La Liga Transfer Rumours and General Chat

Mitch Connor

gimmick wrote: »

I do not understand why he is being made execpt either. He is cup tied afterall.

It is in the rules that any club can register a player who has previously played in europe, as long as the club he played for are not competing in the same cup, this can only be done for one player. There is no exemption being given here.

eZe^

gimmick wrote: »

I do not understand why he is being made execpt either. He is cup tied afterall.

One Uefa cup player can be added to a CL squad if he moves in the Winter transfer window...

Some words are permanently embossed on the printing presses, from "Immigrants responsible for all evils of earth (especially collapsing house prices)", to "Diana: what really happened?", and the insistence on any Real Madrid-related deal being "real" when you don't even say it like that, for goodness sake! It's not just the English, either: in Spain, it's not all "Betis orgasm" and "The fu*k of the century". AS splashed on "galactic wedding" the day Florentino Pérez's daughter got married, "galactic dinner" when the squad ate out, and "galactic surplus" thanks to a healthy tax return, while try as they might – and they seem not to be trying at all – Sport and El Mundo Deportivo just can't help turning to their imaginative "Messi! Messi! Messi!".

But over the last few years one headline in particular just would not go away: "Raúl always returns." The Real Madrid striker could do nothing for months then one moment of inspiration and, Bob's your uncle (well he is mine), there it was: "Raúl always returns". Mostly, it was nonsense – unless by "always" they meant "every six months or so" and by "returns" they meant "scores a goal" – but it revealed the untouchable, venerated status to which he had been elevated and the desire to bring him back.

Raúl went four seasons without going past 11 league goals, three without getting into double figures. Stripped of the incontestable authority offered by his previously superb stats, his defenders zealously insisted on his work rate – even though one of his former coaches privately notes that it's often "counterproductive", motivated by the desire to be seen rather than really help. They invoked his leadership, too – even if one former team-mate describes that as "a myth". They jumped on those who dared suggest that, perhaps, maybe, you know, it might be an idea for him not to be in the team; those who said so were turned into pariahs, not just blokes who thought there might be better players around. One former footballer had to phone Marca and AS to plead with them not to reprint an interview in which he had been critical of the Real Madrid captain.

But despite the protection and the diversionary tactics, there was no escaping that Raúl's performances had dipped. Watching old matches laid bare the change – gone were the tiptoeing runs, the dashes to the near post, the impeccable first touch. He looked bigger, slower, more hunched. When, in the summer of 2006, it was privately suggested to one of his team-mates that Raúl hadn't played well for a few months, the barbed reply said it all: "A few years, more like".

You even wondered if it was all over. He might have been only 29 but he'd racked up more matches than many a 30-something footballer – more than David Beckham, then 31, and the 33-year-old Fabio Cannavaro. Psychologically, too, he had borne the burden of being Madrid's captain – a role he takes supremely, almost pathologically seriously – during three years of failure. His bitterness at the galácticos' subversion of seriousness and discipline was palpable. His own culpability as captain in a collapse marked by dreadful dressing-room relations, institutional instability and his own confrontation with Ronaldo meanwhile was often overlooked.

But Raúl survived the fallout – in fact, he emerged stronger. And, eventually, he actually did return – sort of, at least. Not as one of the world's best, as he might have claimed to be in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Not, despite his laughable nomination as Marca's player of the season for 2007-08, as one of Spain's very best. And not as a player good enough, in Luis Aragonés's opinion, to go to Euro 2008 – a competition that Spain won without him after years of him failing to make a real impact on a major tournament. But certainly as an effective footballer. In 2007-08 he scored 18 league goals, his best return in seven seasons, as Madrid won the league. And on Saturday night against Numancia he racked up his 15th for 2008-09, his ninth in the league, making him Real Madrid's top scorer this season.

But it wasn't that it was Raúl's 15th that mattered; that wasn't why the Pajaritos applauded him as he leapt into the sky and pointed at the name on the back of his shirt. It was that he had scored his 307th goal, making him Real Madrid's joint top scorer ever, drawing level with the man many Spaniards consider the greatest player of all time, Alfredo Di Stéfano.

It probably wasn't the way Raúl would have chosen to equal Di Stéfano. Numancia versus Real Madrid at the division's smallest ground wasn't the weekend's best game – Athletic's 3–2 win over Málaga was better, as was Valencia's 3–2 win against Almería, as, in fact, were almost all the weekend's matches. He didn't play well – in fact, he was awful. It wasn't the only historic moment – Leo Messi came from the bench to rescue Barcelona with another ludicrously good display, scoring the club's 5,000th goal. It didn't make him Spain's all-time top scorer – five men still stand above him. And it certainly wasn't the weekend's best goal – that was scored by Getafe's Ikechukwu Uche. Instead, it came courtesy of a poor shot, a worse save and an easy finish.

Yet wherever you look, it was still the goal they were all talking about, and an oddly appropriate way to reach the record. Never blessed with dazzling skills, Raúl has scored with some wonderful strikes but it's always been more about the effective than the aesthetic. As El País put it, "there has probably never been a player who has scored from more rebounds." "It's goals like this that got him the record," added AS.

