Spend, Spend, Spend - The Sunday Essay

Well we do live in extraordinary times.  Whether it is the Labour Party turning in on itself and continuing to fail to listen to the electorate whilst continuing to spend money that the country can ill afford on stupid projects - or for that matter bailing out bankers whilst turning it's backs on it's core voters - who have in turned voted in two fascists to represent their region in the European Parliament.

Outside the election of the slime and ever continuing fallout of last week's elections - surely the story of the week has to be of that of Cristiano Ronaldo's impending move from the Corporation to Franco's Children for a world-record £80million.  Just to put it in comparison, another £20million would buy you, Newcastle United, and their over-paid, relegated misfits...

We all thought that with the sale going through of Brazilian superstar Kakà from AC Milan for £59million, that that would be the end of the madness of newly elected and unopposed President Florentino Perez - that he would probably end up buying the likes of David Villa (which he eventually has...for £34million) and possibly the likes of Ashley Cole and Alvaro Arbeloa... though I hope the latter stays at Anfield...

These are supposed to be recessionary times that we live in and yet we are seeing, both in Sporting and economic terms, ridiculous sums of money exchanging hands.  No doubt, the sheikh at Manchester City will be biding their time waiting to make their move on anyone who either Real, or for that matter any of the Big 4 or current European Champions Barcelona decide they do not need... though if they do not need them, then they will probably not make Man City do any better than they did last year...Robinho excluded...

What is remarkable to some, but to me concerning is this.  How is it in these economically hard times can a club such as Real Madrid be able to spend something close to £175million yet they have close on £500million in debt to worry about.  I hear the arguments put forward by the former president Roman Calderon that he was quite frugal in how much he spent each season, but still...

Perez states that shirt sales will fund the deals, which suggest quite a staggering number of replica tops will need to be shifted, though considering the club's fanatical support in Asia, only greater in size to both Liverpool and Manchester United and then it is possible... Only possible...not exactly guaranteed...it better be worth it...for Perez's sake...I do not think it will do...