Nuri Sahin moves to Liverpool

Real Madrid and Liverpool closed yesterday the transfer of Sahin for a season (on loan). The white club will receive 6 million euros and the British will take over the player's salary (3 million euros). A good deal for the white club, as Mourinho confirmed: "Real Madrid is well managed. Their president is ahead of many and Jose Angel Sanchez (general manager) worries about the future and economic stability of a club that is of its partners. There are operations that are easy to control. The salary, the transfer cost (10 million euros), the amount Liverpool will pay ... everything is under control".

Nuri Sahin: New Liverpool player

Real Madrid convinced Sahin that Liverpool is a good destination. The Turkish midfielder preferred Arsenal (which only offered 2 million euros for his transfer), because he wanted to play the Champions League and given the interest of Wenger, who has been called him several times, it looked the best option. But Sahin still has the consolation that Liverpool are playing the Europa League preview and will be easier for him to take a starting lineup place.

The player traveled to Liverpool yesterday with his agent Fazeli, where he signed the contract, he met his new coach Rodgers and posed with the number 4 Liverpool jersey that he will wear. He said his first words to the club's website: "Xabi Alonso told me to sign for The Reds and Mourinho told me about when he worked with Rodgers at Chelsea. They said me the Premier is the best place".

The new Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin said that has an eye on the Champions League, a competition that "a big club" like yours should play every year: "A big club like Liverpool must play each year the Champions League and we will do our best to be among the top four". Sahin, about to turn 24, joined Real Madrid last season from Borussia Dortmund, where he was named player of the Bundesliga in the 2010-2011 season.

Nuri Sahin to play for Arsenal

Sahin will play this season for Arsenal. Yesterday was completed the transfer of Turkish international to English club. His agent, Reza Fazeli, went yesterday to the offices of the Santiago Bernabeu at 11:30 a.m. and sealed the deal for the player transfer on loan. Both clubs will announce it in the coming hours.

Reza Fazeli. Sahin's agent at the Bernabeu

The Arsene Wenger'a team will take over the player's salary (2.8 million euros net) and will also pay an extra amount to Real Madrid to take the loan of Sahin. Keep in mind that Liverpool, Galatasaray and Besiktas were also interested in getting the loan of former Borussia player and so the white club was able to get some money.

At first, Sahin did not have in mind the idea of leaving Madrid, but Mourinho has convinced him that the best option is to take minutes out of the white squad. During the preseason Mourinho placed him as left-back and in the first official match against Valencia left him out of bench.

Among all the options (Turkey and England), Sahin preferred the Premier League because he thought it was better for him. Between Liverpool and Arsenal, the two English clubs interested in him, the player has always shown a predilection for the 'Gunners' as they are going to play the Champions League and Brendan Rodgers' team still has to get a place in the Europa League. Furthermore, as published by the British media, Wenger himself called Sahin during the last weekend to explain him what would be his role at the team (Song's replacement, newcomer to Barcelona) and finished to convince him that Arsenal was the ideal destination.

What was not contemplated in the agreement is that Arsenal has a purchase option at the end of this season. This was stated Mourinho: "Sahin will leave on loan. Real Madrid will never sell him. He needs to play and develop". The Portuguese coach thinks Sahin can reach a higher level that he showed when was awarded as best player in the Bundesliga 2010-11, but thinks he should play football minutes out of Real Madrid.

Luka Modric stopped the last great offer from Chelsea

Luka Modric was responsible for disposing of the last big offer that arrived at Tottenham offices two days ago. Di Matteo's Chelsea is interested in the player, and the English team has put on the table more money than Real Madrid. But according to the Daily Mirror reported in yesterday's edition, the Croatian player himself said again to the leaders of the Spurs that his decision can not be reversed. According to the Mirror, Chelsea wanted to include two players in the transaction, Raul Meireles and Daniel Sturridge, two players Villas-Boas likes. With those two in the business, Chelsea offer exceeded that of Real Madrid, but Modric has already decided.