"Raul 307!" lauded the cover of AS. Marca, meanwhile, led on "Raúl = Di Stéfano." Which he doesn't, not exactly. After all, Di Stéfano changed Madrid's history: the blunt truth is that when he arrived in 1953, Madrid weren't up to much; when he left, they had won eight league titles and five European Cups. It has also taken Raúl 683 matches to reach the total that Di Stéfano reached in 396. But Raúl is the Champions League's all-time top scorer, has more Spain goals than anyone else, and 0.44 per game is still an exceptional return – an astonishing feat, whichever way you look at it. Besides, if Raúl has partly reached Di Stéfano's record because he has played so many more games – only 29 fewer than Manolo Sanchís, the club's current record holder – that too is an enormous achievement.

It might be easier to score goals at Real Madrid; but it certainly isn't easy to survive there. Presidents, managers and coaches have come and gone; Raúl has outlived them all. And that is the key: Raúl is a survivor. "Gripping his own faith like a shipwrecked man does a piece of driftwood," as El Mundo puts it. Committed and deeply serious, he is the last to leave training every day. His preparation is intense, even going so far as to sleep in an oxygen tent. He genuinely loves football, reeling off statistics and stories beyond most players.

Likeable when one-on-one, and quiet and respectful – he rarely goes for referees, is invariably lauded by opponents and has never been sent off – he has nonetheless also demonstrated the personality, willpower, strength of character, nastiness and sheer stubbornness that other, more talented players have lacked. Especially within his own dressing room. If Raúl has made a career from clever positioning on the pitch, he has made one from positioning off it too, reinforcing his status and seeking to control everything. Even signings. This is the man who ate with Juande Ramos three weeks before the former Spurs coach appeared at the Bernabéu and discouraged the club from signing David Villa in the summer.

None of which is necessarily a problem. After all, his approach to football is the right one and he deserves credit for the role he has played in pulling Madrid round. But Ronaldo could never understand Raúl's open animosity towards him, Nicolas Anelka and Michael Owen were marginalised and other players have felt the relationship with him cool as their profile has grown. It was the fact that Luis Aragonés saw in him a defiant challenge to his authority, as much as his by then recovering form, that saw him miss out on the European Championship. Raúl will go down in history as the greatest striker Madrid had, a man whose talent took him a long way and whose temperament took him even further. Not only has he grasped at that driftwood but, if needs be, he has pushed others off it too, his untouchable status helping him reach a record that will surely prove equally untouchable.

The one thing about Raul is that you have to respect him. I obviously don't like the guy, because for all intents and purposes he has 'blanco sangre', but he really is a football player that commands your respect. He may never be remembered for his skill, as the likes of Ronaldo and Rivaldo will, or even for his athleticism. Raul is not the most pacey of forwards, or the same 'fox in a box' as the likes of Inzaghi or Van Nistelrooy.

The one thing Raul has, which is arguably more important than all of the above, is determination, work ethic, hunger and the will to live and die in for his jersey. The fact that he has not been blessed with untouchable skill or athleticism, yet is the top scorer in the history of the CL shows you how hard the guy works. He has lasted 14 seasons playing for arguably the most volatile football club on the planet, he has seen legends like Ronaldo, Zidane, and Figo (players who are much more naturally talented) come and go.

The most impressive thing is how he has reinvigorated himself the past two seasons, because before that he was a washed up wreck. He looked like he was close to finished, no longer interested in his football, included because of his repuatation, not merit. But somehow towards the end of Capello's reign he realised that if he works as hard as he did in his formative years he could get back to his best. Fair play to the man, 307 goals for the most successful football team in European history, 6 league titles, 3 CL titles, 4 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Uefa Super Cup and 2 Intercontinental Cups. He may be the enemy, but one has to respect Raul Gonzalez Blanco, the master of the chip. =P

eZe^

.. (whoops double post)

dfx-

He has too much power. It's at best unhealthy to have that much say. He plays loads of games and has scored lots and lots of goals, but he is never ever dropped...managers risk death by substituting him - even worse than Gullit on Shearer.

I would not want that sort of influence at my club..

eZe^

It'll happen at Barca with Messi eventually.

kinaldo

When people say of Raúl that he lacks the talent of others, maybe they should be more specific and just say speed / dribbling ability. Not that he can't beat a player! It's his perfect first touch, impeccable technique, awareness, and a killer instinct for goal that separate him from the rest. His aerial ability isn't bad either.

dfx-

A direct line to the president/removing managers and players if he doesn't like them?

A question I've been meaning to ask if anyone has a reason why..Pedrag Mijatovic seems an unusual choice to have that high up in the club certainly compared to the likes of Butragueno. Didn't he just play a season or two in the late 90s?

eZe^

dfx- wrote: »

A direct line to the president/removing managers and players if he doesn't like them?

A question I've been meaning to ask if anyone has a reason why..Pedrag Mijatovic seems an unusual choice to have that high up in the club certainly compared to the likes of Butragueno. Didn't he just play a season or two in the late 90s?

Mijatovic is a slimy crook, that's pretty much the number one characteristic you need to have to be a sporting director / president of any la liga club.


My Valencian friend sent me this video, he's been mocking me all day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQQvnJh5Cpc

Probably the best bit of ownage I've seen between two world class players, Villa truely pwns Alves...

