Valdano goes on the offensive

While Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz steps up his quest to sign a central defender for the start of the season in a fortnight's time, the club's sporting director Jorge Valdano insisted the defenders the club already possess are of Ferrari-like quality.

Real have an abundance of midfield and attacking quality without parallel in the world club game - but defence has long been a relative weak point as witnessed by the five goals conceded over two games against Manchester United in the Champions League and Juventus.

The goals shipped in against the Italians resulted in elimination, and the failure to add a tenth European title to the domestic version won coach Vicente del Bosque the sack.

With talismanic Fernando Hierro having moved on after more than a decade as the rock at the heart of the Real defence, Valdano says Ivan Helguera, Francisco Pavon, Ruben and Julio Cesar, as well as wingback Roberto Carlos, can do a perfectly good job between them.

"The 'four wheels' at the back are Ferraris in themselves, you couldn't ask for more," was how a combative Valdano responded to local television station Telemadrid when cornered on the issue of a new defender.

Spanish media insist Queiroz is out to sign one of Philippe Mexes of French side Auxerre, Roma's Walter Samuel, Christoph Metzelder of Borussia Dortmund and Mario Yepes of French outfit Nantes.

Valdano is a keen admirer of Samuel but believes he could prove out of even Real's price range.

Valdano believes the money can stay in the bank - or at least until fringe players such as Steve McManaman have been sold.

"The first choice defence is as good as the rest of the team. It's among the best in the world - the only thing is it is a little short on numbers," Valdano conceded.

"We have Michel Salgado, who is a Spanish international, Roberto Carlos, a Brazilian international, Helguera who is likewise an (Spanish) international and Pavon who ought to be."

"You couldn't ask for more," said Valdano, who said the issue of who to target next if anyone was nothing to fret about."

"We'd feel more comfortable with another central defender - but there are various solutions and we won't go out and buy anyone."