Luka Modric

Today is the day that the talks between Daniel Levy and Florentino Perez will be reactivated. Luka Modric's signing could be officially announced in a few hours. The business will close in 30 million euros plus 5 variables (Levy still trying to increase these variables). Real Madrid also has the disadvantage the euro-pound exchanging is unfavorable. These are the last fringes that must be resolved before the presentaton of Luka Modric at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Tootenham is looking for a substitute in the midfield but it's not even a problem. Villas-Boas said on Saturday after losing at Newcastle on their debut in the Premier League: "The Modric's issue will be closed in a couple of days. It is independent in the two contracts we have to do (a midfielder and a center forward)".

Today also could be closed the transfer of Sahin, on loan, because Mourinho still believes that due to his youth (23 years old) and quality (was voted player of the Bundesliga in 2010-11) can still be useful in Madrid. Arsenal and Liverpool are the two most interested teams, but the favorite destination option for the player is the London side. For one simple reason: the midfielder wants to play the Champions League, and only with Wenger's squad could do it. Real Madrid and Arsenal will continue talking today about the deal. Arsenal needs soon a midfielder after the sale of Song to Barcelona for 15 million pounds (19 million euros). Real Madrid wants to maintain control over the future of Sahin.

The transfer of Sahin will close this week

The transfer (on loan) of Sahin will close this week. At least that is what Real Madrid wants. The immediate future of the player is in the Premiership. The Arsenal is one that is showing more interest in the Turkish, who is under contract until 2017. In fact, on July 27, the player did not travel to Lisbon to play a friendly against Benfica because the 'gunners' were negotiating. After failing, Sahin traveled with the rest of the team to the U.S. tour, but Wenger still believes in him. "There is interest from many clubs. We will wait", said the player's agent, Reza Fazeli.

Nuri Sahin

This operation is independent of Modric's, although Tottenham have been one of the teams that have been interested in the white midfielder. He will be transferred because Mourinho wants the Turkish midfielder to play minutes in a high-level league which is not guaranteed in Madrid. Nuri Sahin is 23 years old and the Portuguese coach does not see him physically and mentally ready to play in the white team. "I try to be honest with Sahin. I think he must go if he has a chance", said the Mourinho after the friendly against Benfica.

Mourinho does not have him for next season. So much so that in the U.S.A. Tour used him as a left back in training and in matches (played 127 minutes in 4 games), not in the midfield position and where he was voted best player in the Bundesliga 2010-11 when Sahin played for Dortmund.

Nuri Sahin did not like this. He wanted to stay and assured it to his environment, but is aware that will have to accept his situation. Turkish midfielder arrived last summer to be the replacement for Xabi Alonso, but due to the injuries and technical decisions, his performance was not good: played 642 minutes in 10 games, 12.2% of the minutes in the season. He could not debut until November 6 against Osasuna. The Portuguese has much faith in his potential and so wants him to accumulate more minutes of high competition. All indications are that it will be at Arsenal.

Liverpool joins the bid for Nuri Sahin

While Nuri Sahin spends the U.S.A. tour playing games as left-back, the player is an object of desire for several teams in the Premiership. Liverpool is the last club that has joined the bid for Real Madrid midfielder, who does not fit into the plans of Mourinho. The white club is interested in a transfer (on loan) and it would come in the next days.

Nuri Sahin training with Jose Mourinho

Liverpool, which is going through a delicate economic situation, would be willing to accept the only condition of Real Madrid to allow the Sahin's leaving: A loan or, alternatively, a sale with an option to repurchase affordable.

In favor of Liverpool is also the presence of Brendan Rodgers as their new coach, a coach who landed in the Premier from the hand of Jose Mourinho. Rodgers was chosen by Mourinho to coach Chelsea's reserve team at the stage of the Portuguese coach as head coach of the blues.

When Brendan Rodgers joined Liverpool as the coach for their new project, Mourinho said: "With Rodgers the glory days will come back at Liverpool". Now, because of their relationship, Mourinho could try to convince Sahin that Liverpool can be an ideal destination for him.

Manchester United wants to sign Sahin

Nuri Sahin's future is still in the air. Although it seems clear that he will leave Real Madrid in the coming days, where he will play is still unknown. The Premier is the championship that more is betting on the Turkish and he likes, but the operation is not straightforward. The last team interested in Sahin is Manchester United, a club that excites the player but puts conditions that directly conflict with the interests of Real Madrid.