The commentator even says Yum Yum Villa Yum.. hahaha

dfx-

Shocking cross though

Mgoraf

Aguirre sacked by Atleti today. Abel Resino is in charge for the rest of the season

eZe^

Atletico Madrid have confirmed that their former goalkeeper, Abel Resino, will take over the Vicente Calderon coaching hot-seat after Javier Aguirre was relieved of his position.

The decision comes just 24 hours after Atleti president Enrique Cerezo assured that he would not consider axing Aguirre at this stage of the campaign, but after a meeting with the Mexican-born coach yesterday, both parties agreed to go their separate ways.

Speaking to Cadena COPE during a radio interview late last night, Cerezo gave his thoughts on the sudden change in the team.

He said, "Everything was very rushed, but we reached an agreement with Aguirre for his dismissal. It was the best thing for the club and it was done by mutual consent.

"I want to thank Aguirre for all he has done. He is a gentleman on and off the pitch but there was a problem because we have not been winning lately. Still, we are very grateful for his services."

The chief then went on to praise Aguirre’s successor, Resino: "Abel is every bit Atleti. He knows the club well and I am confident he is the right man to lead us out of our current situation."

The 48-year-old Resino played for Atletico from 1986 to 1995, picking up back-to-back Copa del Reys in 1991 and 1992 while being crowned with the Zamora trophy in the 1990-91 season.

He has so far only managed Ciudad de Murcia (2005-06), now known as Granada 74, Levante (2007) and CD Castellon. He will be assisted by Santi Denia, while Miguel Peiro will be the team’s new physical trainer.

Really thought he'd stay till the end of the season, considering his good relationship with the backroom staff.

Revista is pretty good this week, they are making a case against Guardiola, saying the team looks jaded and tired. Let's see how that point plays out.

How good were the Valencia and Bilbao games btw, both 3-2.. Quality!!!! Villa is out of the world. Superdepor really smashed Villareal too, Lafita's second goal was a beauty.

redout

Real Madrid Assembly To Be Re-Held On March 29

March 29 has been announced as the date that Real Madrid will re-hold the Assembly...

After the drama and reported scandal surrounding the Assembly last year at Real Madrid, a date has been set for it to be re-held today.

AS reports that the board of directors met this morning and have decided that it will be repeated on March 29.

That day will not feature any league matches, as it is a date reserved for international fixtures.

The same points that were raised at the previous Assembly will be repeated again, and also the clarification for Vicente Boluda to be provisional president.

It is thought that the club will try to ensure that this Assembly is more transparent, to prove that is done within the laws.

The scandal surrounding the previous Assembly was ultimately what cost Ramón Calderon is title as Real Madrid president, as he was shown to have lied about rigging the event.

Marca demonstrated that not only was the Assembly rigged, with non-voters allowed to vote for Calderon, but that the president also knew the guilty persons, despite saying he didn't.

Whilst this Assembly will not decide anything in terms of the president, there have been elections confirmed for the summer, when it is expected Florentino Perez will run again.

Mgoraf

Flores rejects Atletico

According to reports in the Portuguese press today, Atlético Madrid approached Benfica coach Quique Sanchez Flores to take over from Javier Aguirre, but were rejected.

A Bola reports that Flores, the former Valencia coach, was asked by Atlético about the position, when Aguirre was sacked, but turned it down.

The Benfica coach has been in the orbit of Atlético and other clubs for some time now, but he has stated his desire in the past to see out this season at least with his current club.

It is thought that Atlético only chose Abel Resino after they were rejected by Flores, who was contacted first and quickly by the Spanish club.

The news would no doubt have been a blow to Atlético Madrid, who have been linked with the former Valencia man before, but have yet again caught him at the wrong time.

They were reportedly previously interested last summer, when Flores had just taken over at Benfica and was beginning to build his new team.

It was reported on that occasion that he would not leave the club at that stage, nor half way through the season, and would only consider offers this summer.

With Resino possibly only a temporary replacement, there is still a chance that Atlético will go back for the Benfica coach again, but there are no guarantees that his answer will change.

I think he'll be back in Spain next season. Atleti, Villarreal, Sevilla will probably all be looking at him.

dreamers75

Mgoraf wrote: »

Flores rejects Atletico



I think he'll be back in Spain next season. Atleti, Villarreal, Sevilla will probably all be looking at him.

Sevilla will go for Ramos if Benitez takes the Real job.


I hope

redout

dreamers75 wrote: »

Sevilla will go for Ramos if Benitez takes the Real job.


I hope

Really cant see Benitez being offered the Real job. He is a negative bastard at times and makes ludicrous decisions. Capello got the sack after winning the league because he was percieved as playing negative football. Then again Real Madrid is a circus so who knows !

Mgoraf

It doesn't look like Ramos will be staying if Perez takes over as president. Apparently him and his buddies been slagging them off for playing too defensive. I think it'll be the wrong decision getting rid of him though, if he can get them playing the type of football he had Sevilla playing they'd be excellent, just needs the time to do it.

eZe^

redout wrote: »

Really cant see Benitez being offered the Real job. He is a negative bastard at times and makes ludicrous decisions. Capello got the sack after winning the league because he was percieved as playing negative football. Then again Real Madrid is a circus so who knows !

