Florentino's Finally Here.

In other finally-it-is-official news Florentino Perez is back for a second stint as president of Real Madrid. The Spanish press have been intoxicated with the Florentino-as-Savior story for a month now and have taken it to a level that questions their professionalism. The team he brings with him includes Jorge Valdano, who is invaluable, as general director and Zizou as special adviser. There are some talented people in positions of power, for sure, but the idea that the other superpower clubs around the world are mired in depression, waiting for the might Real Madrid to reclaim global dominance, is absurd and premature.

Perez's first tenure at Real Madrid was successful, but far from the golden age the Spanish press seem to remember. He was granted essentially limitless resources by the club which he used to purchase a string of big-money superstars from all corners of the world. During this time RM won 2 Spanish Leagues (a record equaled in his absence) and 1 Champions' League.

He takes over a side that is comfortably installed in the upper reaches of club and european football, but has miles to go to be at the absolute pinnacle of either. What makes his task a difficult one is not just that he is chasing an exceptional Barcelona, not only that he needs to sign players, and not only the lack of homegrown talent. The real challenge for Florentino is that Real Madrid need elite players in un-glamours positions. If all that were required for a return to glory were to splash cash on CR7 and a targetman like Drogba this would be a done deal. But if Perez wants to succeed he must simultaneously plug the holes in the squad and convince the organization and fans this is a better use of resources than big name attacking players.

At bare minimum Real Madrid need a ball-winning midfielder, a left back, and two central defenders. They probably need another wideman as well. Of their current roster only Sergio Ramos is a truly world-class defender. Heinze could platoon with someone else and is good for filling in but not the player he was when he captained United a few years back. Pepe at his best can be useful but from all accounts is not fit to return.

The guy Perez should make a top priority is Fernando from Porto. Put alongside Gago, who would then play as "double five" he would give them security in the midfield essential for taking on the truly heavyweights. Vidic or Chiellini would be ideal targets but realities at their current clubs take them off the board. He should target Maicon (which as an Inter fan would be a nightmare) and if he can't get a bite then maybe Chivu. Try to pry either Lucio or Demichelis from Bayern. And pick 2 defenders from other Spanish clubs. Guys like Capdevila, Pareja, or Squillaci. These names don't have the sparkling sexiness of Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery, or Kaka but they would do a lot more to transform Real Madrid from a perpetual Champs League entry to an actual winner.

Pellegrini has been brought on to replace Juande Ramos. He was clearly not the first choice and owes his new job mostly to the fact that Wenger and Mourinho opted to stay put. Still, he is not a bad pick. He has worked his way up from the relative obscurity of Chile and won everywhere he has gone. He was successful at River Plate, a job that comes with pressure, intensity, and scrutiny that rivals what he will face at RM, and has beat expectations at Villarreal, getting the most of his squad.