Farewells and Celestial Football

By: Cesar | May 28th, 2009

The end of May is always a sad time for football fans.

Seasons end, fans either lament what could have been or rejoice in what was (see: Barcelona) and players start to pack their bags for other teams.

While speculation escalates over the economic and sporting future of Valencia CF, two players said their goodbyes to the club and the fans yesterday.

The first is striker Fernando Morientes, whose contract will not be renewed by Los Che, meaning he will become a free agent in June.

The 33-year-old has only scored once in La Liga this season, and the Spaniard is on the verge of changing clubs, with Real Zaragoza an option.

During an emotional press conference at the Mestalla, prior to the last game of the season, Morientes said: “I am here to say goodbye. This is my last-ever press conference as a Valencia player.

“[Regarding my future] nothing has been decided yet. I have received important offers and I am going to study them in order to make the best decision. Nothing is certain with Zaragoza.

“People gave me plenty of respect during these three years at the club – not only in the stadium but also in the town. They have to know that I am grateful to them for their affection and respect.

“We have not matched the club’s targets, and I have not matched my personal objectives, but you also learn from bad years. When I signed I said I wanted to win titles, and we did it with the Copa del Rey. What a great memory!”

The striker added that, should David Villa and David Silva move on, he would rather see them join Real Madrid than Barcelona.

Thanks for that last tidbit, Moro …

In all seriousness, Moro’s abilities have slowed over the years. Still, I thought he was a decent option off the bench that was underutilized by coach Unai Emery. He’ll do well at a lower-tier club like Zaragoza, where the pressure isn’t as intense.

‘Nando is one of the few Real Madrid rejects we’ve signed that actually worked out fine. Players like Ivan Helguera didn’t fit in. Guys like Fernando Morientes and now goalie Cesar have. They’re true professionals who respect the game and adore the fans.

Thanks for the memories, Fernando. I wish you luck wherever you go.

The next goodbye makes me a little sad. Manolo’s just won’t be the same without him.

Curro Torres (above. His boss Manolo, below) has confirmed that he will leave Valencia and Manolo’s this summer after spending over ten years with the club.

The 32-year-old has rarely been included in the squad this season and has found his playing time limited under coach Emery.

Torres acknowledged that injuries played a part in his troubles, but he’s feeling better and is working hard to return to the pitch.

“I know that injury has stopped me from having the same consistency that my team-mates have had, and I have paid for that. I thought that I could have played, but the coach had other ideas and I could only continue to work,” he sighed at a press conference, a greasy smock covering his Valencia training top.

“I am a lot better now and I am working to reach the pre-season in the best possible condition to compete. I hope there are teams who will trust in me, in a player who has had injuries, but that is in a good condition to play.”

Despite blaming the coach for not playing him at times, Torres did not want to criticize Emery when he was asked today.

“At the start he was honest and told me I would almost certainly not be included, but a few weeks ago he told me that he knew I was well and that I might be able to play. However, the circumstances and the games have impeded me from doing so,” he explained.

Finally, the defender spoke about the future of Valencia and appealed for the fans to be “patient” with the club.

“Things will go forward and they will do so for the ones who work. (At Manolo’s?) I hope that everything will go well and that it can be a competitive team to fight for all competitions,” he concluded.

Curro was a member of the 2002 and 2004 championship teams. He was a solid defender, very useful and effective as a right back. He even made the national team, representing Spain at the 2002 World Cup.

As much as I make fun of the guy, he was a good defender and better than anything we have on the pitch these days. I wish you the best, Mr. Torres.

No word on who will fill Curro’s station when he leaves Manolo’s. I’m sure Manolo will be interviewing guys like Banega, Sunny and Michel in the coming weeks. Stay tuned …

As for the possible takeover of the club by an American, foreign investors, Soriano and Soler … I’ve no real opinion.

One day we hear one scenario. The next? We hear something different. It’s like the directors of the club like to play with our heart strings, pulling us along as if Valencia CF is a tele novela and we’re fervent fans that’ll buy into any plot twist.

I’m just not sure what’s going to happen. Until something substantial does happen, I’m not getting my hopes up.

One day, we’re sold to an American living in Switzerland. The next? Soriano says the sale could happen tomorrow or on September 26th. Uggh … just shut up and come back to us when you have something SUBSTANTIAL … until then, be quiet and get to work. I simply do not care what these guys have to say.

I want action. I want my football team to reach the greatest heights of club football again.

Which brings me to yesterday’s magisterial performance by Barcelona over Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome.

I don’t want to get sentimental and blather on about Valencia’s past Champions League finals or performances over the years. I’ve done enough of that over the months.

What I do want to say is that I hope and pray the idiots running this club watched yesterday’s match. Barcelona played with team spirit, finesse, passion. And their fans gave it back to them – in droves.

Barcelona stayed true to their defining spirit yesterday – offensive football. They passed Manchester to death, marked their star Cristiano Ronaldo out of the game and dictated the pace of the match.

In short, they destroyed England’s best club. And showed the world they’re the best team in club football.

How does this tie into cash-strapped Valencia?

What Barca had last night is something money can not buy. A team doesn’t need money to build close bonds, unity and passion for the badge. A team doesn’t need loads of cash to create player awareness and understanding, to develop a style of play that suits each and every player on the pitch.

What they need is to care about each other, care about the fan base, care about the cause.

Valencia played Barcelona very well a few weeks back. 2-2 and although many may argue Barcelona were worrying about other matches, namely their final last night, the facts of the matter are that Valencia hung in there against the world’s best team.

Why is it that a team we tied 2-2 is now celebrating a European championship and we’re staring at another season of second-tier European football (only if we get a result this weekend)?

Money comes into play. We all know FC Barcelona are swimming in money. But more importantly, players and management come into play.

Get these guys that don’t want to be at Valencia CF out of here. If you want to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, do so. And don’t come here as a stepping stone to Madrid or Barca either. I’m talking to you, Negredo …

Get guys that want to be here. Guys that’ll buy into the philosophy and sweat for the club.

Get people in management that aren’t using Valencia to make a quick buck. Get people here … Americans, Finnish, whatever … that want to see Valencia succeed.

And you know what? Things will pan out, monetarily as well as on the pitch.

Not all of our problems can be attributed to financial woes. We had Champions League football within our grasp and let it go because we looked apathetic, lethargic and nonchalant.

Now, we need guys here that’ll bleed for the club – guys like Puyol, Iniesta and Pique, who played for Manchester United last season but said he’d do whatever it took to come back to his boyhood club.

Where are those guys for Valencia CF?

While men like Vicente Soriano and Juan Soler battle it out over control of Our Beloved, clubs like Barcelona are doing laps around us.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Find people that care. Find people that WANT to be here, by hook or by crook. And trust me, we’ll be fine in no time …