2008-09 Player Rankings

By: Cesar | June 3rd, 2009

Now, we come to the season’s player rankings, where I give you my opinion on how the players did.

I’ll review their performance, tell you whether I think we should keep or sell the guy and then grade him. What’s this based on? Nothing but my gut.

Mind you, I make these reviews based on who I think we should trim and not in consideration of who we might buy. There’s lots of speculation on who may come in, but until we sort out our budget, we’re in stand still. So I’m saying a player should stay or leave based on our need to trim the squad and my own personal likes and dislikes, nothing more.

Let’s get to it, eh?

For a ‘complete’ review of the season that was, please check out yesterday’s post.

Goalkeepers

Cesar - A midseason acquisition from Tottenham Hotspur, brought over due to starter Renan’s injury. Cesar did a TREMENDOUS job for us, keeping us in matches and making incredible, acrobatic saves. He’s almost 38 and in the twilight of his career, but I don’t see how we don’t bring him back. – Keep. A-

Renan - He looked shaky at times, but it was his first season in Spain and he’s a spry 24. He’s the ‘keeper of the immediate future. Or at least until Cesar decides to retire to his walker. I’m not sold on Renan. I hope he works on his game this off-season. – Keep. B-

Vicente Guaita – I feel kind of bad for the 22-year old. He had his chance to show his mettle taken away when Cesar was brought in after Renan’s injury. He did play well against Maritimo in the UEFA Cup, but one game isn’t enough to judge someone. He spent the rest of the season as the 3rd-string ‘keeper and intern at Manolo’s. – Keep. Incomplete.

Defenders

Raul Albiol - Albiol earned the nickname ‘Raul Albi-OWN-goal’ for his penchant for putting the ball in the Valencia net, not the opposition’s. He’s considered one of Spain’s hot young defenders and I’m not sure why. Sure, the lad has talent. But he often loses his concentration. And you know it’ll be a muppet show when he’s in the center. He’s chaotic at best and being scouted by a host of big name clubs. He’s still developing at the spry young age of 23. And he’s a local lad and vice-captain. You can’t knock those credentials, whatever they mean. Let’s see how he does next season. – Keep. B-

Carlos Marchena - I have a love/hate thing with Marchena. I love having an instigator on the team, a guy that gets under the opposition’s skin a la Fernando Hierro of the early ‘00 Real Madrid squads. You hated the guy because he was such a pest, such an incessant presence. Problem with Marchena is that he’s a pest not only for the opposition, but for us. He gets a yellow card guaranteed just about ever match. He makes silly tackles. He makes that stupid Marchena Face. He sometimes forgets he’s a defender and wrecks havoc with our defense. If a good offer came in for him, I’d say bye. He is our captain. I’m still not sure why. – Leave. B-

Asier del Horno - Came over with a ton of fan fare from Chelsea but adapted better to the night clubs than the pitch. He’s been injured almost every other week. Still, he did a decent job when he was out there, save marking Arjen Robben at the Bernabeu early in the season. I believe he’s staying, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him dance away to Bunnies or elsewhere. – Leave. C

Thiago Carleto - To be fair, the lad played like 10 minutes. He showed signs of brilliance, but the 20-year old is very, very green. He’ll be ok. – Keep. Incomplete.

Miguel - The big-boned Portuguese international thinks he’s Roberto Carlos or Dani Alves, constantly rushing forward to pass the ball into the third tier of the Mestalla or have some counter attacker pass by him and exploit his empty defending space. Many big clubs are sniffing around the 29-year old’s backside and I think the time is right to let him go. – Leave. C

Emiliano Moretti - He’s grown on me. What can I say? He played intelligent football this year and even when he went forward, did so in a way as to get back to his duties quickly. We’re probably replacing him with someone else, but I’d love to have him around. I never thought I’d ever ever ever say this, but Moretti did a good job this season. – Keep. B

Alexis - The shaggy-haired 23-year old spent nearly 2 months injured, but proved to be a strong presence when on the field. He’s an intelligent defender, quick, spry and sharp with his tackles. Here’s one reason Albiol should stay: He and Alexis could develop into a lethal center back duo. Alexis has the talent and so does Albiol. It’s a matter of staying healthy and driving the ball away from your own net. Still, Alexis is a keeper. He’s solid. – Keep. B

Curro Torres - Manolo’s best bar back will be missed. He didn’t play except for the few minutes he got at the end of the last match of the season. But who’ll forget the way he poured the Mahou at Manolo’s? You’re already missed, Curro! – Leave. Incomplete.

Midfield

Hedwiges Maduro - He’s a midfielder primarily used as a central defender this season. For a guy that had never played defense before, he sure did a good job. Sure, he let some easy balls by. But he displayed cunning ball skills, a good range and decent footballing acumen. I think he really developed into a good footballer this season. He’ll either continue to start in central defense or cede the position to Alexis and move up to central defensive midfielder. Either way, I’d be comfortable. – Keep. A

David Albelda - I love Albelda for everything he’s given to the club. But it’s time for him to leave. It’s not so much that he’s regressed as a player, which he clearly has. It’s that his time here has just run its course. The high light of his season had to be when he played right back against Villarreal in early January. He did an admirable job, but his error cost us a goal. He’s still a good player. But I do think we need to move forward without him. – Leave. B-

Ruben Baraja - I feel much the same about Baraja, the 87-year old midfielder from Valladolid. He’s done a lot here. But I’m leaning towards keeping him for some reasons. First, he can help out whatever young talent we’ll get in that position. Second, he can come off the bench and inject some creative energy for the 10 minutes or so Emery will give him. Third, he can tell everyone what it was like in the old days, when he’d walk to school in 15 inches of snow. Seriously, he can be that link between the championship years and the current squad. I just wish he didn’t take those wild laser shots from 30 yards out. Please stop that, Pipo. – Keep. B-

Michel Angel Angulo - Did he even play this season? I honestly don’t remember. In any case, he needs to go. Now. Good bye. – Leave. Incomplete.

