Pellegrini to 'do a Keegan'

No, we don't mean that he will walk away only a few months into the season when things aren't going his way (let's face it - he's at Real Madrid - he'll be sacked long before then) nor that he will get a perm or fall off a bike racing other, less notable, sports stars.

What we actually mean is that he's going to use the same approach to tactics as, ex-Liverpool star and current former-Geordie Messiah, Kevin Keegan. Or rather he'll be forced to.

The 'Galacticos Project - Part Dos' has so far seen the big-money arrival of attackers Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo with Karim Benzema almost certain to follow, at a total cost nearing £170 million.

These new signings will join up with the likes of (deep breath): Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Klass-Jan Huntelaar, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, Gonzalo Higuain and, of course - Mr Real Madrid himself - Raul.

In comparison the sole defensive signing has been Raul Albiol for the comparativley measly sum of £8 million. While Kaka & co join up with an embarrasment of riches in attack, poor Raul will join up with an aging Salgado, injury-plagued Metzelder and pea-headed Pepe.

With Heinze linked with a move away and Fabio Cannavarro already gone, only right-back Sergio Ramos looks to have the class to be worthy of a place in a team alongside the likes of the aforementioned attackers. In fact, the only defender to be linked with Real is also a right-back; Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa.

As well as splashing the cash up-front, Real have also been linked with a big-money move for Liverpool duo Javier Macherano and, more likley, Xabi Alonso to strengthen an already packed midfield.

Florentino Perez is unlikley to be pleased at seeing, potentially, £200 million be spent on players only for half of them to be sat on the bench. Likewise, Real fans will not be best pleased if Raul goes missing from the line up too often.

This means Pellegrini will have the thankless task of fitting all the stars in the team, playing attractive football (which shouln't be too hard with players like Kaka and Ronaldo) and winning trophies, probabably all of them, if he wants to see out his contract.

So don't be suprised if Real turn up to the first game in La Liga looking like they're facing the wrong way at kick-off; they'll just be playing 2-4-4.