Thomas Gravesen to Real Madrid

I must admit, in my mind Thomas Gravesen was not an A list player up until this season. A good player, yes. Solid player? Yes. Outstanding player? No, but I have changed my mind. Gravesen has proven his worth for Everton this season and was rewarded in style with a contract with Real Madrid. Madrid has not been the same team since the departure of Claude Makelele to Chelsea last year. Gravesen was brought in for a single reason: hold the midfield. And that he will do.

For Everton, Gravesen was given a much freer role in midfield. He was instrumental in attack and inspirational in the tackle. In Madrid he wont have this freedom anymore but at least will get the a great view of the galacticos in front of him.

This was a great purchase for Madrid. I have been highly critical of some of their decisions such as firing Carlos Quiroz (the team failed because of staffing issues, not coaching, Quiroz asked for midfield holders and defenders and was given Beckham instead) Madrid now have a great midfielder in superb form and paid almost nothing (In Real Madrid terms) for him. He can step right in and fill the biggest hole in midfield. Guti wasn’t the player for that role but Gravesen is. Madrid have made a great score here, they used their name to lure a player on the cheap that was out of contract at the end of the season. I doubt Gravesen would have moved to big clubs like Tottenham or Celtic or Porto, but Madrid are a different story. You just can’t say no.

Everton, you should have extended his contract.