Schalke defender Christoph Metzelder fears Nuri Sahin may not be given the opportunity to truly establish himself at Real Madrid.
The 31-year-old Metzelder played for Real between 2007 and 2010 but made only 23 league appearances during an injury-hit spell, and he feels there is every chance midfielder Sahin may encounter similar problems as his career at the Santiago Bernabeu begins to unfold.
“If you arrive and don’t take off immediately, no-one will wait for you at this club,” Metzelder told AS.
“Real Madrid won nine of their first 10 games, so you need to be successful from the beginning. I think it will be difficult for him (Sahin).”
“He is a player that lacks some pace, but a very good player nonetheless. With (Sami) Khedira next to him, he would do even better. He is not a strategist like Xabi (Alonso), but more like (Mesut) Ozil, albeit playing a little deeper.”
Metzelder said being a free agent did not help his own cause at Real, compared to the likes of Pepe and Fabio Cannavaro who commanded large fees in the same era.
“My lack of continuity was not only down to injuries, but the competition was so great. There were situations where I felt every confidence from the club, and some when I did not,” Metzelder said.
“To succeed in Madrid, you have to be more than just a good player. You have to be a star and demand that the club pays big money for you. Me being a free transfer was a disadvantage.”
Sahin has registered just five appearances for Madrid this season, since his summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund, scoring once in the Copa del Rey.