Nuri Sahin

At Real Madrid want to leave Sahin on loan one year or, in the worst case, make an option to buy in case of transfer. But United does not agree. Ferguson wants the player and does not provide anything other than sign him and keep it in property. Man. United conditions make it nearly impossible, unless a large offer that would change the plans of Real Madrid. Sahin is a player with great conditions and Florentino Peres was one of its leading proponents and therefore he will not sell the player so easily.

Mourinho also appreciates the virtues of Sahin, but after a year on the sidelines, he thinks the player would grow as footballer in another club. Nuri Sahin will not play regularly in a team from the requirement of Real Madrid, with Xabi, Khedira, Lass and Granero as midfielders and waiting for Luka Modric, another player who can perform in this demarcation.

Apart from United, two clubs in the Premier want to sign Sahin. One is the Arsenal, which is closer to get the player. The agreement between Sahin and Wenger's team is almost complete, but the clubs need to agree on the percentage of the salary to be paid by each. Tottenham has also been interested in Sahin, but Real Madrid wanted to include him in Modric's operation and the London team wanted to separate the two operations.

The player is waiting for news in Los Angeles, crestfallen after checking that has not place in the Mourinho's plans but wanting to find a new team to play regularly. Sahin hopes his future is resolved, no later than next week. Wants to end this uncertainty and start working with his new team to win a starting lineup place. He does not want to delay his move and harm his year when the new season has not started yet.

Nuri Sahin's future under discussion

Nuri Sahin's future is a matter of discussion in the office area of Real Madrid stadium. The white team's technical staff thinks that the Turkish midfielder has to leave to play in other team, that's what he need. Although Mourinho, after the season, declared publicly that Sahin would continue for another season under his command.

Nuri Sahin

Although Sahin is convinced that he will stay in Real Madrid and will not move to other team, some staff members are thinking about a loan. Nuri Sahin still has 5 years of contract and at age of 23 (turns 24 in September) can not afford another year without playing. Hence, with the overpopulation of midfielders in white team, some have put on the table the possibility of a loan.

The Turkish played only 10 games last season, most of them without something in stake. And for this season, with the probable arrival of Luka Modric, who can be playmaker or play as midfielder, there will be much more competition for the former Borussia Dortmund player. Besides, Sahin will have to fight again with the Mourinho's untouchables, Xabi Alonso and Khedira, Granero and Lass Diarra (if the French does not leave Real Madrid).

Despite having spent a year out of the football fields because of injuries and lack of opportunities, there are teams still interested in Sahin. Malaga, Borussia Dortmund and even Tottenham that could request the player on the Modric's transfer operation. However, all interested teams are faced with the problem of high salary, amounting to 2.5 million euros net, so in case of a loan, Real Madrid will have to bear part of his salary.

Nuri Sahin is training during his holidays

Nuri Sahin has already begun to work thinking about next season. The Turkish midfielder knows he has to charge the batteries if he wants to start the course at the same rate as his peers and is following in his holidays a specific physical plan. The duties that Sahin has taken, have been designed by Jose Mourinho and Rui Faria, although the Turkish works hand in hand with a personal trainer to make strictly he follows all directions on the coaching staff at Real Madrid.

Sahin training with Real Madrid

Last season, Sahin never had the same pace of his peers because of an injury that suffered when he played for the Borussia Dortmund. The Turkish midfielder arrived at Real Madrid with a problem in the internal lateral ligament of his knee that stop him from doing the preseason to keep pace with his companions, which dogged him for the entire campaign.

Jose Mourinho tried by all means the player could reach the same physical level as his peers through a variety of customized plans, but Mourinho never saw Sahin ready to play on the team and that gave him ten opportunities. Throughout the season he only played 10 games: four in the Spanish league, four in Champions League and two in Spanish Cup.

The work Sahin is doing during holidays, is intended primarily to strengthen the quadriceps muscles, vital to prevent injuries in the knees. The Turkish has had three injuries to the ligaments in the last year and has a working protocol to prevent discomfort in this area. Sahin trains at the gym every day with his personal trainer and plays other sports that help him to improve his aerobic fitness.