Agreed, Benitez is effective because he imposes rigid systems on a team where every player is given a designated role, there is hardly any fluidity or room for creative genius. That's why he'd be terrible for a position at an attack minded team like Madrid, where managers have been known to be sacked for winning trophies but not playing champagne football.

Mgoraf

I think Wenger is Perez's first choice anyway ? (not that I think there's a chance they'll get him)

eZe^

I don't know if Barcelona or Madrid would have the patience for a manager like Wenger. He is a genius no doubt, but he doesn't mind sacrfices immediate success in favour of implementing solid foundations at youth level. Barca and Madrid already have some of the best academies in the world, so Wenger would need to win trophies consistently. However he'd be awesome to have as a talent scout and coach or the younger guys, but he deserves to be the first team coach of a big club, so I can't see him succeeding at the impatient big boys in Spain. (Sorry if there is spelling mistakes, I'm watching tv while typing this)

Mgoraf

Yeah I agree. But even still I reckon he'd have great success there.

Also can't imagine him spending all that money Real would give him

---

Henry linked with a move away today, you thnk he'll leave in summer?

eZe^

Mgoraf wrote: »

Yeah I agree. But even still I reckon he'd have great success there.

Also can't imagine him spending all that money Real would give him

---

Henry linked with a move away today, you thnk he'll leave in summer?

That's dependent on Henry really. He is have a great season, and the fans are really warming to him, but if he wants to stop playing at the highest level then that's his decision. Realistically we'll be getting one of Villa, Aguero or Benzema this summer anyway, so maybe it would be the best for all parties. I'd like him to stay for another season though, he can be a sub and collect his fat pay cheque every week. He'd be an excellent impact player.

redout

I read on Eurosport website that Barca could sell Henry in the summer and make a move for Fabregas but they are not mad on the idea of having to pay a large fee for a guy who came through their own youth setup and are putting a £18 Million cap on the transfer. Thats still a big chunk of change. I always wondered how much they payed United to get Pique back. It was said about £7 Million in the press at the time but cannot say for sure as they done a disclosed deal I think it was. Wiki quotes £7 Million also and a €50 Million buy out clause. Barca understandably are a bit pissed with paying the money to take back players who they helped develop.

Mgoraf

eZe^ wrote: »

That's dependent on Henry really. He is have a great season, and the fans are really warming to him, but if he wants to stop playing at the highest level then that's his decision. Realistically we'll be getting one of Villa, Aguero or Benzema this summer anyway, so maybe it would be the best for all parties. I'd like him to stay for another season though, he can be a sub and collect his fat pay cheque every week. He'd be an excellent impact player.

You've been linked with van Persie as well I think. He'd probably work better left side of the 3 than the others above.

Where would either Villa, Aguero, Benzema fit in? Maybe he'll go two up top with Messi in behind them. Eto'o's contract aint been sorted out until the summer either, no chance of him leaving is there?

eZe^

redout wrote: »

I read on Eurosport website that Barca could sell Henry in the summer and make a move for Fabregas but they are not mad on the idea of having to pay a large fee for a guy who came through their own youth setup and are putting a £18 Million cap on the transfer. Thats still a big chunk of change. I always wondered how much they payed United to get Pique back. It was said about £7 Million in the press at the time but cannot say for sure as they done a disclosed deal I think it was. Wiki quotes £7 Million also and a €50 Million buy out clause. Barca understandably are a bit pissed with paying the money to take back players who they helped develop.

They're right too, how badly do they need him, Xavi is better imo, and has three seasons left in him, then Iniesta can take over. Sure Fabregas will become amazing in a few years, but is he worth spending an extra 20 million on when what we have already is better (at the moment, in 4 years time it'll be a different story).

redout

Mgoraf wrote: »

You've been linked with van Persie as well I think. He'd probably work better left side of the 3 than the others above.

Where would either Villa, Aguero, Benzema fit in? Maybe he'll go two up top with Messi in behind them. Eto'o's contract aint been sorted out until the summer either, no chance of him leaving is there?

With the form he is in I would say not a hope of him leaving. Villa would certainly not be interested in playing the wing.

Mgoraf

http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,13991_4892211,00.html

This weeks REvista Xtra. Interview with Dani Alves at the end too..

eZe^

Benzema has played on the wing, and considering Aguero isn't just a goal scorer I think he could play on the wing too. Villa may not want to play there, but if we get a good attacking left back then we may play two centrally with no real winger on the left.

redout

I dont think Villa would move to Barca with Eto'o there as both play the lead striker and the form Eto'o has for Barca means it would be difficult for Pep to drop one for the other even though Villa has splendid form himself. I reckon he would more fancy Madrid with RVN getting on in years and Villa obviously being a different league to Huntelaar and Higuain. Madrid need a new lead striker soon whereas Barca dont as Eto'o is a good five years younger than RVN. I think Villa prefers the lead striker role and wont take a liking to the wing and I really dont see why he should as he is lethal in his current position.

EDIT: Also if you play two up front then Barca have to change the system from three upfield which means moving Messi from the right wing which I think is a bit premature as he has been devastating there this year although he has moved infield on a couple of occasions but looks less dangrous I think. Himself and Alves have been brilliant from the right.

Mitch Connor

eZe^ wrote: »

Benzema has played on the wing, and considering Aguero isn't just a goal scorer I think he could play on the wing too. Villa may not want to play there, but if we get a good attacking left back then we may play two centrally with no real winger on the left.