Vicente - I LOVE Vicente. Love. Love. Love. In a totally heterosexual way, of course. If he hadn’t been injured so much and if Valencia’s doctors could have diagnosed his issues earlier, maybe we’d be talking about one of the world’s greatest footballers. Now, it’s clear Emery doesn’t have much faith in Vicente, not inserting the local lad when he needs some flair, creativity or energy on the left in place of Mata. When he comes in, he’s a house on fire. He scored 6 goals this season and from what I remember, he provided some much needed energy and passion when on the pitch.
I want more Vicente. I want to see him dazzle as he should. I want one full season with him on the field. I want to imagine what could have been. Please keep him. For me? – Keep. B

Juan Mata - The boy’s growing into a man right in front of our eyes. He’s so talented, it’s scary. He has his off moments, especially when passing the ball. But he’s clutch. Remember that late goal against Sporting Gijon a few months back? Mata’s only 21 and the sky’s the limit for this former Real Madrid youth team player. Can anyone explain to me HOW they let him go for free? He’s staying … or else. – Keep. A-

Joaquin - His toothy grin aside, Joaquin’s time at Valencia has been a disappointment. He’s never reached the heights he did as a Real Betis player who was coveted by every big club in the world. Now he’s a stepover show pony, making some nice moves here and there and making us guffaw at his pretty moves. But they hardly lead to anything but the opposition getting the ball. He had a brilliant last match of the season. But he’s inconsistent. If he stays, let’s hope he’s motivated to be picked for the World Cup squad. He still has the talent. He just needs to focus. – Leave. C

Manuel Fernandes - The guy’s so tough, he played an hour with a broken leg and just shrugged it off! I adore Manuel. I think he’s blossoming into a formidable defensive midfielder or even offensive midfield presence. He’s got range, speed, quickness, pace and vision. He needs to channel his concentration some. He seems to lose himself in the match at times. But I like what I’ve seen from the Portuguese. He’s front and center at what VCF needs to do going forward – tough guys that like to play football. – Keep. A

Pablo Hernandez - This guy blossomed this season. He’s creative, has pace and excellent ball skills. I feel he should start next season. He’s got a wonderful sight for the net and scored excellent goals against both Madrid and Barcelona. When I think of Pablo, I see his funky haircut running down the side of the pitch, gutting a helpless defender and then running towards the net, directing the rest of the offense. Will he pass? Will he shoot? You just don’t know. He’s incisive and very, very good. – Keep. A+

David Silva - Dave’s a cunning midfielder who also does a great job as a supporting striker. He was injured for almost half the season but still managed flashes of brilliance. He’s deceptive, incisive and a wonderful offensive asset to any club, simply because he draws so many defenders from the striker and opens up the pitch. Besides that, he’s an excellent passer of the ball. Please, please keep him. – Keep. A-

Edu - When you speak of Edu, it’s hard not to think ‘what if’? He’s so talented. It’s such a shame not only for VCF but for Edu that he’s often injured. He should go and resurrect his career in his native Brazil, where Corinthians is rumored to be interested. He had a host of bad luck at Valencia after a wonderful spell at Arsenal. When on, he’s an excellent passer and a great fulcrum in the midfield. Good luck in whatever you do, mate. – Leave. B-

Hugo Viana - If he stays, he’s Manolo’s new Curro Torres. Because he ain’t playing with us. – Leave. Incomplete.

Michel - Is he a midfielder or a striker? I dunno. I don’t see what the hub bub is about this kid. He scored a goal in his debut game. So? I think he’s average at best. I guess he could be a cheap component off the bench. A set of legs. Maybe he’ll develop into something special and I just don’t see it? I dunno … – Keep. C

*We have a glut of talent in midfield, eh?*

Forwards

Fernando Morientes - Back in the day, one of the most lethal strikers in the game. This season, he looked disinterested and slow. It was his time to go and we wish him well doing whatever he does wherever he goes. – Leave. C

David Villa - Yikes, only two guys as strikers? That’s pathetic …

Anyways, El Guaje is our 2008-09 Valencia Offside Player of the Year! Congratulation, Mr. Villa …

28 goals. World’s best striker. Coveted by every big club in the world yet insists he wants to stay with us. Whatever do we do with him?

I could go on and on about the Asturian striker. But you know what he means to us. His display the last day of the season against Athletic Bilbao scared me some. He didn’t celebrate the goals and he looked dejected and sad. But what do I know? I’m not a mind reader.

In the interest of VCF the institution, I say we sell him and buy some decent replacements – if we have the budget for that. If not, I say we enjoy what we have and try to better the rest of the squad.

He’s 27 and in the peak of his career. The window’s open but it’ll only be open for so long. – Keep. A+

As for Unai Emery? I think he did a good job. What more could be expected of him, really? He tried to change the locker room atmosphere and worked with what he had. Sure, he made some questionable tactical decisions. But what team doesn’t? Fine job and I hope he stays.

And with that, I’m closing the book on 2008-09. What do you think? Did I miss anyone? Disagree with what I said? Have at it!