Sahin is following the example of Karim Benzema, who last summer improved his physical performance with a personal trainer recommended by Zinedine Zidane. The results are obvious because the French has been one of the best players of Real Madrid this season.

Nuri Sahin: "My dream is Real Madrid"

Nuri Sahin denied yesterday that is interested in playing for Galatasaray: "I will not return to Turkey, my dream is still the Real Madrid". Statements of the midfielder who tried to shut up the rumors that erupted in his country after the Saturday dinner with Altintop and Sükrü Hanedar, a director of the Turkish club. Sahin himself uploaded a picture from the restaurant, in a table where two other players joined, Sentürk (Fenerbahce) and Sanli (Wolfsburg). Is not the first time Sahin is very close to Galatasaray. On May 6, a photographer caught him in the Ottoman team's stadium witnessing the Istanbul derby against Besiktas.

Nuri Sahin in Turkey

Yesterday, while Sahin was incorporated to the Turkey national team, commented the bittersweet feelings he has had in his first season in Real Madrid: "I was in the list of players who disappointed last season and I know that the Madrid fans expect more from me. I can do better if I have no more injuries". Sahin knows that his role was secondary this season. Mourinho did not trust in him and played only 642 minutes, but he does not give up: "I will always fight to be a better player for this team".

A self-criticism that gave way to faith in himself: "I have confidence in my ability and I am in the best club in the world. My dream is still the Real Madrid". Sahin will move tomorrow with Altintop and the rest of the Turkish national team to Salzburg (Austria), where they will stay in a training stage. Turkey will play there three friendlies against Georgia on Thursday, against Finland on Saturday and May 29 they will face Bulgaria.

Sahin will also face with Cristiano Ronaldo. In fact, he will face with all the Real Madrid's Portuguese international players on June 2, this time in Lisbon. Sahin revealed that Cristiano had already spoken with him about the match: "I talked with him and jokingly told me that we should not play hard because three of my teammates are going to play for Portugal. But I assured him that we must play hard because we have a similar style to the Netherlands (Portugal's rival in the group stage of Eurocup) and Cristiano laughed ".

Nuri Sahin's pre-season begins with five games

Nuri Sahin's pre-season will start... in May. The Real Madrid midfielder, who has had few opportunities this season because of injuries and tough competition, has been summoned by Turkey national team to play five friendlies. The matches will be played between May 24 and June 5, the date on which his holidays will begin.

Nuri Sahin

The Turkish origin can play in 13 days, half of games played during all season. In Madrid closed the season with four Spanish League games, four in the Champions League and two in the Spanish Cup, most without importance. In total 621 minutes. With him will be Hamit Altintop, who in his first season in white team has participated in 12 games (608 minutes).

Mourinho publicly stated that Sahin will not be transferred: "He will stay. He has not made a full pre-season with us and now will do", advanced the Portuguese coach. Well, a couple of Turkish friends is going to get in good form early. The Ottomans, led by Abdullah Avci, will face to Georgia, Finland and Bulgaria in Salzburg. Then they will travel to Lisbon to play against Cristiano's Portugal and will end this marathon matches against Ukraine.

Sahin and Altintop are not the only ones who have a busy end of the course. Marcelo will play four friendlies with Brazil; Denmark (in Hamburg on May 26), United States (in Washington on May 30 ), Mexico (June 3 in Dallas) and Argentina (New Jersey, June 9). Higuain and Di Maria will have less load. Qualifying match against Ecuador in Buenos Aires (June 6) and the mentioned game against Brazil. The other player who will not go to Eurocup and will have summer commitments is Raphael Varane. Two qualifying matches for the European Championship Under-21 against Latvia (June 2) and Kazakhstan (June 8).

Liga 2011-2012: A championship without signings

Real Madrid recovered the throne league with little input from the five new faces who came to the team 10 months ago. Coentrao, Callejon,Varane, let alone Sahin and Altintop, have not had a main role in the winning of the Spanish league. In fact, them have just played 16% of the minutes in the regular tournament.

Coentrao, Callejon, Sahin, Altintop and Varane

Who has played most, of the signings, has been Fabio Coentrao. The Portuguese has even been a starter in key games of the season; San Mames, Vicente Calderon and Camp Nou. Three important wins for the championship. However, Marcelo has been above him all season, although Mourinho has chosen his compatriot in difficult games at home by offering more reliable defense.

