Presentation and Other Tidbits
By: Cesar | August 12th, 2008
Today is Valencia’s 2008-09 presentation game against Dutch side S.B.V. Vitesse, the official unveiling of the new team, new kits, new ownership, etc.
But honestly, what’s changed? Juan Soler may be gone, but where are the new players? What about all the excess we need to get rid of? Someone’s not doing a very good job. Of course, when you change management every few weeks, these things are bound to get lost in the shuffle.
I wonder what the reaction will be to the players and the management team. Boos? Cheers? Ambivalence?
In any case, new owner Vicente Soriano has ended all speculation by the Madrid press, the UK press and any one else who wants a piece of David Villa and David Silva.
They. Are. Staying.
“I can assure everyone Villa and Silva will stay next season with Valencia,” he told reporters.
Word is that Silva, Silva’s agent and Silva’s dad (who works for the team) are to meet after the presentation game with sporting director/Valencia playing legend Fernando Gómez to seal the deal. Good going, lads.
Ok, that’s all good news. What about Joaquin?
Oh, oh. Not so good.
Apparently, negotiations over a new deal last week brought a more unexpected result with sporting director Gómez stating that the ex-Betis man had to prove he was worth a fresh contract.
I love Joaquin. I think he brings a fire and energy to the side, plus a passion to the game that isn’t often seen. Problem is, all this fire, energy and passion isn’t often seen from Joaquin.
Should we sell him? I don’t think so. But saying the lad has to prove his worth is not really a great motivational tactic in my eyes. I doubt Joaquin will be gracing the Mestalla turf with his step overs and goofy grin this upcoming season. And that’s a darn shame …
One guy who might grace the Mestalla turf with his goofy grin is Internacional de Porto Alegre goalkeeper Renan Brito.
That’s right. With our need for a defender, a midfielder and possibly a striker, we’re buying a goalie. Good going!
The 23-year old, who is in Beijing at the Olympics with Brazil, is a 2006 Copa Libertadores winner and thought to be high on the Che’s agenda as a late-summer signing, given that they have yet to secure meaningful competition for starter Timo Hildebrand.
Short-sighted? You decide.
Here’s something that wasn’t short-sighted: Juan Villalonga’s plans for our Beloved should he have bought the club. Have you read this?
Imagine. Here’s what he would have done had he secured Juan Soler’s shares a few weeks ago … bought Ronaldinho, Dani Güiza and Rafael Van der Vaart and made Luis Aragonés coach.
Gulp …
Now, this is all speculation. But just imagine for a moment … think of what these signings would have done for our status world wide. People would be buzzing about Valencia in a positive way, not in our typical negative one. Fans would flock to buy Ronaldinho’s kits, see Guiza’s dazzling goals and stare at Van Der Vaart’s wife.
Villalonga wanted to think big and his ideas would have had the fans celebrating before a ball had even been kicked if he had been allowed to carry them out.
Whether or not Villalonga would have been able not pull off any off his plans is hypothetical now that he has been ousted and replaced by the far more conservative Soriano.
Finances were promised and along with assurances that David Villa and David Silva were staying, there were reports that Güiza and Aragonés would be tempted to return from Turkey only weeks after going to Fenerbahçe. Not sure I would have agreed with Aragones, but at least there’s ambition in these plans.
Instead, we’re still getting press releases confirming Villa and Silva’s tenure at our club. And … that’s it.
I don’t know. Maybe I expected more after such a sour season?
We played Newcastle in England this weekend and besides losing our luggage (this only happens to us), we lost 2-1.
Still, there were bright spots.
The aforementioned Joaquín netted the opener before Damien Duff and James Milner both netted to give the Magpies a victory in the closing minutes.
“The team is better than we were a few days ago. We have committed less mistakes than we have done in previous games,” coach Unai Emery told reporters after the game.
“We now need to continue to prepare for the Super Cup and the league.”
Valencia have been beaten by Borussia Mönchengladbach in their previous outing after defeating VfL Bochum at the end of July, but Emery is not worrying about results.
“I think that we have had some tough games against sides that were ahead of us in their preparations physically and that made things more difficult,” he continued.
“What we have to do is forget about the results and focus only on the performances.”
He’s right. Because after today’s presentation, we play in the Spanish Super Copa against the mighty Real Madrid. And we’ll do so without Carlos Marchena, who could miss the beginning of the season due to a right ankle knock. Not good news.
One guy who wants to play in the two-legged Super Copa is Manuel Fernandes. Apparently, he wants to stay with Los Che.
“I want to succeed in Spain. But I need more confidence from the coach,” the 22-year-old told Spanish media on Monday. He also needs to stay out of the night club.
I’d love if he stayed. And if Ever Banega stayed. And Villa. And Silva. And if we could buy some nice, shiny new players … and if we played in the Champions League …
Ok, I can dream. No?
Category: Team News
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Valencia CF.. the source of our joys, pains and sorrows. It seems so simple to us, keep Villa and Silva, buy a defender, KEEP Banega and Fernandes, sell Zigic, buy replacement striker.. But VCF club management makes it all seem so bloody difficult
Posted from
United States
-
we bought a new goalkeeper- renan brito is ours guys!!! we bought him for 4 million!
