What lies ahead for Kaka at Real Madrid?
After months out recovering from knee surgery following the World Cup, Brazilian play-maker Kaka is back in training and will return to first-team action in January according to Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.
Reports are suggesting that Kaka is hopeful to be back for the Getafe vs Real Madrid match which will be Madrid's first match after the winter break on January 3. If not, Madrid fans can expect the Brazilian to feature in Los Blanco's second leg of their Copa del Rey clash with Levante on January 6, a game in which Madrid hold an 8-0 advantage.
With speculation surrounding his future at Real Madrid and his ability to hold down a first team spot in the new GalÁcticos side, the future of the former World Player of the Year seems uncertain...
When Real Madrid finally landed their long targeted player from AC Milan back in 2009 for 68.5 million Euros, there were huge expectations on the Brazilian's shoulders. After a highly criticised 2009-10 season for Real Madrid, there were doubts about Kaka's ability to live up to the high price tag he came to the Spanish capital with.
The 28-year-old finished the season with eight goals and six assists in 21 Spanish Premiera Division starts and one goal in two assists in seven Champions League games. He failed to find his old touch that made him such as prize asset. When he returns in January, the Madrid faithful will be looking for him to prove himself as the quality player they initially expected.
So far, Kaka has been out all season and questions are being raised about his ability to earn a starting place in the Madrid side. We're yet to see how the 'Special One' utilises Kaka who still has to be considered one of the best players in world football. Mourinho has already claimed that when Kaka comes back into the side he will be like a new signing. So far this season, Mourinho has utilised a 4-2-3-1 formation that has seen new signing Mesut Oezil play as the central play-maker. The sides flexibility has been built around the solid foundation of having two defensive minded mid-fielders, two wingers, a central play-maker and a single striker.
So where would Kaka fit in the new Madrid outfit that, up to El ClÁsico, were looking unbeatable? Kaka will no doubt provide some tough competition for Mezut Oezil who currently occupies Kaka's expected position. The season so far has been a learning curve for the developing German international. Kaka will provide a more experienced alternative in the middle of the pitch. Mourinho will want to utilise Kaka's best attribute which is unquestionably his ability to find the crucial final pass. When he featured for Brazil in the 2010 World Cup, he was used as the final-ball passer and achieved three assists in four games.
Ideally, Mourinho would love Kaka to come into the Madrid side and find his form that once made him the best player in the world. As we all know though, football rarely turns out that like that. Kaka will need game time to regain match fitness and his performances will need to convince Mourinho that he is worth keeping. After all, if Madrid can find a potential buyer for Kaka, Mourinho could be tempted to cash in and buy that striker he has been calling for to complement Higuain and Benzema. The only difficulty with this though would be finding a buyer that would be willing to pay a high price for a footballer past his prime. Kaka cost £56million and there's no way Florentino Perez will let him leave for less than £40million.
If Kaka were to leave Madrid, where would he go? There are suggestions he would be willing to leave the BernabÉu for Chelsea. Reportedly, the player would be more open for a move to England ahead of a return to Italy with Inter Milan. Inter have been strongly linked with a move for the Brazilian play-maker however the Inter president, Ernesto Bronzetti, has stated that the only destination for him is Chelsea.
So, if you believe the rumours, Stamford Bridge could be a potential destination for Kaka. If this were to happen, he would be reuniting with his former manager Carlo Ancelotti. Roman Abramovich, who is a long term admirer of Kaka, would have the funds to make such an offer. It has been a while since Chelsea have flexed their muscles in the transfer market and the Chelsea owner could be looking to assert his financial dominance once again. Kaka and Ancelottie have a good history together and the Brazilian could be tempted to reunite with his former manager in London.
After all the efforts Real Madrid went through to sign Kaka from AC Milan, it would be surprising if Madrid were willing to let the Brazilian leave. Also, Mourinho could be a stumbling block in this potential move if he is unwilling to sell a player to his former club.
Despite the speculation, Kaka has insisted he is happy at Real Madrid and is willing to fight for a first team spot. When he returns to action, all eyes will be on him ready to cast their judgements. Even if he wants to stay at the Spanish capital, the decision may not be his to make...