Callejon never won a place at the starting lineup, although he worked and deserved it for moments scoring goals in all competitions. However, at key moments, rarely was chosen for playing with the starters, except in the Sanchez Pizjuan (against Sevilla), where he also scored, and San Mames.

Varane, such as signing for the future, has appeared in placid afternoons to gain experience. Is expected to continue growing. In the last positions of minutes and prominence are the two Turkish, Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop. Both got injured and never won the confidence of the Real Madrid manager. In short, the team earned the league without signings.

Fabio COENTRAO. Coentrao has played almost half of the League. Discussed by the fans and protected by Mourinho until the episode of cigarette, the Portuguese always lived with the slab of the 30 million euro of his transfer.

Jose CALLEJON. 'Mourinho Man' came demanded by the coach, the former youth squad player has been the first among the substitutes. His goal in Mallorca won three key points, but has started only four games.

Nuri SAHIN. 90 minutes are an utopia for Sahin. Nuri's performance was inversely proportional to the expectations that were placed in the left-handed midfielder. He injured in summer in his left knee and had no continuity and rhythm when played. Disappointing.

Hamit ALTINTOP. He has a lot to change so that its history in Real Madrid is not as absent as usual. The Turkish came injured on the back, just after a surgery. When he wanted to join the group dynamics, Mourinho did not see the adequate level to displace any of the starters. He only played as a starter in a game at the Bernabeu against Zaragoza. He scored a goal in the 2-6 of the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Raphael VARANE. He came recommended by Zidane and has completed his adaptation. He is only 19 years old and looks like a great footballer. Composure, character, personality, passing game, good ball game. However, he has not enjoyed many minutes. He played six games home and scored a goal against Rayo.

Nuri Sahin has already recovered from left knee injury

Nuri Sahin begins to glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel. Turkish-German midfielder of 23 years has the green light from doctors, who have seen in recent days as the evolution of his grade I sprain of the internal lateral ligament in his left knee is still correct and satisfactory. He is the most important signing of five newly made ​by Real Madrid ​for this season (the club announced their engagement on May 9, including a payment to Borussia Dortmund of 10 million euros) and now he lacks only the stage of functional rehabilitation and addition to the team, which translated for all mortals means to train at the same pace that the rest of the template to complete his pre-season.

Nuri Sahin training at Valdebebas Sports City

Mourinho is taking no chances with the debut of Sahin because during the summer was the anxiety of the player and the desire to debut what caused the injury to his left knee which has avoided his official premiere in white (the only outfield player that has not played minutes). These next two weeks will be decisive to Sahin. Once the medical problem is already solved, Mourinho will add him gradually to the dynamics of the group. Something like what he did with Altintop, who played against Ajax seven minutes last week.

The injury of Sahin has forced Xabi Alonso to dispute the 900 minutes played by the Real Madrid since the start of the official season. The Portuguese coach wants Sahin to play in the position of the Spanish midfielder, not alongside him. Mourinho hopes to include Sahin this month in a call to gain confidence and remove the upset which caused him the last injury just before the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy

On June 22, FIFA issued a survey to pick young players with greater future. Sahin won the vote ahead of Alexis Sanchez, Pastore, Gareth Bale, Ganso and Hazard. Also, the German players chose the best player in Bundesliga last season and Sahin emerged victorious with 46% of the votes in that prestigious league. Sahin hopes to debut soon to account for all these awards. Has signed for six years...His debut is closer.

Nuri Sahin: A new crystal player?

Nuri Sahin will be two months out. The Turk will stay, in the best case, half a year away from the pitch. It is not the first time a player just signed for Real Madrid faces a long string of injuries. This is the story of a club in which nobody wants to belong; that of the eternal injury.

Prosinecki, Woodgate and Robben

In modern history, this club was inaugurated by Robert Prosinecki. The Croatian was an obsession for Ramon Mendoza, who invested 2,500 million pesetas (15 million euros, 1991) in the player who, according to his plan, would make Real Madrid, Champions of Europe. 'Prosi' had achieved this with Red Star Belgrade. The 'Butragueño's Five' could not win the trophy year after year.

