Grinds My Gears

By: Cesar | April 29th, 2009

Transfer rumors do my head in. They really grind my gears …

When sporting directors open their mouths, they’re like politicians lobbying for votes.
Will we get this guy for next season? Will we lose this guy to a bigger club?
Blah blah blah … words, words, words …

Who knows? Until it happens, it’s all speculation.

So today, Our Beloved’s sporting director Fernando Gomez added more fuel to the fire when he said there’s a possibility David Villa and David Silva may be at Valencia next season. (Sorry, in Spanish)

Didn’t we know this already?

Gomez said club director Javier Gomez’s economic viability plan seems to call for the departure of the two superstars, in order to balance the books.

But if the club can sell some of their other assets (Curro Torres?), get an injection of cash and make the Champions League, who knows?

And who knows if the Moon won’t break apart tomorrow morning like a donut, causing gravitational havoc around the world, sending our protective atmosphere hurtling into space as we cook like breakfast sausages under the uncaring, unforgiving sun?

In the words of the great Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, ‘David Villa and David Silva will be Valencia players until they’re not.’

He really said that. I swear. Saw him at Nevada’s and he said that to me …

You know what else grinds my gears besides transfer rumors?

Players who play like brutes during practice.

Today, ‘defender’ Asier del Horno collided with on-form winger Pablo Hernandez, causing Pablo’s shoulder to be partially dislocated.

Really? Honestly?

Why is Asier even on the pitch? Can we switch him out with Curro Torres and have him serve drinks to tourists over at Manolo’s?

Pablo could be out a week. He could be out 4-5 weeks. No one knows.

It’s a huge blow, as Pablo’s been playing out of this world the past few games.

It’s even more of a blow because Pablo replaced the injured Joaquin, who is still … (drumroll) … injured.

Never mind the fact that Pablo’s been a more confident, incisive player than Joaquin. If the teethy Andalusian isn’t ready to play, who steps in and plays wing for us come the weekend?

Vicente? Hugo Viana? Curro Torres?

Let’s see what becomes of this … my little birdies tell me ‘Pisha’ will be fit and stepping over balls in Barca this weekend …

I leave you with good cheer today.

Yesterday was diminutive winger Juan Mata’s 21st birthday. Happy Birthday, mate!

Mata’s 21 and has done quite a bit in his short life. He’s played for the national team, won a Copa Del Rey and helped Spain win the 2006 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship.

Not bad.

By 21, I’d been able to finish a six-pack without regurgitating it.

Achievements. We all have them.

So Mata was in an introspective mood yesterday before getting a free round of drinks at Manolo’s with the team.

“I can safely say that I celebrated one of the happiest birthdays of my life, mainly as a professional footballer, because I am enjoying a great moment and I am very happy,” he said in an interview with AS as he stared into the distance, the sun descending over a horchata field.

“I received congratulatory messages from all my team-mates while in training, I saw a lot of banners from the fans. It made me emotional.”

The ambitious youngster, however, said that he is far from satisfied as he still has a lot to strive for.

“Things are going really well not just for me, but for the team as well because we are on course to achieve our target,” he said.

“I did not expect to be playing so many games [for Valencia] and I never thought I’d already be part of La Seleccion at just 21 years old, in addition to having a Copa del Rey winners’ medal in my collection.

“I am very proud of everything that I have achieved, but I am not content because I am still young and I know that I still have a lot to learn. And that is what I am going to keep doing. My objective is to continue growing as a footballer and as a player.”

Being only 3′6″, I’d say growing would be a priority.

All kidding aside, Mata’s an exceptional talent and we wish him all the best.

Raging hangover or not, anytime you’re in New York, the first drink’s on me, Juanito!

Happy Birthday Mata! AMUNT!