Benzema has played on the wing, but i'm convinced i read he was pissed about it cause he felt he was a striker and didn't like playing on the wing, no since he served his first team apprenticeship.

Mgoraf

Sevilla 2-1 Bilbao First leg Copa del Rey Semi final.

Llorente (who i think is a very good player) gave Bilbao the lead, Kanoute also missed a peno for Sevilla. Hope Bilbao go through to the final...

eZe^

I would LOVE to face Bilbao in the final of the Copa (if Barca can beat Mallorca in a few weeks). It's a shame to see them suffer so much because they want to stay true to their traditions and don't want to collapse and give into the commercialised world of football. They were a true Spanish heavyweight, and it would be a fitting final for Spanish football if the Basques played the Catalans.

Mgoraf

Another sacking?

Pedja Mijatovic could be in his final few hours as Real Madrid sports director, according to various reports in Spain.

Marca in particular believes that the former striker will be sacked this evening and that the board are trying to decide how best to remove him.

"For Mijatovic perhaps there are days left, or maybe just hours. The Real Madrid meeting will discuss the cheapest way to get rid of the sports director," reported the popular daily.

The price for his dismissal is likely to be costly, with his current contract earning him around €1 million annually, and the termination believed to be about the same amount.

However, some Real Madrid fans have become disgruntled with Mijatovic, who has often been outspoken in his time at the club, and is seen as an integral part of the Ramon Calderon era.

Indeed, he was reported to have said in the past that he would leave if Calderon did, but just a few weeks ago declared that he would not resign.

Mijatovic has held the job for two-and-a-half years, since Calderon was appointed president at the club, and has been criticised for not making enough good signings, and paying too much for other players.

In particular, last summer was a frustrating time for Madrid fans, when the club ended up signing just Rafael van der Vaart as they pursued Cristiano Ronaldo relentlessly.

As well as the player problems, the role of coach has hardly been a permanent one at Real Madrid with Mijatovic and Calderon in charge, with Fabio Capello, Bernd Schuster and Juande Ramos all hired - and the first two of those three fired.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1705/real-madrid/2009/02/09/1101651/mijatovic-to-be-sacked-by-real-madrid-this-evening-reports

Adamcp898

I was wondering if someone could tell me this, it was mentioned briefly on the Revista De La Liga Xtra podcast,

Why is it that the fixtures are set up in the league so that every team that plays Barca will play Real Madrid the game after?

Barca fixtures

RM fixtures

An Citeog

Adamcp898 wrote: »

I was wondering if someone could tell me this, it was mentioned briefly on the Revista De La Liga Xtra podcast,

Why is it that the fixtures are set up in the league so that every team that plays Barca will play Real Madrid the game after?

Barca fixtures

RM fixtures

Just the way the fixtures are set up. It's not just that though. Every team has to play Valencia, Sevilla, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal in consecutive games and in that order. This means that the big clubs are all due to meet again in April and May and should provide for a spectacular finish to the season.

gimmick

I did not realise things were quite so ropey for Valencia. If this is accurate, then things are looking very bleak indeed

http://football365.com/spanish_thing/0,17033,9405_5028086,00.html

No Silva Lining For Valencia...
Posted 09/03/09 10:42
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When Valencia announced last week that a brand new stuffed suit would be taking over the increasingly-ruined reigns of the club, few people in Spain afforded the announcement a second thought.

Primarily because they were too busy chuckling over Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero celebrating a visit by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev by announcing closer ties between the two countries.

And this was all fine and dandy, had he not performed the mother of all Freudian slips by delivering a speech promising more "stimulating and f**king" between the two countries.

The lack of interest in matters in Mestalla was also down to the fact that Javier Gómez was the fifth head honcho to run the club in a year.

It's a move that's not so much moving the deck chairs around the Titanic as washing the liner's windows.

The mission that has been given to Gómez by the club's numerous creditors is a fairly simple one - tackle Valencia's half a billion euro debt, pay the players and the downed-tool constructors of the club's unfinished new home and sell the land the current stadium is built on.

Oh and make sure coach Unai Emery leads the side into the Champions League places.

As it stands, Gómez's chance of success in all these challenges look very bleak indeed.

Former Valencia coach Rafa Benítez is often said to have grumbled that he was only handed a lampshade when he asked for a sofa during his spell at the club.

The financial situation on the east coast is so dire these days that Emery wouldn't even get a lightbulb.

The simple fact of the matter is that Valencia Football Club is broke. Skint. Destitute. Screwed. Potless. Poor. The club should be playing on Walton's Mountain rather than in Mestalla.

But Valencia's plight cannot be blamed on sub-prime silliness or backstabbing bankers. Instead, the club's terrifying troubles stem from the complete idiocy and incompetence of the owners - incompetence that threatens the very existence of one of Europe's big cheeses.

According to accounts obtained by club members in November, Valencia is a whopping 499 million euros in debt - a figure that was around 120 million just five years ago.

It was at that point that majority shareholder and former president Juan Bautista Soler decided to pee away the club's fortunes by hiring and firing legions of coaches, sporting directors and dinner ladies, as well as splurging squillions on the less-than-useful likes of Nikola Zigic and Ever Banega - two players now on loan to other clubs.

