I was on skysports.com and found this:
Rafael van der Vaart has admitted to being unhappy at out-of-sorts Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The Dutchman only joined the capital club over the summer, becoming Bernd Schuster's only pre-season acquisition in the process.
A positive start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu brought four goals in his first three games, with Real seemingly well on course to defend their Primera Liga crown.
However, a serious slump has seen them lose momentum in the title race and cost Schuster his job.
Van der Vaart now finds himself out of favour, resigned to filling back-up duties on the bench.
The 25-year-old is growing increasingly agitated at this lack of action, unable to comprehend why he is consistently overlooked by an under-performing side.
"I'm not very happy and I am in a difficult situation," he said.
"I played very well during my first month in the team and scored four goals. But all the blame shouldn't rest on the player, it's a combination of things.
"I do admit that my performance level has dropped."
ArticleIt got me wondering whether or not Rafa should try and get him because IMO it would add a lot more ability and quality to the team.
I think that he would be a heck of a lot better than Benayoun and he could forge a great partnership with Gerrard and Torres.
A possible line up which could turn to be very effective is:
Reina
Arbeloa Carra Agger/Skrtel Insua
Babel Masch/Alonso Riera
Gerrard VDV
Torres
I know the chances of Insua being in that line up are low at the moment but oh well.
Gerrard already has an outstanding partnership with Torres and it is even more effective when he is playing just behind him.
I have used the basis of the 4-2-3-1 formation, except putting 4-3-2-1. A problem we have this season is scoring goals and killing teams off so with the addition of VDV when we are on the attack VDV and Gerrard could run on and make it into a 4-3-3 sort of formation.
Another good possiblity with this line up is that Gerrard could sometimes swap places with Babel as it would add extra pace to the sort of 3 pronged attack as well as killer balls into the box.
IMO Masch and Alonso are both good enough to be able to just sit back while Babel and Riera attack down the wings and the '2-1' part of the formation attack through the middle more, along with right back and left back getting up in support. That may seems a bit vulnerable when it comes to defending but our centre backs and holding midfielder would stay back and I think that they are more than capable of stopping any attack that they will face.
I feel that Kuyt could do his usual job when he plays instead of Babel to what he des in the 4-2-3-1.
One big decision about this line up and one that the pundits and media would go on and on and on about is the choice to leave out Robbie Keane. At the moment I would have absolutely no problem with Keane being left on the bench and that line up being played (providing it works that is) because Keane is not doing his job which is to score goals. However, if we are still struggling to score then obviously changes would be made Keane would com on or replace someone in the line up in the following games until the next change etc.
I think that it would be a good choice if Rafa got in VDV but that is just my opinion, obviously not everyone will agree so let me know what you think. One thing that could sway your choice though is the fact I have tried this line up on football manager and it was very effective
(only joking in case you think that I have based this topic on something that happend on a computer game
)