However, Prosinecki barely played with Real Madrid. In his first season, three games and one goal against Barcelona with his specialty, free-kick. He suffered injury after injury, all muscular. Doctors at Madrid changed his diet, teeth and even the way of walking and running. The player was subjected to all kinds of tests, but none offered a diagnosis of his fragility, so they sought a psychological explanation: the stress of playing in Madrid was killing him. It may well be: in Oviedo, with less pressure, offered his strongest performance in Spain. But when FC Barcelona, ​​at the express request of Johan Cruyff, recruited him, the muscle injuries went back.

But, Prosinecki played 60 games in three seasons with Real Madrid. Numbers that Jonathan Woodgate could never dream. As Sahin and Altintop, the England defender arrived injured at the Bernabeu. In principle, for a few weeks, then became a few months and at last a full season. So, he debuted with Real Madrid a year after his arrival, in a league match against Athletic Bilbao. What a moment¡ He made ​​an own goal and was sent-off.

Nevertheless, Woodgate, whocost around 20 million euros, enjoyed some continuity in that second season. He played 12 games, made ​​his only goal in white at a match of Champions League against Rosenborg, until he reinjured. A back problem forced him to undergo surgery and ruined his chances of traveling with England national team to the World Cup in Germany 2006. Also ended his time at Madrid. The club decided to transfer him to Middlesborough. In his first season in England he played 36 games, but then came the nightmare. Last season, with the Spurs played just one match. He had a dream: to play against Real Madrid in Champions League. He could not due to injury.

The last case of player prone to injury is that of Arjen Robben, who joined Real Madrid in 2007 in exchange for 36 million euros. The Dutchman had already been preceded by a reputation for crystal player that was confirmed at Madrid, where he suffered nine lesions, all muscular in nature, in less than two years. As Woodgate, made a remarkable first season after being transferred to Bayern in exchange for 25 million euros, but played the last World Cup in difficult physical conditions and after the event in South Africa, a new muscle injury healed badly, left him out of any club competition for several months.

Nuri Sahin: Out for three or four weeks

The new injury of Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin, grade II sprain of lateral ligament in his left knee in the distal third, can leave him off the pitch three to four weeks more. The misfortune accompanies Sahin in his first steps as Real Madrid player. In July, after the North American leg of the summer preseason, suffered a concussion in training that left him with a knee sprain grade I. Now when he was on the verge of his debut with Real Madrid, has re-injured.

Sahin, who has not played a game since April 15 when he went down injured with Borussia Dortmund against Freiburg in his right knee, continues his ordeal. He trained with his new teammates two days in the sports City of Valdebebas in the previous days of the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy where was planned by Jose Mourinho his debut in the final minutes, but again has suffered a sprain in the same area of his left knee.

Mourinho (resigned) confirmed it at news conference: "The Sahin's injury is not a relapse. This injury is different", he unveiled. "Sahin is not to play, so I will not be much more specific. I leave it to the medical department. I did not expect him to play in Zaragoza, so for me is not important", he said.

The month off that Sahin must take up anew, is a setback for Mourinho, that could not call Sami Khedira by muscle problems for the Zaragoza match and has ruled Esteban Granero by technical decision. So Fabio Coentrao holds the midfield starter position alongside Xabi Alonso and now the coach do not see as a problem that the club do not sell Lass Diarra.

Nuri Sahin  at the Bernabeu Stadium

Raphael Varane will debut at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

In the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy, Real Madrid fans will see two exciting pieces of this new Real Madrid 2011-12; Varane and Sahin. And tomorrow will be able to witness in action the French central defender against Turkish Galatasaray. The young defender, who has arrived from Lens in exchange for 10 million despite playing just 23 games in Ligue 1, played an important role in preseason (418 minutes), but did not participate in the Spanish Super Cup. Mourinho called him only for the first leg at the Bernabeu (leaving Albiol at the stands), but left him on the bench and did not play a minute.

It is expected that tomorrow, Raphael Varane will play, in the starting line up, the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy and the fans are curious to see how moves the young signing (18 years) that comes with a guarantee like Zidane, who recommended his hiring: "He has a great future. Players with his temper, that reminds me Blanc, I saw very few".

