
José wasn't just speaking off the cuff. His insights were based on both his observations and the players' future performances. His words hit the mark, leaving Pirri increasingly astonished. Their perspectives aligned on most points, with only minor disagreements.