Real Madrid on the hunt for another Vieira
MADRID: Real Madrid coach Jose Antonio Camacho is looking for options to strengthen his defence after failing to prise midfielder Patrick Vieira away from Arsenal.
“It's obvious that Vieira would have given us extra power in the midfield,” Camacho told Spanish sports daily AS on Monday.
“He's an outstanding ball-winner, especially in the air from goal kicks and he's got great physical strength.
“Right now Real are probably not as physically strong as their opponents and that is something we've got to improve.
“We will now have to solve the problem by alternative means because our squad is too thin,” he said.
Camacho spent the weekend in Ibiza on club president Florentino Perez's yacht to discuss which defenders they would try to recruit.
Spanish newspapers say Inter Milan defender and Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is top of their list and Argentine centre back Fabricio Coloccini also one of their targets.
Unable to complete the Vieira deal, Real president Florentino Perez instead opted to sign another forward in England striker Michael Owen from Liverpool.
Camacho made it clear that strengthening the Real attack had not been one of his priorities but said that the addition of the former European footballer of the year would keep the rest of the strikers on their toes.
“Owen will make Real more complete and any player of his quality will always be welcome at the club. The presence of Owen will mean there is even more competition for places and the players will be more anxious to play.”
Brazilian striker Ronaldo and Spanish internationals Raul and Fernando Morientes will be fighting it out with the former Liverpool striker for the two berths in the Real attack.
The Real Madrid coach also said he expected Owen's England colleague David Beckham to improve after a disappointing end to his first season at the club.
“I am sure he will give a lot more,” he said. “He's now adapted to the country, to its customs and to his team mates. He's much more integrated.
“But now he even understands me when I say things in Spanish.
“The only thing that bothers him are the paparazzi, who won't leave him alone, but he is able to stand up to it.” – Reuters
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