Raphael Varane. Real Madrid USA Tour 2011 

Mourinho also stamped his mark on the recruitment and has shown it in preseason. Varane was the third player who played more, with 418 minutes, just behind Benzema (436') and Coentrao (422'). In the central defenders payroll, was the most used: Pepe played 351', Carvalho played 348' and Albiol, his direct competitor as the third central, played 331'.

Who could not walk on the green in the preseason was Sahin. He would play the first minutes for Real Madrid tomorrow. The Turkish has 51 days under the command of Mourinho, but a lateral ligament sprained in his left knee keeps him out despite the comeback was scheduled in the China Tour. Yesterday, he rejoined the group in Valdebebas Sports City and if tomorrow he has green light, would play a few minutes to start his history in the white club. It is expected that he can play against Zaragoza if the next League day takes place.

Nuri Sahin has recovered and will play the Bernabeu Trophy

Although Mourinho is delighted with his staff, the MourTeam II, still lacks a signing: Nuri Sahin. The Turkish midfielder, arrived this summer from Borussia Dortmund with the credentials of having been voted player of the Bundesliga in the last season, is the missing piece to Real Madrid to fit the entire Mourinho's puzzle.

Sahin will debut with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu Trophy

Sahin, who could debut dressed in white next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy, will have gallons of starter since day one. Mourinho knows he will be a key in his game plan, to the point that the Portuguese coach is willing to vary his usual system 4-3-3 for a 4-2-3-1 system in lot of matches, similar to the Barcelona's, to allow coexistence in midfield from Xabi Alonso, Khedira and Sahin.

In addition, Mourinho is convinced that in most games at the Bernabeu Stadium, Sahin and Xabi can seamlessly integrate the midfield pair, because almost all rivals come to the Real Madrid stadium to defend a tie and his team needs more speed and imagination, with less muscle the middle line.

It is precisely, the displacement speed of the ball, the Sahin's feature that Mourinho likes more. The coach is confident that the Turkish international will become a top player at European level in a few months. Hence, in the preseason, Mourinho has insisted on the importance of Sahin in the workforce and did not want to force him at any time to join the group after the untimely knee injury suffered by the Turkish in the first training in the U.S.A.

Real Madrid coach has personally overseen the day-to-day recovery. He has consulted doctors, physical therapists and the player himself to see first hand how would evolve Sahin. Mourinho wanted to care of him, knowing that his contribution to the team will be critical. Even Zinedine Zidane, first team football manager and confidant of Mourinho, has become the great defender and a kind of Sahin's elder brother in the dressing room. During these early months, Zizou is helping in the adaptation of the Turkish player in Madrid.

With Nuri Sahin about to join the group and Neymar dressed in white from January (except monumental surprise) Mourinho will have available to a template that, as he himself acknowledges, is short "by choice", but also the best he has coached throughout his career. A template prepared to win it all.

Squad: Nuri Sahin (15)

Nuri Sahin

Sahin was born on 5 September 1988 in Ludenscheid, Germany. His early football days can be traced back to Meinerzhagen prior to joining Borussia Dortmund's academy in 2001. On 6 August 2005, Sahin set a record by becoming the youngest player to debut in the Bundesliga in a match against Wolfsburg. Three months later (26 November), he also became the youngest player to score in the Bundesliga with a goal against Nuremberg.

His international career has been equally as successful. Sahin played and won the European Championship with Turkey's Under-17 side at the age of 16. He later participated in the Under-17 World Cup, and despite falling to Brazil in the semifinals, Sahin was one of the best players in the championship and finished as the second highest scorer of the competition. He debuted for Turkey in October 2005 against Germany and became the youngest player to ever score for his country.

Data

• Place of Birth: Ludenscheid, Germany
• Date of Birth: 05/09/1988
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 65 kg
• Height: 179 cm
• Nationality: Turkish/German

Honours

• KNVB: 2008
• La Liga (Spanish League): 2011/12
• Bundesliga: 2010/11
• UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship: 2005

Nuri Sahin is training at Valdebebas Sports City

Sahin was training yesterday at Valdebebas Sports City for the first time since joining Real Madrid. The player with Turkish origin came to training center in the morning and he could see the facilities and was very satisfied with what will be his workplace during the next six seasons.

