Real Madrid coach
Bernd Schuster has hailed the impact made by new signing
Wesley Sneijder - and claimed he will be more valuable to the Spanish champions than
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder
David Beckham.
Holland winger Sneijder has made a sensational start to his Bernabeu career, scoring the winning goal against Atletico Madrid on the opening day of the season and following that with two goals in the 5-0 win at Villarreal on Sunday.
Schuster is delighted with how the 22-year-old, an $36.4 million signing from Ajax, has adapted to the Primera Liga.
Sneijder was signed to lift Madrid's squad following Beckham's move to the Galaxy, where he has signed a five-year deal worth up to $250 million.
Former Germany and Madrid midfielder Schuster believes the team is stronger.
He said: Beckham was a right winger more than anything else, and Sneijder, despite the fact that he has a similar touch on the ball to the Englishman, can cover more ground."
"Before signing him I talked to (former Holland and Madrid coach) Leo Beenhakker, who knows him well. We found out he can make good use of his shots if he plays down the left wing."
Schuster also had words of praise for Fabio Capello, who was sacked by Madrid at the end of last season despite leading the club to the Primera Liga title.
He said: I don't know how he must have felt. If I was him, I would have felt happy having won a title, but not so happy because I think I would have deserved to continue "
"
The title worked wonders in getting rid of any anxiety, but we must continue Some bad habits have stuck around. They are not due to Capello, but from the 'Galacticos' era. I'm talking about some work attitudes during the training sessions. Young players are easily influenced by that negative attitude and become part of the problem. That's why it's important other young players came in."