Soler then took the decision to fund the building of a new stadium without selling the land of the old one first and all without one single thought to the future and how to pay for everything.

'They reckoned that some kind of miracle would come. The kind that football always uses and abuses,' writes Monday's editorial in AS.

Despite a year of broken promises, fudges and smudges, a deal has yet to be struck with any property tycoons - probably because they are all bankrupt now - and any agreement that is made will involve considerably less cash than budgeted for, due the tanking of Spain's land prices and construction industry.

Valencia's finances have been weakened still further by the lack of Champions League football in the current campaign.

And this can be blamed entirely on Soler's decision to sack Quique Sánchez Flores when the side were four points from the top of the table at the start of last season and replace him with Ronald Koeman, a manager who became the worst in the club's history.

After months of rumours and rumblings, Valencia's off-the-pitch problems finally came to a head in February when the company building the new Mestalla stopped work due to being owed 23 million euros by the club.

But even more seriously, Valencia ran out of cash to pay their players and staff - a total reaching a cool 15 million euros and rising.

This sparked Valencia bean counters into frantic brainstorming to find ways to raise petty cash. One of these money-grabbing methods was to announce that both the stadium and even players could be rented for weddings, birthdays and corporate shindigs.

"In moments of crisis, everyone has to help," claimed Fernando Morientes.

One of the ways of raising funds that wasn't considered by the gentleman who still claims to be president - Vicente Soriano - was to sell the club's top players to Manchester City over the winter transfer window.

This was primarily because there is no way in a billion years that the likes of David Villa would move to the north west of England.

What's more, the money received for his striking services would barely have made a dent in their debt but would have significantly reduced Valencia's chances of a top-four finish in la Liga.

It would have been like offering up your Playstation to pay off your mortgage.

But even with David Silva and company at the club, Valencia's troubles are starting to affect the team's on-the-pitch performances, despite claims by the players to the contrary.

The club has been knocked out of the UEFA Cup and has slipped to eighth after a run of five games without a win, the most recent of which being a dismal 2-1 away defeat to bottom-of-the-table Numancia on Sunday evening.

To make matters that teeny bit worse, Valencia also had to tackle that game and must face the next three without Villa, who is suffering from an ankle injury.

Gómez' first declaration to the press last week was to finally acknowledge the seriousness of the club's economic crisis, something that Soriano repeatedly failed to do.

"We are in a very difficult situation. We have to control our costs, increase our income and sell assets," warned the man with a less-than-enviable mission over the coming months.

With a squad containing Villa, Silva, Joaquín, Raúl Albiol, Luis Miguel and Carlos Marchena, there are enough floggable football fancies in Valencia's ranks to raise some cash for the club. But not half a billion euros.

It is hard to see how the club can go down the English route by hitching up their skirts to tempt a mega-rich investor, either, seeing as the cost of buying out the club's current owners and tackling the debt would involve more money that there currently exists in the world today.

Instead,Valencia are going to have to limp on, with players unpaid, the new stadium unfinished and try to halt their increasingly rapid slide down the table.

eZe^

Good old Juan Bautista Soler eh? He takes over a club who got to two consecutive CL finals, won two league titles, and a Uefa cup, all in the space of 4 years.

Then in the 4 years, he takes a clubs debt from 150 million to near 500 million, decides the way to bail the club out is the sell the Mestalla, despite having another stadium in construction.

The global economic crisis COMPLETELY annihilates the Spanish construction sector, thus nobody will buy their old stadium, they invested millions into the new stadium but it can't go ahead because of the debt. So they have no way of recouping any substantial amount of money to make the debt go away. And in this 4 years Valencia win NOTHING. Also, the team went through something like 3 new team medical doctors, 6 sporting directors and 3 managers.

Even if they get 250 million for Villa, Silva, Joaquin, Mata, Fernandes, Albiol, Albelda, Morientes, and Miguel (which they fcuking wont), that still leaves them with close to 250 million more debt.

Then once Soler leaves, in the space of a few months they end up winning the Copa Del Rey. :pac::pac: He may be the reason that Valencia become a low table club. What a shame, considering some of the talent they have had over the past 15 years.

I don't want Valencia to get a CL spot, because now that the club has come out and stated that every player is for sale, if they qualify, their entire squad will be ravaged over the summer, and they won't be able to compete next year. However the money may help the club significantly, so every cloud has a silver lining.

It's safe to say we can wave goodbye at the modern day Valencia for at least couple of years once this season finishes.

redout

eZe^ wrote: »

Good old Juan Bautista Soler eh? He takes over a club who got to two consecutive CL finals, won two league titles, and a Uefa cup, all in the space of 4 years.

Then in the 4 years, he takes a clubs debt from 150 million to near 500 million, decides the way to bail the club out is the sell the Mestalla, despite having another stadium in construction.

The global economic crisis COMPLETELY annihilates the Spanish construction sector, thus nobody will buy their old stadium, they invested millions into the new stadium but it can't go ahead because of the debt. So they have no way of recouping any substantial amount of money to make the debt go away. And in this 4 years Valencia win NOTHING. Also, the team went through something like 3 new team medical doctors, 4 sporting directors and 3 managers.

