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What happened next for Canales, Drenthe, Gago & Garay - how Real Madrid's summer exits are faring at their new clubs in 2011-12
Almost six months on from the close of the summer transfer window, Goal.com looks at the fortunes of half a dozen former Santiago Bernabeu stars since departing the Spanish side
Jan 12, 2012 1:00:00 PM
ANALYSIS
By Ben Hayward, Luis Mira, Kris Voakes & Jonathan Birchall
For some players, Real Madrid is the pinnacle; the club brings out the best in their abilities and raises their game to a whole new level. For others, it's just too much of an ask and they are forced to search for success elsewhere.
Six players left the Spanish side last summer, be it to seek experience before returning for a second chance in the future, or to start a new chapter at a new club.
Here, Goal.com takes a look at the fortunes of those footballers who departed the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer.
Canales came through the youth system at Racing Santander and was a shining light for his hometown club with some encouraging displays in 2008-09 as he helped the Cantabrians narrowly avoid relegation.
That form saw him linked with Madrid and the youngster signed with the capital club in January 2010, spending the rest of the campaign on loan with Racing. But his form dipped and by the time he had arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, so had Jose Mourinho.
Canales therefore joined Valencia on loan and following some subdued showings early on he started to find his feet. Unfortunately, a knee ligament injury means he is currently sidelined for six months and he may even have to wait for next season, where he will remain on loan at Mestalla.
Despite claiming that he would need a year to adapt to Everton's "hard-working" style shortly before Christmas, Royston Drenthe has already provided a number of moments to brighten up an otherwise miserable first half to the season on the blue half of Merseyside.
The reluctance of David Moyes to start the Dutchman on a regular basis is perhaps understandable given the unorthodox manner in which the winger plays, but the injection of pace that he provides is an option that the Toffees are otherwise without.
As such, the famous Gwladys Street stand have taken the often controversial midfielder to their hearts and with highlights including a match-saving performance against Norwich and a superb 30-yard goal away to Fulham, evidence suggests the 24-year-old is finally feeling a little more settled.
Since leaving Madrid, Gago's combativity and energy in midfield has become one of the features of Roma's play. With Luis Enrique starting to see the fruits of his efforts to introduce a more energetic, pressing style at the Olimpico, Gago has quickly formed a key cog in the system.
It took him a while to get settled originally, and he has yet to start a league game since returning from suspension after his red card at Fiorentina, but his impressive performance in the cup win over the Viola on Wednesday proved he remains influential to the Giallorossi's cause.
Garay moved to Benfica in the summer as a six-month late addition to the club's rearguard following David Luiz's departure to Chelsea in January. The Portuguese side have done several good deals with Real Madrid in the last few years and this one is another example of that.
The Argentine defender has formed a great pairing with Luisao at the heart of Benfica's defence, to the point that the fans no longer miss Luiz. His no-nonsense playing style, compared with the now Chelsea man's energetic modus operandi, provides less strength to the attack, but more safety to the backline. Indeed, his nomination for Goal.com's European Team of the Season for the first half of 2011-12 shows that Garay has become a key member in Jorge Jesus' side this term.
Pedro Leon impressed Madrid with some stellar performances across the city at Getafe, but things never worked out for the winger at the Santiago Bernabeu as he fell out with Jose Mourinho and barely featured last season.
Back at Getafe on loan, the winger began to impress again and scored a spectacular long-range strike in a 3-2 defeat against Malaga. But a serious injury has kept him out for three months and only now is he ready to return to action.
Sarabia starred for the Real Madrid youth sides, but made just a solitary appearance for the first team in 2010-11 and was then surprisingly sold to Getafe in the summer for a fee of around €3 million.
He is seen by many Madrid fans as another bright talent that got away, although the club do retain a buy-back clause which they can activate after his second season at Getafe. There, he is clearly still adjusting to life in the top flight and although he has not been as creative as would have been hoped, he nevertheless looks as if he can go on to become a top player - perhaps even back at Madrid in the future.
By Ben Hayward, Luis Mira, Kris Voakes & Jonathan Birchall
For some players, Real Madrid is the pinnacle; the club brings out the best in their abilities and raises their game to a whole new level. For others, it's just too much of an ask and they are forced to search for success elsewhere.
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Six players left the Spanish side last summer, be it to seek experience before returning for a second chance in the future, or to start a new chapter at a new club.
Here, Goal.com takes a look at the fortunes of those footballers who departed the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer.
| SERGIO CANALES | Moved to Valencia on loan |
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That form saw him linked with Madrid and the youngster signed with the capital club in January 2010, spending the rest of the campaign on loan with Racing. But his form dipped and by the time he had arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, so had Jose Mourinho.
Canales therefore joined Valencia on loan and following some subdued showings early on he started to find his feet. Unfortunately, a knee ligament injury means he is currently sidelined for six months and he may even have to wait for next season, where he will remain on loan at Mestalla.
| ROYSTON DRENTHE | Moved to Everton on loan |
 READ MORE ON ROYSTON DRENTHE |
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The reluctance of David Moyes to start the Dutchman on a regular basis is perhaps understandable given the unorthodox manner in which the winger plays, but the injection of pace that he provides is an option that the Toffees are otherwise without.
As such, the famous Gwladys Street stand have taken the often controversial midfielder to their hearts and with highlights including a match-saving performance against Norwich and a superb 30-yard goal away to Fulham, evidence suggests the 24-year-old is finally feeling a little more settled.
| FERNANDO GAGO | Moved to Roma on loan |
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It took him a while to get settled originally, and he has yet to start a league game since returning from suspension after his red card at Fiorentina, but his impressive performance in the cup win over the Viola on Wednesday proved he remains influential to the Giallorossi's cause.
| EZEQUIEL GARAY | Moved to Benfica on a permanent deal |
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The Argentine defender has formed a great pairing with Luisao at the heart of Benfica's defence, to the point that the fans no longer miss Luiz. His no-nonsense playing style, compared with the now Chelsea man's energetic modus operandi, provides less strength to the attack, but more safety to the backline. Indeed, his nomination for Goal.com's European Team of the Season for the first half of 2011-12 shows that Garay has become a key member in Jorge Jesus' side this term.
| PEDRO LEON | Moved to Getafe on loan |
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Back at Getafe on loan, the winger began to impress again and scored a spectacular long-range strike in a 3-2 defeat against Malaga. But a serious injury has kept him out for three months and only now is he ready to return to action.
| PABLO SARABIA | Moved to Getafe on a permanent deal |
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He is seen by many Madrid fans as another bright talent that got away, although the club do retain a buy-back clause which they can activate after his second season at Getafe. There, he is clearly still adjusting to life in the top flight and although he has not been as creative as would have been hoped, he nevertheless looks as if he can go on to become a top player - perhaps even back at Madrid in the future.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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