Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Real Madrid legend Raul still has a major part to play at the club.

After a summer of high profile spending, a splashing of the cash that has seen the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema arrive at the Bernabeu, many observers had thought that Raul may become surplus to requirements despite his legendary status at Real.

Not so says Real head coach Pellegrini.

"He's like an 18-year-old boy. I demand the maximum from my players and he always responds at a high level," Pellegrini said of the player who made his senior debut at Real Madrid in 1994.

"Whether he plays or is on the bench he acts the same. He is his own motivation and is an example for his teammates and anyone who wants to play football.

"He still has the desire to win, after winning everything."

With the football calendar as congested as ever, Pellegrini also declared that he is delighted to have strength in depth, an absolute must for any club wanting to fight for honours on several fronts.

"In October and November we will play eight games each month, six in September plus two internationals," he said.

"Raul, nor Kaka, nor Gonzalo Higuain, nor Ronaldo can play 24 games in three months. The minutes will be distributed among all players."

Raul scored the first of Real's three goals in their 3-2 defeat of Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend - the 224^th strike of his Los Blancos career.