Even if they get 250 million for Villa, Silva, Joaquin, Mata, Fernandes, Albiol, Albelda, Morientes, and Miguel (which they fcuking wont), that still leaves them with close to 250 million more debt.

Then once Soler leaves, in the space of a few months they end up winning the Copa Del Rey. :pac::pac: He may be the reason that Valencia become a low table club. What a shame, considering some of the talent they have had over the past 15 years.

I don't want Valencia to get a CL spot, because now that the club has come out and stated that every player is for sale, if they qualify, their entire squad will be ravaged over the summer, and they won't be able to compete next year. However the money may help the club significantly, so every cloud has a silver lining.

It's safe to say we can wave goodbye at the modern day Valencia for at least couple of years once this season finishes.

Maybe a rich Sheikh will buy them and turn them into the next Chelski or City . Not a bad club to buy when you think about it and with some top quality players also. Spanish sides are surely worth a lot less than the english ones bar the top two.

MementoMori

Another article on Valencia - It really doesn't pull any punches on Soler.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the players to become free agents when they aren't paid? How insane would it be if Villa and Silva plus the rest of the squad became available on frees?

Vultures circle to pick over the bones of Valencia's rotting carcass

With a team in freefall the coach says a once-proud club have hit rock bottom, but the slide towards oblivion has barely begun

The man in the hard hat put his fingers to his lips and whistled. "All right, lads," he shouted, "down tools." Newspapers were ditched, trousers hitched back up over gaping cracks, and cigarettes stubbed out. The cranes that towered over the half-built arena, a gigantic white elephant seating 75,000, ceased swinging and the men in blue pants stopped what they were doing. Ten kilometres inland at Paterna, you could be forgiven for thinking that the men in the grey training kits had already done likewise. The twenty-fifth of February and Valencia admitted that work had stopped on their new stadium. Barely a fortnight later and their coach admitted that his team had hit "rock bottom".

It is no coincidence. The same crisis that stopped Valencia building their new stadium had already stopped them paying their players. And since Valencia's players stopped getting paid, they've stopped winning matches.

At the start of the year Valencia were second having just defeated an Atlético Madrid side who were unbeaten in nine. Nine games later, they're out of Europe and unlikely to get back into it too.

Down in eighth, the same number of points separate them from relegation as the top and they've won just once in their last nine matches, not at all since payments ceased six weeks ago. Yesterday, second bottom Numancia, a team who had scored two goals in eight matches scored two more in 12 minutes to beat them 2–1. In just over a month, they've been defeated by Numancia, Mallorca and Osasuna – three of the bottom four.

And yet Unai Emery was wrong. The most depressing thing about Valencia is that they could yet fall further – and not just because David Villa, scorer of almost 50% of their goals, is injured. That's merely the latest, seemingly inevitable setback for a club in crisis. After all, as the Spanish phrase has it, all a skinny dog attracts is fleas. And Valencia are one mangy mutt. With an eejit for an owner.

Valencia CF should be one of Spain's great institutions. Instead, it is a football club that hasn't hit the self-destruct button so much as bludgeoned it into submission with a sledgehammer. Between 2000 and 2004, Valencia reached two Champions League finals, won two league titles and the Uefa Cup. Then along came Juan Bautista Soler, football's very own Brian Potter. Four years later, Valencia had boasted five sporting directors, three director generals, three medical chiefs, three ostracised footballers, a day in court against their own captain, and no trophies. The club's debt had risen from €125m to over €400m, €17m each had gone on Nikola Zigic, Manuel Fernandes, and Ever Banega and over €30m was spent paying off Claudio Ranieri, Quique Sánchez Flores and Ronald Koeman. But there was always the pelotazo – develop the land upon which the training ground and Mestalla stood. Valencia would sell up, move somewhere better, and make a fortune. "We're going to be the envy of Spain," Soler said.

There was just one tiny flaw in the plan: it was rubbish. The property bubble that propped up the Spanish economy burst; economic crisis hit harder than anywhere else, leaving three million unemployed, two million new homes empty, hundreds of thousands of buildings half-finished, and Spanish football clubs owing the taxman over €600m. Soler had little choice but to walk; as if to prove a point, Valencia won the Copa del Rey within a month of his departure.

Liberation came at a price. Valencia hadn't so much been left with an albatross round their necks as a whole bunch of the beaky blighters. If embargoed Atlético Madrid thought they had it tough when they only received half the fee for Fernando Torres, Valencia are completely screwed – saddled with a bloated squad, a midfield with an average age of 72, two training grounds and two stadiums, one they couldn't sell and one they couldn't afford to build. It wasn't just the albatrosses either, there was a circle of vultures too. Since Soler's departure Valencia have had four new presidents, each as bad as the last. In six months they've had six sporting directors. Within three weeks of becoming coach, Emery had worked under more bosses than in his entire career.

First came Agustín Morera, a figurehead appointed by Soler. Then it was Juan Villalonga, former prime minister José María Aznar's bosom buddy and the man who helped make Telefónica what it is today – the world's most useless institution. He claimed that being president of Valencia was his destiny – which is why he's going to run for the presidency at Real Madrid – and promised the world. He also promised to buy Soler's shares for €76m, sack Emery, bring in Luis Aragonés and sign loads of stars. Sixteen days later he departed clutching the €10m fee Soler paid him for a fortnight running the club.

