Squad Breakdown and Notes

By: Cesar | July 10th, 2008

So the Juan Villalonga era has begun.

Villalonga, an international businessman who was the former president of Spanish telecommunications giant Telefonica, reached an agreement with Our Beloved on Wednesday to take over the running of the club.

Villalonga is hoping to bring success back to the Mestalla.

“I’ve always had Valencia and ultimately Valencia CF in my heart,” said Villalonga, whose parents are from the city.

“My main motivation is to put this club in the world elite, which is the place where the city and the fans deserve to be.” I’d like that. I’d like that a lot …

With that in mind, the new chief reported to work today and met with coach Unai Emery.

The first order of business? To keep stars David Villa and David Silva.

We all want that. Unai has expressed that. But what about the rest of the squad?

Here’s the list of 20 Unai has submitted to the team for physicals and what not in preparation for the pre-season, which begins July 14th (the 4 champions, Marchena, Villa, Silva and Albiol, will report at a later date as will Miguel):

15 sure to stay: Hildebrand, Guaita, Alexis, David Navarro, Moretti, Del Horno, Baraja, Edu, Joaquín, Pablo, Arizmendi, Mata, Vicente, Angulo and Morientes …

4 on the market: Zigic, Fernandes, Butelle and Albelda …

1 in limbo: Ivan Helguera … could leave if he finds a better offer.

Curro Torres? There won’t be a decision about him until December, when he’s recuperated from knee surgery. Until then, he sells replica shirts outside of Manolo’s bar near the Mestalla …

The rest of the guys? Banega, Estoyanoff, Regueiro and Viana were told to stay home, extend their vacations, take jobs as ushers if need be. Just don’t come and try to play football with Valencia CF.

So what do we make of this squad? Here’s a breakdown.

GK – Hildebrand, Guaita.
We all know about Hildebrand. Inconsistent, but still better than the average goalie. Who’s Guaita?
Here’s his bio. He’s Vicente Guaita Panadero, he’s 21 and he comes from the B team, Valencia Mestalla. You know what him being here says to me? We need a backup goalkeeper or a new starter. That’s what this says to me.

D – Alexis, David Navarro, Moretti, Del Horno, Albiol, Marchena, Helguera, Miguel
Alexis could be used as bait for Sevilla keeper and former Valencia stopper Andres Palop. I’d rather he not be moved. I like the youngster who broke his leg early last season.
Navarro is back from Mallorca and is merely a back-up.
Del Horno is back from Bilbao and eager to prove himself.
What do we make of this backline? I think we still need reinforcements, especially in the center.
Caneira is gone and although he was good, he wasn’t the best in the world.
Miguel wants to leave and his expanding waistline isn’t doing him any favors.
I still believe Marchena is better suited in the Albelda holding midfield role. Although he played an EXCELLENT Euro 2008.
And Albiol matured in the games he played in the championships as well.

What do you think? Who can we get to plug these holes? If we stay true to form and play to our capabilities, this COULD be a strength. Then again, we know that won’t happen. What do we do?

MF – Baraja, Edu, Joaquín, Pablo Hernandes
Ya, that’s it people. We’re selling Banega. We’re getting rid of Albelda. Fernandes is basically gone. This is all we have.
So this is obviously a pressing need.
Rafael Van Der Vaart? Now Real Madrid want him. So that’s that.
Reminds me of the Wesley Sneijder fiasco of last season.
Again, we need a creator, someone that can make something of nothing.
None of these guys, sans Pablo, inspires confidence.
Edu is always hurt.
Baraja is 87.
Joaquin may leave. We need someone in the middle and fast …

F – Arizmendi, Mata, Vicente, Angulo, Morientes, Villa, Silva
Having said all that about the midfield, a few of these lads could drop back and help.
Vicente comes to mind. But he’s not a creator. And he’s always hurt.
The forward line looks like a strength to me IF we keep Silva and Villa. If not, we’re left grossly understaffed at an important position.
Arizmendi scored a wonder goal against Madrid last season and is a hard worker, but do you want him starting every game? That’s what I thought …

Angulo? He’s 87, too.
Morientes? 88.
Mata is the shining pearl and a future star of the squad and the national team. He’s got the goods and I hope he matures even further this season.

We need to keep Silva and Villa. They’re our stars. They’re our scorers. They’re the future of this team if Unai and Villalonga are to be believed.

What do you all think of this squad so far?

As far as the pre-season is concerned, Valencia has the Spanish Supercup against Real Madrid, August 17 and 24. First leg in Mestalla, return at the Bernabeu.
Before that, there’s a confirmed friendly against Newcastle United in Saint James Park on August 9th. We’ll be training in Holland the two weeks prior to that, so I’m sure there will be friendlies against Dutch sides. That’s all that’s confirmed.

The season’s shaping up. The pre-season begins this Monday. Times flies, doesn’t it??

**One quick side not for anyone living in Valencia:
As many know, I was in Valencia last month and had a wonderful time.

One of the places I frequented was the Portland Ale House, a new American pub in the heart of the city. This place is FABULOUS! I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had in this place.

These guys aren’t paying me to say this. I just really like this place and hope it’s there the next time I go (which I hope is soon …).

The owner’s an American guy from Oregon trying to start a brewpub in Valencia.

I love his passion and desire and really think you guys would like the place. He’s there with his sister and another friend and the place has a polished, comfortable feel. The TV’s are always set to sports, they have a variety of beers and also have food!

So please go down there, support these guys and tell them Cesar from New York sent you.
They’re great people and you won’t be disappointed.

They’re the Portland Ale House, c/ Salamanca 10 in the heart of Valencia.
If I was still in the city, I’d watch my matches there!! Good place, good people …

AMUNT!