The Turkish international was training alone for an hour and a half, and the positive note for Madrid is that he did not feel any discomfort in the knee he injured last April 17 in the match against Freiburg. Sahin will continue work during this week to forget the months of inactivity. He wants to catch up physically to be able to keep pace with his peers from the beginning of the preseason (on July 11).

Nuri Sahin at Valdebebas Sports City

After training in Valdebebas, Sahin went with his girlfriend and some family members to his new home to begin preparations for the move. The idea of the player is to have all prepared in the new home before traveling on July 11 to the U.S.A. with the team to the preseason stage. Thus, he could start the season only focused on football.

After finalizing the details of his new home, he moved to Mirasierra Suites Hotel, where he is now staying. Sahin just not made ​​statements to the media waiting for him, but expressed his happiness to be already in the capital of Spain: "I am happy in Madrid. Thank you". His family also declined to talk. His father just showed the satisfaction that them live in the beginning of this new stage: "This is great. Real Madrid is best team in the world".

The Sahin's next step will be to meet Mourinho, but will have to wait until the coach returns from vacation this weekend. Varane and Callejon will be the next Real Madrid signings to train at Valdebebas Sports City. Both will arrive in Madrid in the coming days.

Nuri Sahin: 100 balls and 10 million euro

Meinerzhagen is a town of 22,000 people, located in the west of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Nuri Sahin (1988) grew with his parents and brother, Ufuk. During the harsh winter, while German children dreamed of jump off the ski jump of the town (38-meter ramp), Nuri had eyes only for football. He arrived at his first team, Meinerzhagen RSV 1921, at six years old, a club which currently has 14 teams.

The club president Winfried Hösel, keeps a photo of 1998 when the Real Madrid player was wearing the blue shirt of RSV Meinerzhagen: "We have no trophy room, but in the bar along with several scarfs, flags and medals we look with pride the photo that Nuri Sahin signed to us some years ago", recounts Hösel.

Mr. Maikranz and Nuri Sahin

His first coach was Mr. Maikranz who is still working in the club: "From day one I knew he would play in the best teams! He was always the best in all categories. The pain came when Borussia signed him. We get 100 balls and a lot of jerseys", he recalls. Sahin played from 1994 to 2001 in the RSV Meinerzhagen until he signed for Borussia. Just four years later, the Turkish-German became the youngest player to debut in the Bundesliga with 16 years and 335 days.

Ufuk Sahin (1986) is the older brother of Nuri and plays in the first team of Meinerzhagen: "When we were kids, he was the star of my team, despite being younger than us. I hope the same will happen in the Real Madrid". Real Madrid paid 10 million euros.

Nuri Sahin: Most promising young player

Internet users of FIFA.com believe that Nuri Sahin is the most promising young player in the world ahead of Barcelona's target, Alexis Sanchez, and other players like Pastore, Gareth Bale, Ganso and Hazard. According to fans around the world who responded to the question "Which player has more promising future?" The new white player has so far 54.7 percent of the vote.

Nuri Sahin

Although FIFA's website does not specify the total number of votes received in the survey, only the percentage, the difference with the second, Alexis Sanchez, is significant. Chilean striker has won 25.7 percent of the vote, less than half of those who have achieved Sahin so far.

Turkish-German midfielder has had the benefit of his great last season in the Bundesliga. Not only won the title, has also been voted player of the year in Germany by the German players' union and also in a survey in Kicker magazine in which all players playing in the Bundesliga have voted.

Sahin's gap from the rest of young talent that FIFA has chosen is even more important. The third in the percentage of votes is Javier Pastore (Palermo, 6.9%), then the bullet Gareth Bale (Tottenham, 6.1 %), while the next is Ganso,(Santos, 3.9%. FIFA did not include Neymar) and the laggard is Hazard (Lille, 2.6%).

While Internet users recognize his worth, Real Madrid player lies in the Turkish coast, but is intended to cut part of his vacation to start training although has already recovered from the ligament of his right knee (suffered a tear at the end of last season with Borussia Dortmund). The player, who already has a home in Madrid, will begin preparing since early July to reach the pre-season training with an advantage.