Valencia Tidbits

By: Cesar | March 28th, 2007

Lots going on with our Che as they wind down the road to their blockbuster Champions League encounter with Chelsea next week …

– First off, a great piece by the Guardian Unlimited’s Marcela Mora y Araujo about ‘El Matador’,
Mario Kempes.

Kempes is considered one of the best players in Valencia history. He won two consecutive Pichichis (leading scorer in Spain), scoring 24 and 28 goals in 1976-77 and 1977-78. He went on to lead Argentina to World Cup glory, winning the trophy in 1978. He was the leading goalscorer in the ‘78 tournament, scoring six goals. He managed 146 goals in 247 appearances for Valencia. Make sure to read up on this Valencian legend.

– Spain play again this afternoon, continuing their Euro 2008 qualification campaign against Iceland. Expect an easy victory & let’s hope for goals from David Villa and Fernando Morientes yet again. Valencia CF are the lifeblood of the Spanish national team, providing six players.

– The suspensions of David Navarro & Carlos Marchena were reduced this morning by UEFA. Navarro’s was reduced to six months, Marchena’s to 2 games. They were both initially suspended for their involvement in a mass brawl following Valencia’s elimination of Inter Milan in the Champions League earlier this month. After the meeting with UEFA this morning, Navarro said, ‘The sanction is hard, but I’m satisfied with the reduction.’
Seems fair to me, especially the Marchena suspension. He didn’t really do anything, except defend his ground. UEFA got something right this time. Good going!

– Defender Fabian Ayala, future defender for Villarreal, continues to support David Albelda in his quest for a contract renovation. “It’s not an easy situation to understand,’ Ayala said. ‘I’ve lived through it (a contract renovation that ultimately led to him leaving the club at the end of this season) and when you don’t disconnect from it, you are not 100% in what you need to do.” Albelda, the Valencia captain, is looking for more money in his next contract. Talks have stalled somewhat and the situation remains tense. More updates on this later.

– Quite a nice squad we’re building for next sesason. Valencia have signed defender Alexis from Getafe to replace Ayala, they’re shoring up a bid for Osasuna midfielder Raul Garcia and they’re in talks to sign a young African midfielder named Steven Sunday, or Sunny.
What else do you think we need for the upcoming season?

– Valencia play Espanyol at the Mestalla this Saturday at 8 pm Spanish time. Anyone going to root for former Valencia star Rufete, who now plies his trade and hair products with the Catalan sqaud?

– After that, the nerve-inducing tie against Chelsea. First game at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday. I’m nervous. I truly am.