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03rd Jun 2015

Raheem Sterling will be delighted with Rafa Benitez’ first Real Madrid press conference

Come as you are

Patrick McCarry

Less than an hour in the job and Rafa was already breaking his own rules.

The former Liverpool and Napoli boss was, today, unveiled as the new coach of Real Madrid.

After getting slightly emotional at his official unveiling, at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Benitez was forced to answer queries on potential summer recruits.

Benitez told reporters, ‘We admire Raheem, that’s no secret – but he is not one of our players so I can’t really comment on him.’

The Spaniard’s comments on Sterling, who is contracted to Liverpool for another two seasons, seemed to contradict his stance on potential transfer targets only minutes later.

Asked if a deal had been lined up for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, Benitez smiled ruefully.

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He declared, ‘I like the way you have tried to sneak that question under the radar but we will evaluate everything in time. We will not name names today.’

Except for Raheem Sterling, of course.

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