Raul signs for Schalke

Suedesi

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Raul leaves Real - close to signing with Schalke

Raul signs for Schalke after leaving Real Madrid
 

MJD72

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Definitely done? I have read a few reports that they hope it will happen soon, but nothing signed yet.
 

Sarni

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Didn't see it coming, it's a weird move because he doesn't really need Schalke, he's had an excellent career and he should call it quits rather than move to a team that wins nothing.
 

shaydun

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Sad to see IMO.

He's a legend of the game, pity he couldn't finish his career with Madrid.
 

Ish

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Surprise move of the season, definitely.

He has had a glittering career and I for one, would have put my mortgage on him ending his career at Madrid (a-la Giggs, Del Piero etc.).

Hope he does well.
 

CapeTownRed

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Anyone saying he should have packed it up consider that he still loves playing the game? He's not going to get enough game time at Madrid, and if he's still got the hunger for the game then why not go somewhere that will guarantee you starts?

I agree it's a bit of a strange move, but if he still loves playing then why not see how it pans out?
 

VoetbalWizard

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if he loves playing the game, fair play to him to want to continue his career. he's not that old really and the german league is an open league with good scoring. I wish him all the best at schalke unless he's playing united in the CL of course.
 

Ish

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Anyone saying he should have packed it up consider that he still loves playing the game? He's not going to get enough game time at Madrid, and if he's still got the hunger for the game then why not go somewhere that will guarantee you starts?

I agree it's a bit of a strange move, but if he still loves playing then why not see how it pans out?
Too true. I guess people are more surprised by where he ended up (Bundesliga). He could have ended up at Spurs or somewhere, but as pointed out already, Schalke isn't exactly a "bad side" and they have the Champions League aswell. I hope he does well and enjoys his experience. Always liked the fella, (and not to mention SAF has always been an admirer)
 

Cheltenham Red

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Too true. I guess people are more surprised by where he ended up (Bundesliga). He could have ended up at Spurs or somewhere, but as pointed out already, Schalke isn't exactly a "bad side" and they have the Champions League aswell. I hope he does well and enjoys his experience. Always liked the fella, (and not to mention SAF has always been an admirer)
We should have had a punt,what a legend for our young strikers to look up to and learn from.
 

davisjw

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Figured he might move to the States. Good luck to him at Schalke.

Speaking of, any word on Jermaine Jones being fit?
I thought the same thing. MLS for sure... And jones has played in all their preseason games.
 

EvilChuck

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I am surprised he chose Germany to be honest. I assumed he would either stay at Madrid, retire, or have a couple of seasons of MLS like the rumours were suggesting earlier in the year. But as has been said, if he still loves the game and still feels he can contribute at a high level for Schalke, then good luck to him.
 

Brwned

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I think some people have got the wrong idea here, it wasn't a selfish decision by Mourinho, the club or Raul. Mourinho told Raul that he appreciates his status at the club and thinks he still could be a big influence at the club, especially for the younger players, but his time on the pitch is going to be gradually decreased as the seasons go on and he was getting relatively little game time as it is, so it was entirely up to him. The club was happy to continue playing his wages - which from what I gather have stayed at the top level for years regardless of form - and would continue to give him a contract until he decided to retire, but Raul decided against it.

He decided that although he loves the club, he understood the reasoning behind his proposed lack of game time and he would rather finish his career playing regularly, and so he had a decision about which club to go to. The reason he chose Schalke, I'd presume, is because they're a young team - Westermann(26), Farfan(25), Neuer(24), Rafinha(24), Howedes(22), Rakitic(22), Schmitz(21), Moritz(20) and Matip(18) all in the top 11 starters last season - and they're steadily improving, with a chance to be a threat in the Champions League and he'll know he's looked up to and that his experience is highly valued at the club, he'll feel adored for a time again.
 

BaldwinLegend

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I think some people have got the wrong idea here, it wasn't a selfish decision by Mourinho, the club or Raul.
I think it's more that Gelsenkirchen, for anyone that knows it, is quite a difference from Madrid - it's very hard to imagine Raul settling and feeling good there... As football transfers go this one is fairly surreal because of the cultural gulf between the two clubs/cities if nothing else...
 

Brwned

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Maybe he needed a big change in all aspects in his life? He was in somewhat of a comfort zone professionally, If I might be so crass, and maybe that had followed through into his personal life. It sounds pretty hard to believe but maybe he wanted to get away from the constant adoration from his own fans, from the city that's not known for hiding big names, and he wanted more peace?

Admittedly I don't know a lot about Gelsenkirchen at all, nor his reasoning, I was just putting an possible idea behind it.
 

Lailiani

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I think it's more that Gelsenkirchen, for anyone that knows it, is quite a difference from Madrid - it's very hard to imagine Raul settling and feeling good there... As football transfers go this one is fairly surreal because of the cultural gulf between the two clubs/cities if nothing else...
Agreed. People associate the Ruhr area with coal, mines and drab and dreary towns. Add to that Schalke's reputation in Germany. Whilst they are currently enjoying some success, they are still probably the least popular and loved club in Germany.



Nevertheless interesting post, Brwned, you named some important reasons for Raul's departure that make it easier to understand why he left his boyhood club.
 

Dr. Dwayne

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The Ruhr is nice enough. The whole area is interesting and you don't have to go far to get away from the urban sprawl.

But I reckon he'd probably go for the regular football.
 

jojojo

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I think some people have got the wrong idea here, it wasn't a selfish decision by Mourinho, the club or Raul. Mourinho told Raul that he appreciates his status at the club and thinks he still could be a big influence at the club, especially for the younger players, but his time on the pitch is going to be gradually decreased as the seasons go on and he was getting relatively little game time as it is, so it was entirely up to him. The club was happy to continue playing his wages - which from what I gather have stayed at the top level for years regardless of form - and would continue to give him a contract until he decided to retire, but Raul decided against it.

He decided that although he loves the club, he understood the reasoning behind his proposed lack of game time and he would rather finish his career playing regularly, and so he had a decision about which club to go to. The reason he chose Schalke, I'd presume, is because they're a young team - Westermann(26), Farfan(25), Neuer(24), Rafinha(24), Howedes(22), Rakitic(22), Schmitz(21), Moritz(20) and Matip(18) all in the top 11 starters last season - and they're steadily improving, with a chance to be a threat in the Champions League and he'll know he's looked up to and that his experience is highly valued at the club, he'll feel adored for a time again.
I think that's a fair description. I was expecting to see him at Spurs but Schalke's not an unreasonable choice - he wasn't ready for ornamental semi-retirement (even if the pay might have been higher elsewhere) and he still likes playing. He's still pretty good at it as well - not that I expect anyone on here to believe that.

I also wonder about the Guardiola factor. He went off to see the world after his Barcelona playing career was over. 5 years later and with some new experiences he went back as a reserve team coach at Barca and the rest, as they say, is history. I can see Raul back at the Bernabeu.
 

djemba's arse

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Why on earth are people laughing at this?

If he wanted a last big paycheck he would have gone to MLS like henry, or some saudi side. Instead he's chosen to go to a lower paying, less glamorous team - but a team challenging in a very competitive league where he can still prove his worth as a footballer. I'd say well done Raul if he actually ends up there.