Portsmouth coach Johnny Metgod says Real Madrid have gaffed if in Lassana Diarra they think they've signed a direct replacement for knee injury victim Mahamadou Diarra.

Former Real midfielder Metgod said: "No, no. Madrid's Diarra is a very strong guy. Lassana is very small and plays the ball well. He has a good long and short passing range and very good vision.

"He is very intelligent and knows very well how to play. He, along with (Wesley) Sneijder and Guti will form a great centre of the field."

Metgod added: "He is a man who is always looking for the ball, in the style of (Fernando) Gago. Madrid has not chosen wrong with him, while recognizing that he's not like (Rafael) Van der Vaart and Sneijder, who are always looking for the goal."