Manuel and Ricardo

"To the millions of Rossoneri fans I say my decision has been made. I have said I want to stay. Now please leave me in peace." - Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (better known as Kaká) hours before his father and AC Milan vicepresident Galliani may have sealed that decision in Madrid. Multiple Spanish sources, including ABC, AS, and Marca have already proclaimed his signing official, rumoring the deal to be in the area of 60 million euros. If we are to trust the integrity of Spain's footballing press... (insert witty comment on the lack of integrity in Spain's press as a whole) then Madrid supporters have cause for rejoicing. Simply put, Kaká is an immensely likable player. Kaká's presence in the merengue midfield will receive a warm welcome at the Bernabéu. Lass was last season's revelation, providing possession, passing, and steals with style and consistency. Kaká will give Madrid what it desperately needed in it's last campaign: the ability to move forward from midfield. Evidence of this great need lies in Raúl (who unfortunately not up to the task) being asked to fill this role.

Florentino Pérez has begun his second proyecto at Madrid (where there are no projects) by signing one or two Latin Americans. Manuel Pellegrini has been officially dubbed the "Wenger of La Liga" due to his consistency to finish near the top of the league while at the same time winning no trophies since a 2004 Intertoto cup. The Chilean 55 year old has done an impressive job in steering the yellow submarine towards respectable showings in the Champion's League, consistency in La Liga (last year's runners-up) , and managing an international roster burgeoning with talent. Pérez's second signing, bought from Milan (though officially belonging to Jesus) would mean that Marcelo will no longer be the only Brazilian blanco. The emerging cast also includes Zidane as advisor, Pardeza as sporting director, and Valdano as director-general, perhaps negatively tipping the chefs-to-kitchen ratio inside the illustrious club.

At the time of this writing there has been a flurry activity regarding the signing of Kaká. AS.com has taken down its messianic picture of the Brazilian raising his hands towards the heavens and has replaced it with a dubious looking Kaká with the headline "Ancellotti in for signing". Rumors are that Chelsea will outbid Madrid for the midfielder. Kaká has already shown a resiliency towards big money, turning down the 100 million pound offer from Manchester City. Money is unlikely to be the determining factor in Kaká's personal decision, and Pérez tends to have a certain knack for these things.

Regardless of what happens today, Pérez is intent on advancing a program of restoration at Madrid. Let us not forget that Pérez left the club in bitterness over a lack of success and discord within the locker room. Guardiola has just shown the footballing world what can be done when a club's high profile excesses are cut and discipline is restored. Kaká and Pellegrini are both sound moves towards this end.