For anyone who understands the facts, it is hard to understand or justify the criticism leveled at Robinho in the wake of his transfer to Manchester City. Perhaps people conveniently ignore the facts to vent their real feelings over the acquisition of Manchester City and the transfer of Robinho. Perhaps that feeling is jealousy. The real sequence of events is as follows:
Real Madrid laid open their intentions to use Robinho as a pawn in bringing Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeau. Consequently, Real did not offer Robinho a new contract.
It was only when Real failed to land Ronaldo that they wanted to negotiate Robinho's contract.
As a professional player, Robinho had two options. He could negotiate a new contract and move on with life at the Bernabeau, or sulk at being treated like a second-rate player and demand a transfer.
With Chelsea interested in his services, Robinho wanted out. He wanted to join a club that would value him and not use him as a pawn in exchange for another player. That is exactly what he said. At that moment that club was Chelsea and he had reached the point where his mind was set on an exit to Chelsea, a top club.
But then Chelsea haggled with Real over the price. Real were reluctant to sell, although the player wanted to leave. When City, a club that doesn't pose any immediate challenge to Real Madrid, enquired, Real jumped at the offer.
Robinho, like any other normal person, weighed the options. Stay at Madrid or join City?
He chose the latter. His pay will be as good as at any other top European club, and his compatriots Jo and Elano are already at City. The club has rich new owners who can bring in more players like him in the transfer windows ahead. What more can a player ask for?
Isn't it hypocritical to berate the domination of the top four in the EPL and at the same time condemn top players who join clubs outside the top four?
Players, managers, and fans alike have harsh and taunting words for Robinho. How many of them have an idea of how Robinho was treated by Real Madrid? Like Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon said, Robinho came to him crying to be allowed to leave. (He denied, he cried, but you get the picture?)
We have read in the papers that Robinho will be used as a pawn in a potential Ronaldo deal, but how many of us have tried to put ourselves in Robinho's shoes? Did Real Madrid always answer his agent's calls? Did the president or coach have a conversation with him besides saying "hello"? Was he treated like one of the Real Madrid first team players?
In their arrogance, Real Madrid could have treated Robinho like an ex-player and for that reason he simply had to move to any club that could match his ambition and Real's valuation.
That club happened to be Manchester City. It wasn't Robinho's fault that Chelsea and Real couldn't agree on a fee or that Barcelona, Manchester United, and other top clubs didn't make an offer.
Robinho should be considered to be brave in joining a club like City, knowing that he can contribute to their transformation. Every player is, after all, a mercenary (not a slave!), except for the few homegrown players like Steven Gerrard.
But the cowards will never take a chance and join a team that is on the up. They would rather sit on the bench of a team that is already there. How do such players have more ambition, ethics, love of football, or loyalty than Robinho?
City might not capture Torres, Ronaldo, Fabregas, and all the other top players linked with them, but certainly they should be allowed to sign any players who are not happy at their clubs. After all, they can afford to buy any player in the world!
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