Posted from
United States -
Aww…I think it’s time we be start concentrating on the brighter sides of things. I mean, really, it isn’t that bad. Yes, we aren’t doing anything to improve the club, but at least it’s not going in the direction it was when Soler was here. Think of what we would be like if Soler was still here. At least now there’s something else to apart from who’s going to be CEO and who’s going to get fired to talk about. We can now talk about football, what Valencia is actually about, and we are!! Isn’t that great? I don’t mind if we have to moan and whinge about how Valencia isn’t buying anyone, so long as we’re talking about football.
*Sigh*…somehow, this doesn’t seem all bad.
Sorry, I think I’m feeling a bit weird today.
Posted from
United Arab Emirates -
so far Soriano seems to be doing a good job with Valencia Finances, hes taking action to get the sponsors to release money which Valencia is owed he is trying to get the new stadium back on track, as for new signings transfer market is experiencing extreme inflation and player Values are sky high, even if Valencia signed anybody even for 15 million euros it would probably be an average player, signing useless people has been a problem for Valencia for years now so a season with a few practical signings is a breath of fresh air. Villarreal came second in la liga and is their squad better than ours? i don’t think so what Valencia needs is proper teamwork.
Posted from
United States -
Agreed let’s give Emery a chance. We have the talent, we just need the motivation and the tactics. Gawd I love that promo for the game. So cool!
Posted from
United States -
Silva was in great form this evening. Let’s see if we can beat “the enemy” on Sunday
Posted from
United States -
Valencia’s website has a video of all of Valencia’s goals http://217.116.5.146/noticias/prelimin.asp?idnoticia=16214&idioma=1&IdBanner=Aleatorio Valencia are playing more and more like how Almeria played the first two goals looked like goals you would have expected from Almeria last season. is it just me or is Miguel playing a lot better than last season.
Posted from
United States -
those r some nice goals! specially the last one! thnx john for the link!
Arizmendi is going to zaragoza! no problem with me as long as they dnt get milito the tampon-head.Posted from
United States -
Hey guys, what’s good; do you think it is possible for Villa and Silva to leave the club after the team presentation?
Posted from
United States -
Nilton, no way!
If you’re around Sunday, I’m watching the Super Copa in downtown Manhattan.Posted from
United States -
I’ll be there as well, Los Che to lift more silverware!
Posted from
United States -
Daniel, you’re still in NYC? Nice!
Posted from
United States -
gol tv’s website says that they are not showing the game on sunday… what channel can we get it on in the US?
Posted from
United States -
Ryan,
Fox Soccer Channel will show the game.
Surprise to me too …Posted from
United States -
Hi everybody. I saw the briliant video That John showd it’s link. I think Silva played his best match ever. He was better than anybody else. Miguel’s goal was nice too.
I also watched Argentina’s match against sebia in olimpics, and Banega was a key player in the squard. He has become stronger, faster and improved his technique. He ia a Silva-Villa level player for sure. He just needs to learn european football style.
It’s happened. Now we have a squard even better than in 2003-2004 season, so we can reach higher results.
Amunt Valencia.Posted from
Armenia -
more good news according to superdeporte Silva just signed a new 5 year contract and is staying at Valencia. Unfortunately Gevorg i read today that Valencia are looking to send Banega to racing but that was from goal.com so there is still a plausibility he might stay.
Posted from
United States -
we want a defender.. no doubt about that.. we can get Fazio.. he is great.. !
man we really needa defender, if you guys noticed.. Emery after each game talked about defence mistakes.. so helguera should be out!
Posted from
United States -
against Vitesse except for the goalkeeping mistake by our third choice keeper there were no other major defensive mistakes Valencia’s defenders need to work on their positioning and teamwork a new defender would not solve those problems. Alexis and Marchena should eventually be a good pairing but Alboil and Alexis should be good enough for the games against Madrid.
Posted from
United States -
Great!!!! Our David duo is staying!!! Btw, I think I might have to go to North Carolina on friday but Ill try to be back by sunday morning… What time is the match? Where are you guys going to watch it???? I might as well show up on time…. I cant wait to wear my Valencia away kit with Terra Mitica as sponsors (I think is Good luck hehe)
Posted from
United States -
Nilton, the match is at 4pm so try to make it!! Plenty of time to be back!
We’re going to Nevada Smith’s, 11th Street and 3rd Avenue to watch the game … I’ll post something 2morrow about it.
Oh, which Terra Mitica one do you have? I’ll be in my neon orange one with the Terra Mitica on it! AMUNT!Posted from
United States -
You’ll see it….. All I know is that it is my favorite…. I think is the same… I bought it back in 2004
Posted from
United States -
I better wear my orange one too. I’ll be in NYC for 3 more weekends Cesar, so I can ketch the Supercopa and Jornada 1. Any body else out there strugglin to get the new kit? All I see on eBay are one’s with no names but I want a Silva
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
