Catch-up Time

By: dan_c | July 8th, 2011

Ladies and Gents I have returned to the world, and I’m sure it is clear that I have had a lot of catching up to do. I will do my best summarise the current and recent news of Valencia. Apologies for any repetition or old news. So…

Are we clever with our transfers, or do we splash cash and suffer financially later?

This question relates to our recent transfer dealings. On the one hand…

Fernandes Joins Besiktas

This simple phrase initially doesn’t sound too bad until one considers that we let him leave for just 2m euros after signing him for 18m. Couple this with Joaquin’s move to Malaga City and we have this equation.

Joaquin bought for 25m euros

Sold for 4m

Fernandes bought for 18m

Sold for 2m

Therefore

25m – 4m (Joaquin) + 18m – 2m (Fernandes) = 43m – 6m = 37m euro loss

We all know Valencia’s financial situation. We made very good money on the sales of The Two Davids this time last year, but this stat completely undoes the good work it seems!

While Joaquin didn’t feature significantly in the side last season and Fernandes spent time away from Spain on loan, and so neither players exit will impact the squad negatively, from a financial viewpoint these sales are perplexing. Joaquin did eat into our wage budget in a big way so maybe that is more understandable, but 4m seems too cheap for me.

Fernandes however is a good player. He fell out of favour with Emery but he has ability far beyond his selling price. He has proven himself good enough to play at top level in Portugal, England and I would argue Spain too. At 25 he is far from reaching his full ability as a footballer. Yet he was allowed to go for the amount of money it took for Ipswich Town (a mid-table English second division team) to buy Michael Chopra, an average striker who didn’t cut in the Premier League.

I don’t understand. What is Llorente’s motive for brokering deals that make no business sense.

On the other hand…

Piatti and Parejo Arrive in Valencia

These two signings look to be extremely clever buys. Piatti, despite being stuck in an extremely weak Almeria team last year, shone in La Liga. He will fit straight into the Valencia mould as a small, quick, nimble-footed, intelligent asset. At a knockdown price, I am delighted to see him join the club. Llorente described him as a great player, one who is extremely versatile, being able to play across the midfield and create opportunities with his creativity and vision. He cost just 8m euros reportedly, and looks a great signing. He has already won the Argentinean Clausara Championship too with Estudiantes and the U20 World Championships with Argentina.

Piatti

Dani Parejo also arrived in Valencia. There is great excitement among fans in Spain over the move, and around 500 travelled to the VCF campus to welcome him.

Chief Administrative Braulio Vázquez gave an explanation for Valencia’s pursuit of Parejo.

“ I can assure you that Dani ticks all the boxes for us. He is young -22 years old- and a European Champion. He has a lot of international experience and has played for Real Madrid and in England. He has great vision on the pitch and a fantastic shot. Bringing good, young players is always the most difficult task in the transfer market. Thanks to Valencia CF, I’m sure that Parejo will soon be a full international for Spain.”

Parejo explained that Juan Mata influenced his decision. They discussed the move during the victorious U21 campaign and Mata sold the club to Dani.

Valencia certainly now have a midfield to challenge all in La Liga. While maybe not quite on the level of Xavi/Iniesta et al yet, we are well on the way it seems.

Dani looks to be a clever buy, a young talent who can and will blossom Los Che.

daniel_parejo2

So I am still confused. Are we at all good on the transfer market? Someone with an answer would be welcome.

Should we be worried about Mata?

Let’s not beat about the (stupidly) proverbial bush here. Mata is wanted. He is an incredible player. He could start for virtually any side in the world right now. He has won the World Cup and the Euro U21 Championship in just a year. He is only 23. He is held in high regard in England. Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man U, Spurs and others have been linked.

Will he leave? There certainly have been mixed messages.

In an interview recently Llorente explained that, while Mata wanted to stay, Valencia would not “chain anyone to a chair” if they wanted to leave. Mata Senior has been cryptic too. An English paper quoted him as saying that “There have been calls from foreign clubs but now the decision rests with Valencia. [Juan] is on his holidays,”

Unfortunately, while media around the world is becoming better and better and sucking transfer rumours out of their thumbs when there is nothing going on, where there is smoke there is fire and, like with the Luka Modric and Samir Nasri situations in England, where there is this much smoke, there is undoubtably fire.

Reports speculate that the fee accepted by Valencia would be around 25m euros. This is far too little for me for a player of his quality. While we have a wonderful midfield, losing Mata would be huge. Let’s hope that Piatti wasn’t signed as a direct replacement.

Llorente speaks on Transfers to Come

Llorente recently revealed in an interview that for the rest of Valencia’s transfer campaign, the defence would be the focus. He is admittedly desperate to strengthen the backline, although if an excellent deal for another player rocks up he will consider it.

He also expressed his delight with Valencia’s “perfect finish” last year and explained that the tough place that Los Che are in financially thwarted the deal for Kevin Gameiro.

Finally, he explained that Aduriz is not for sale.

Other Transfer rumours

Reports claimed that Christian Chivu turned down a move to Valencia, as Los Che couldn’t satisfy his huge wage request. I am glad that this transfer never happened. Chivu was good for Roma but has been unreliable and woeful at times for Inter over the past while.

It seems unlikely that Miguel will leave, despite reports of a bad relationship with Emery. He is settled in Valencia and wants to see out his contract.

Andres Guardado has been linked again. The Mexican, currently with Deportivo, who we relegated on the final day of last season, has been billed as a replacement for Mata. There is a distinct sense of déjà vu about this rumour. Almost this exact story was published last season, when Mata was being similarly coveted, and Guardado was earmarked as the best replacement possible.

Jordi Alba was linked with Barcelona in the last few days. He is apparently seen by Pep G as a replacement for Maxwell.

Emery’s Fears

Unai Emery has recently voiced concerns at the threat that clubs like Getafe and Malaga will pose to the established order in the coming months and years. He sees the top-half regulars like Sevilla, Villarreal, Valencia and Athletico coming under attack from the new-money clubs.

To quote: “It will be a difficult league, harder if possible seeing how some teams have been strengthened as Malaga, Athletic, including Getafe. They will try to catch the group of Villarreal, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, which always start as candidates to enter the Champions League, “

“We will try to follow the line of the last two seasons, but taking steps forward in all three competitions in the form of points in the league and the Champions League qualifier and in the Cup,”

Valencia Kit 2011 2012, Joma’s first attempt

There was concern over the various monstrosities that Joma could produce, but I am happy with their attempt. The designs are simple and stylish. Maybe this is a year for a new replica shirt to join the others in my wardrobe.

Valencia-11-12-Shirts