Who Will Have The Biggest Impact: Cristiano, Ricky or Zlatan?

By: chris | July 28th, 2009

It’s been a big, big summer for transfers headed to Espana, in case you hadn’t noticed. Whilst many in Spanish football checking the couch cushions for the next payroll, Barcelona and Real Madrid have been spending their recession-proof euros as though featuring an expiration date. More than €150m for the Crissy & Ricky dreamboat team and another €66m worth of cash & Cameroonian for the SuperSwede.

But which one will make the biggest impact? Which will either turn the tide in La Liga or keep the dominance running in place?

Each, obviously, has plenty going in his favor, with or without his own talent. Cristiano and Rickey can play off each other, while Zlatan gets to play with that Messi, Xavi & Iniesta mighty midget trio. The Real duo have the opportunity to mold the team to their liking and Zlatan gets to walk into the world’s quintessential team – one which can operate smoothly without him.

They’re not without fault – some (many) say that Cristiano was perfectly-suited to the Prem, Kaka has a tendency to disappear at random and Zlatan goes missing during big games – but still with enough ability to more than make up for their shortcomings.

Spain is clearly the place to be, so who will be king?

Who will have the biggest impact?(polls)

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Category: Spain La Liga

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Kd

I fully agree with Brian. Inter hardly had a playmaker. Zlatan had to do all by himself. Very similar was his situation at Juve with an aging Nedved. Ditto with the national side. And with a side boasting of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi I doubt he'd have problems scoring goals.
My prediction is he will be a 20+ goal scorer this season and I think with the tactics a bit tweaked and full backs delivering more crosses in the box a lot more headers.
Visca el Barca
Jennifer

..Or Benzema?
Corbin

wheres the michael owen option?
Alexis

In my opinion, desppite being a Barca fan, it will be Ronaldo and Kaka. Why? They were so awful as a team last year that any minimum improvement will be highly noticed. They both are top class players.

As per Barcelona, it is the opposite. It will be really hard to equal last season's football and silverware.

However, I rate Zlatan as the best improvement for Barcelona. They were accused of not having plan B against teams like Chelsea...well, now they have plan B, C and D.
Oli Davies

Kaka will definately have the biggest impact, because there is so much to do at Real. He will be the reason Real have a chance this season.

Ronaldo can produce a wonderful moment, but can't really run a team, and can't match up to Messi.

Zlatan could well be just what players like Messi and Iniesta need to really be their best, and will have a huge inpact, but, because there is already a efficient attacking force at Barca, he won't be running the show.
luna

Ok all of this talk of Zlatan not being able to play in big games is annoying. I think this is posted from people who don't watch Serie A. A narrative gets spun and people pick up on it...like yeah you know Obama was not born in the United States, LMAO!
elle

Zlatan, based on process of elimination. I think that all the superstars at Real will just end up stepping on each others boots. Kaka and Ronaldo are used to being the center of the team at their respective clubs, and they're definately not going to be anymore.

p.s. I am prepared to eat my words.
brian

i feel as though many of you aren't giving zlatan a fair assessment. all of inter's offense ran through him. he had to create just about every chance for himself. during these big games that he supposedly chokes he has had zero service. how can you expect him to make somethign out of nothin every game? he won't have those problems now with xavi and co.

that being said i dont know if zlatan will have the biggest impact of the three since barca was so much better than real to begin with. i do think that barca will still be better with zlatan than real with both ronnie and kaka and thats all that really matters i suppose.
Muhammed

Benzema will have the biggest impact. Him and Higuain wills core goals galore for Real.
Applesauce

Individually, I believe Ibra to be the most flawed out of the bunch. However, within the systems I easily see him making the most impact. Like chris noted, Barça operates fine without him, and for that reason I think he will be able to play his game up front. It sure doesn't hurt to have Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta surrounding you.
Joel (not the same one)

I also believe Kaka because he's all about the football. The other 2 are all about themselves playing football. As much as I respect Barca, I wonder what they're going to gain out of this Zlatan deal.
Joel

I believe that Kaka will make the biggest impact. If you see his play he is truly so smart and a genius in football terms. Plus Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo can be selfish at many times and Kaka is not. I see Kaka being the main playmaker at Madrid. The pupeteer stringing along the main plays and the best goals Madrid will score.

Ibrahimovic will not play well in big games for Barcelona. And Ronaldo, will play well and will outshine Kaka in goals. However, I feel it will be like the Barcelona situation. Messi gets the goals but, the hard work is done by Iniesta. It will be Ronaldo getting the goals, but the hard work being done by Kaka.
Daryl

We could be talking negative impact too. I think Zlatan's too talented to fail at Barca, but if they struggle to find the net for whatever reason, he's going to shoulder some blame for not being Eto'o.
SP

when we're looking at impact, we have to look at who is being replaced too and i can't think that zlatan is really that much of an upgrade from eto'o as much as ronaldo and kaka are for any of the dutch real madrid players