BY: BASSAM DGHEIM
Malaga Club de Futbol. If you follow La Liga, this is a team that you have heard loads of news about in the past couple of months. And no, its not because they won the league. It’s not because they got relegated. It’s not because they went into administration (but then again, that’s normal in La Liga now a days). The reason why you heard about Malaga is because they have had an eventful and quite positive transfer window. That is a feat that few La Liga teams can claim to have accomplished.
A club with little history to put to its name, and just 20 La Liga appearances in its little over 60 year presence. An InterToto cup sits all alone in a cabinet that needs cleaning right about now. It stands firm and tall. All seems to be changing for the Andalucian outfit though. The reason is that middle east oil money has decided to invest in the team. Sheikh Abdallah al Thani, a Qatari based Busseiness man decided to buy Malaga CF in June of 2010. Aside from the several horses that Wikipedea claims he owns, its safe to say that Sheikh Abdallah is turning Malaga into his little own “baby”.
When you hear the word sweet, you directly think: CANDY. When you hear Middle East investors in A European football club, you think: Man City. It is no surprise to anyone to know that since its take over in 2008, Man city has been the most active club in the transfer market. And by the by, that’s saying a lot considering Real Madrid went out and spent 250 + million just 2 years ago. Man City and their new owners spent little time making a name for themselves in Europe.
First step they took? Buying and buying and buying. It was as if you started a new game on Football Manager, and in the editor mode, you set your transfer budget to 1 billion dollars. You then start the game and go on a shopping spree, buying every player your heart desires for double his actual price. The first sign of “insensible” buying was the purchase of Robinho hours before the transfer window closes. A transfer that was thought to be for around 42 million, which was an English record for the highest fee paid. And here, my friends, is where comparisons between Malaga and Man city fail.
When Sheikh Abdallah al Thani first took over a debt engulfed Malaga club, a lot expected them to go on a shopping spree, just like their fellow countrymen in Manchester. That did not happen though. The first summer came, and few transfers entered to the Andalusian team. Instead though, the club and its new owners worked on removing the debt that the club was in. Successfully too, I must add. Just like that, Malaga stopped being the club that is going to be the “Man City of Spain” and many people started questioning the ambitions of Sheikh Abdallah. Was his money real? Did he have high ambitions for the club? Why is he not spending a 100+ million a year?
Little did many know, the new Malaga owners actually had a set out plan. One that they believe, is the right way to go. No crazy signings. No president choosing the players they like, regardless of need. Nope. Instead, they gave the coaching job at the club to an established La Liga and CL coach. They told this coach: “Hey bro, you can get a couple of reinforcements in the winter transfer window, and in return you keep us up. Then in the summer, you can start your very own project.” And that is exactly what has happened. In the winter transfer window, Malaga acquired around 4 or 5 decent players that were capable of insuring that the team performs well and stays in the top flight. And they did exactly that.
Come summer time, the coach was asked to submit a list of players that he wants to work with, and the positions he feels need reinforcing. But that was not the only thing on the menu. The chairman of the club noted the exceptional lads coming through the youth ranks at the club and advised Pellegrini to take a look at those players and see if they are worthy of having a spot on the team. Pellegrini, in shock of sensing once again how patience smells like, lit up in happiness. Players like Rondon (21 years old) and Juanmi (18 years old) were taken a good look at. The verdict was positive. And for that exact reason, a veteran striker was only purchased. A veteran striker in RVN was the purchase. And it was a purchase that would not be counted on for on the field results only, but for off the field results as well. RVN, the self proclaimed mentor of Higuain, is thought to be the best person that could help both Rondon and Juanmi develop their game. And if RVN manages to help them like he helped Pipita, then Malaga are in for a great surprise.
Other players followed RVN, who by the by, was purchased for free. Toulalan, who joined for a measly 10 million, is another guy that joined the ranks. Left back Monreal, a relatively unknown figure outside of Spain but most likely the future left back for the Spanish NT, was also purchased for 4 million. Cazorla, one of the most highly rated wingers in spain and the world, also joined for 20 million. But Cazorla’s importance isn’t his quality alone, as there are many quality wingers out there. His main quality is his understanding with Pellegrini, a coach that he worked under for many years at Villareal. Other reinforcements were added for a total transfer fee of 52.5 million. 52.5 million was spend on a total of 9 high profile players. And here is where the difference between Malaga and Man City lies.
While Robinho was/is a great player, he was never a good fit for Man City or the EPL. It was more of a purchase to say: “Hey, we are here and we got money”. Sadly enough, there was a lot more moments like these, as the club started stacking up attacker after attacker, without addressing the actual problems that the team had. A manager was brought in, and one that had little success in Europe and has never managed in the premier league. Another short sighted attempt at getting success. One that is easily comparable to the project Malaga is building (ie. Pellegrini is a coach that knows La Liga inside and out). Credit to Mancini though, he added players that the club really did need. Purchases like Yaya Toure and Silva, while expensive, were needed. And hey, when you have the money to spend, what do you care? Oil will never end, will it?
And while the project that Man City is building is gaining success, its financial flaws are quite evident. A net revenue of negative 100 + million dollars is not a good financial system. And while success is great, short sightedness can really be a bitch. And if you don’t believe me, go ask Valencia. And this is where it seems Malaga is learning. Add to all that the plan to build a state of the art youth academy for up and coming stars, and you realize why the comparison and equation that Malaga is the Man City of the Spanish league fails dearly.
A veteran striker that can help their two young strikers grow is not the same as having Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz, Tevez, Jo, Dzeko, Bellamy, Balotelli and the newly signed 45 million Sergio Aguero. That’s seven world class strikers in a little cluster f#ck of a situation. Spending a 150 million every year on players is not the same as slowly building a team. Starting with a proven coach is wiser than a “one fail too many” coach like Mark Hughes.
As mentioned before, the systems that Man city and Malaga are using are really different. It seems that Malaga have learnt from the mistakes of Man city and are trying to avoid making them. In all fairness, and despite the mess that Man city has made, they have been more successful than they have ever been. And many Man City fans would tell you that they have reached the CL this season, and that is what matters. And in all fairness, there is nothing wrong with that. Good for them for going after a goal, albeit in an unorthodox way that might back fire come the time that Financial fair play will rule.
The project at Malaga is an exciting one. Whether it will succeed or not, that’s still uncertain. But there are a couple of things that are for certain. One is that, on paper, they seem to be on track to building a side that can compete for a CL spot. And second of all, they are ions different than the Man City project.
