Kaka not fazed by new arrivals

Real Madrid playmaker Kaka says he does not fear competition from some of the club’s big-name new arrivals.

The Brazilian is out of favour at the Spanish champions, and was left of their squad for the side’s recent Super Cup win over Barcelona.

Coach Jose Mourinho has also brought in Luka Modric and Michael Essien this summer from Premier League sides Tottenham and Chelsea, but Kaka sees their arrival as a positive move for the club.

“There are incredible players in the squad here, and the arrivals of Luka Modric and Essien have made the group even more competitive, but it’s a positive kind of competition,” Kaka said.

“These types of players are necessary because, over the course of the season, changes have to be made, and as we have seen in the last few years, the team is the most important thing, not just specific players.”

Real face a tough test in the group stages of the Champions League this season, drawn against Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.

But Kaka has welcomed the stiff competition, and believes it is exactly what the squad needs.

“It’s a tough group, a group made up of champions – the English, Spanish, German and Dutch champions – so clearly it is a strong group,” Kaka said.

“For us that’s a good thing because you have to start strong in the Champions League as it’s such an important competition, and one the Madrid fans want us to win a tenth title in.

“So starting with a group this difficult, it will put us in good stead for the rest of the season.”

Mourinho’s side are back in league action against Sevilla on September 15, before hosting Manchester City three days later.