Summer Dreams
By: Cesar | July 3rd, 2007
I come to you on the eve of one of the biggest American holidays, the Fourth of July. We celebrate the declaration of our independence from the British by barbequing, attending parades, going to the beach, drinking too much and blowing up firecrackers.
The world-renowned center of the fireworks world is Valencia. And in Valencia, the Fourth of July is just another day on the calendar.
But not this year as Valencia prepare to unveil their latest signing, German international goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand.
Germany’s number-two ‘keeper behind Arsenal’s Jens Lehmann comes to us via VfB Stuttgart, where he’s been since 1994. He’s known for impressive reflexes and substantial ability in 1-on-1 situations.
Hildebrand holds a Bundesliga record for keeping a clean sheet for 884 consecutive minutes in 2003/2004. That’s almost 10 games. Not bad.
Timo looks like a smart signing, considering Santiago Cañizares’s age (37). Still, sentimentality tugs at me. I’d hate to see Cañete not starting. He’s such an icon of the squad, such a vocal leader. He’s mystifying, for sure. He can make dreadful decisions. But he loves the team (remember his crying bout after the 2001 Champions League Final?). He plays with his heart on his sleeve. He gives it his all.
Still, should make for an exciting competition come pre-season. May the better man win.
On to more transfer news, sporting director Miguel Ángel Ruiz let the world know today that our heroes are in search of two or three new players, players that ‘want to win everything.’ I assume he means the league and Europe, not the Trofeo Naranja.
Anyways, news rags around the world are reporting we’re interested in Ajax striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. He’s seen as a rising star in Dutch football, having scored 33 goals in the 2005/06 Eredivisie campaign, making him top scorer. Would be a nice signing. Maybe we can include Wesley Sneijder as well?
Also, the news says we’re after sulking, brooding man-child Nicolas Anelka. He’s played for (hold your breath … this could take a while) … PSG, Arsenal, Real Madrid (where he played in the Euro Final against us), PSG again, Liverpool, Manchester City … BREATH … Fenerbahce and Bolton. You’d think he was 67 but he’s only 28 and still a good striker. I’d be happy with the ‘Incredible Sulk’ on the team, although his temerament leaves some to be desired. We’ll see …
Not to be outdone by the man who took his job, old friend Amadeo Carboni fired some shots at coach Quique Sanchez Flores and former star Roberto Ayala earlier this week.
I haven’t the time to translate for you but if you’re interested, the two-part interview appears here and here in castellano.
The gist of it is that he’s not happy. He doesn’t know why he’s not on the team, he was looking for a replacement for Flores months ago and he considers Ayala to be less than a professional for his contract dealings.
It’s an intruiging, interesting and enlightening piece on the inner-workings of a football club and daily soap opera between two megalomaniacs.
Quique danced around questions regarding Carboni’s comments today, only saying that he wishes him well. Ayala was a bit more forceful, saying he wished Carboni had told him these things to his face. Ayala said he’d reserve judgement until later, after he’s done playing in the Copa America.
Craziness, I tell you. Hopefully, things calm down now that these two brats are kept apart.
‘Quique, you play nice with your toys, ok?’
‘Amadeo, learn to share!’
UGGH!
Anyways, take a look at this compilation from valenciacf.es of our boys’ 10 best goals of the year. Which is the best?
Honestly, have you seen a worse website for a big club than ours? It’s an eyesore! Can I get a job to shore up your website, Mr. Soler? Please?
Random Thoughts:
- So it was Luis Garcia from Espanyol we were after. Not that other guy who went to Atletico. My bad.
- Fernando Torres is off to Liverpool. Bad move, in my opinion. He’s going to get eaten alive. He won’t have the time or space to create, let alone shoot. Good luck, but like Morientes, see you back in Spain in a few years. Would be nice to see him in a Valencia kit, no?
- Is Valencia making it to the Far East or the USA this summer? Anyone know?
- Anyone from the States interested in starting a supporters club/penya? I received one reply but he never followed up. C’mon, someone else out there has to want this as badly as I do! Is there a penya in the States already?? Can anyone find out for me?
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Comments
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Flores doesn’t seem to be too happy with Hildebrand. At least that’s how it was communicated in the press. It was a deal by ex-sporting director Carboni. So I wonder if Hildebrand will actually make it into the starting XI. He got the skills IMHO and anything less would very much diminish his chances in the German national team.
Posted from
Germany
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THE ROBINHO HAT TRICK AGAINST CHILE IS SOMETHING EVERY AMERICAN REAL MADRID FAN CAN CELEBRATE and in the spirit of the 4th of July we invite ALL VALENCIA fans to join us in our joy!!! What up Ceez!! I just couldn’t resist saying something on your blog!!!! Hala Madrid!!
Posted from
United States -
54 LS(for estoverao. Sorry but I’m as anti-Madridista as one can get).
And I thought China is the world-renowned center of the fireworks world.
Just Kidding.About Timo. Quique has a preference of Spaniard and he has a very good relationship with Cañete. I’m worried Timo won’t get a position in starting XI, too. But the future is his, and I hope hard work and perseverance will help him get what he deserve. At least we know fans would press Quique if Cañete did something ridiculous again.
Happy holidays, Caesar.
Posted from
China -
The best goal is definitely the one versus Zaragoza. Brilliant. And Silva’s away goal against Chelsea. Amazing!
Posted from
China -
Even Atletico’s website is better than Valencia’s, which crashes my internet 7 times out of 10. On the side, I’m hoping Torres will improve with the help of a midfield that can actually supply balls - for Liverpool’s sake. He’d do well with VCF’s midfield as well, and it couldn’t hurt the national team to have him and Villa working together on a regular basis.
I already voted for Silva’s one-timer against CSKA London, but I’m having second thoughts about that wonderful team-goal against Zaragoza.
Posted from
United States -
Man, Valencia’s site is way too cluttered!
Speaking of Valencia, I could’ve swore that Sneijder was going to head over there if it weren’t Ajax’s demand for a higher bid.
Cheers,
Posted from
United States -
Now things are clearer. Valencia, with Quique would never sign Sneijder, because he was a Carboni-choice. Logically it’s not because of the high cost, and not due to Valencia’s different playing tactics, or even not because he wants to utilize Baraja as a playing maker from the center. As rumoured, Valencia is trying to sign Lucho Gonzalez, the captain of Porto to compensate the avoided Sneijder. Locho is an excellent midfielder, and almost similar to Sneijder technically; check for his compilation on youtube.com. Yet, he is of the same price… Then what was wrong with having Sneijder?
Posted from
Jordan -
Also, Cesar, I see you’re in the NYC area. Do you go to Nevada Smith’s?
Posted from
United States -
Timo you are the best!!!! i love you about all things!!!
You are unbelivebil oder wie es geschriben wird ich liebe dich!!!Posted from
Germany
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