The English Real family

By Andy Hall

If Real Madrid CF's latest English recruits found the media spotlight a little too overpowering in their homeland, they are in for a real surprise as they embark on their first season in Spain's Primera División.

English trio
Dubbed the 'three Ingleses' by the Spanish media, Michael Owen, Jonathan Woodgate join David Beckham in Madrid knowing that few English players have managed recreate their former triumphs in Spain's top flight. The heat, change of culture, a demanding public and a new language are just some of the obstacles the new boys Owen and Woodgate now face.

New No11
Owen, handed the No11 shirt once worn by Paco Gento, was handed his debut in the 1-0 win at RCD Mallorca on Sunday and judging by his first minutes, still needs time to settle. He did, however, manage to win over fans and local press by supplying the cross for the only goal of the game, chested home by Ronaldo at the far post.

Second fiddle
Owen is well aware that he is coming into a ready-made team of 'Galácticos' - unless injury or suspension hits Bernabéu favourites Raúl González, Fernando Morientes and Ronaldo, he is more than likely to start on the substitutes bench. He said: "I am up against three of the top strikers in the world. I have to make sure that I am up to their standard."

Questionable signing
The former Liverpool FC striker's arrival received a mixed response from Madrid's supporters, many of whom would have preferred reinforcements in defence and midfield to fill the holes left by the departures of Claude Makelele and Fernando Hierro. Indeed, many believe Owen was only bought because of the clubs failure to sign Arsenal FC linchpin Patrick Vieira.

Defensive reinforcements
However, such criticism was to some degree quelled by coach José Antonio Camacho's acquisition of defenders Walter Samuel and Woodgate. However, the pressure on them will be high. In recent seasons, there has been an exodus of defensive players - Aitor Karanka, Iván Campo and more recently, youth team prodigy Rubén González - who failed to make the grade in the fans' eyes.

Demanding role
Nonetheless, should the Englishman manage to forge the right kind of partnership with Samuel and rediscover the form that marked him out for stardom at Newcastle United FC, there is hope. Madrid's cavalier attacking approach places huge demands on the two men at the centre of defence, but the rewards for succeeding at the most successful club in Europe are there for all to see.

Beckham as mentor
Now in his second season at the Santiago Bernabéu, Beckham is now established and will be able to take his English compatriots through the rudiments of the Spanish game. It may not be as physical and lightning-paced as the English Premiership but from Pamplona to La Coruna, every team in the Primera División has something to offer, and all are keen to perform against Madrid.

Winning ambitions
Mallorca certainly made that point to Owen on Sunday. "Now I realise just how difficult it is to come away with the three points in the Primera División," he said after the game. However, the fact that the road ahead is tough has not dimmed the striker's ambition. "I have come here to win trophies," he warned. "I have come to one of the best clubs in the world and not to win anything here would be a disaster."