Next up was the club's second largest shareholder Vicente Soriano, who promised to pay €80m for Soler's shares and find someone to take Mestalla for €300m. He did neither. Soler threatened to take the club back, only he doesn't really want it. A €50m a year television deal with Medipro followed but it was a drop in the ocean. The fleas leapt on board. Nike abandoned them and so did the regional government; Bancaja refused to extend their credit. The debt spiralled. Valencia owed €14m to FCC and Bertolín, the companies constructing the new stadium, and €14m to the players. Eventually, Soriano admitted that he couldn't pay. "It's been lie after lie," complained Edu.

Last week, Bancaja decided they'd had enough. Owed €240m, they took over the club with the backing of Soler (still the majority shareholder), appointing Javier Gómez as executive director and going over the head of Soriano, whose 10% share package leaves him impotent and soon to be replaced. Gómez has already announced a policy of austerity. In short, administration without the administrators. Cutbacks and sales are guaranteed; payment for the players still are not forthcoming and nor is a buyer for either stadium. Far from hitting rock bottom last night, Valencia's troubles might have only just begun. Losing Villa for three weeks is no big deal; losing him for good most certainly is. And even that might not be enough for them to win their fight for survival.

Mgoraf

Valencia gone up to 4th at the weekend. IF they stay there, you think they could keep some of their bigger players because of the CL and the money raised by that??

kinaldo

Eduardo Alvarez thinks that Valencia might have turned a corner after their money troubles.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=634615&sec=europe&root=europe&cc=5739

gimmick

I think the league is going to be decided in the next 13 days. Barca to play Sevilla (H), Valencia (A) and Real (A), Real to play the same but vice versa. If b
Barca can beat Sevilla and Sevilla take something from Real, which is more than possible, and Barca take a draw from the Bernabeu, that should be that. Real are also away to Villareal in the next few weeks, so fingers crossed

I think Barca will beat Sevilla. Barca are very tight at the back lately, and are grinding out results even when not playing fantastically, a lá Getafe (despite the officials being morons the other night) and Valladolid. Sevilla are decent at home and Real will need to be top of their game to win. I think Sevilla will take a draw at least from this. BUT, I think Real will win the Classico whcih will test Barcas mettle soemthing huge in the run in.

In other words, I have no idea. I am fearful that relentless Real will pip Barca at the post.

At the other end, Espanyol are giving themselves every chance. Numancia Id say are screwed, ditto Gijon who are sliding terribly. I think Espanyol have left it too late too survive though.

Warper

I think Barca will beat Sevilla at home but then the problems start coming think and fast - it is probably the worst set of fixtures imaginable at the worst time of the season.

Valencia (a)
Chelsea (h)
R Madrid (a)
Chelsea (a)

He wont be able to play his best team for the next 5 fixtures as he has to keep at least some of them fresh for the CL. He will want a full team for the Chelsea x 2 so he will need to rest a couple this weekend and maybe 1 or 2 for the Madrid match depending on circumstances. Nightmare fixture list though.

gimmick

Its incredible. Bojan will need to fill his boots for the next few weeks, as I think he will need to start at least 2 games. Hopefully no injries or sedings off,a s the squad needs to be at 100% for the next 6 weeks. That said, Real have the same fixture list minus Chelsea.

Anyone know why Puyol played left back the other night? Thought Abidal was fit again? What was wrong with Sylvinho, or was Pep just rotating and resting?

yahoo_moe

gimmick wrote: »

Barca are very tight at the back lately, and are grinding out results even when not playing fantastically, a lá Getafe

Real are doing the exact same though Though how Barca didn't score more than 1 the other night, I'll never know.

Real have the same fixture list minus Chelsea.

But that's a massive difference. Barca's momentum should mean that it's not as big of an issue as it might be (compare the way Barca have been going recently compared to, say, United in the Premier League where I think the fixtures just seem like a chore right now) but it's never nice knowing your main rivals are resting midweek while you're preparing to play a hungry Chelsea side twice.

But as you say, it's anyone's guess - shaping up to be a really exciting finish though which is a nice change from last season. Especially with Valencia coming back to form and ready to play a part in the title race.

EDIT: Also, I only saw highlights of the Barca match the other night - but anyone have any idea what was going on between Guardiola and Henry on the sideline? Guardiola looked really animated, but I don't understand Spanish commentary so just wondering if anyone knew roughly what was being said?

Morf

Athletic have to stop the slide. It would be a huge shame for them to be relegated. I'm not sure how the Sugunda is going but i'd like Sociedad to go up.

gimmick

Robben gone for the rest of the season? Cannot say I am sad to see that

http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/04/22/1222498/real-madrid-winger-arjen-robben-picks-up-another-muscle-injury

Real Madrid Winger Arjen Robben Picks Up Another Muscle Injury
‘The Glass Man’ has sustained his umpteenth muscle injury and his absence could damage Los Blancos’ title hopes.
Real Madrid have been dealt a massive blow as they enter the critical final weeks of the campaign, after influential winger, Arjen Robben, pulled up with a muscle strain in Tuesday night’s epic 3-2 win over Getafe.

Coach Juande Ramos had decided to rest the Dutchman knowing full well that he was not in the right physical condition to play two games inside a week, but the trainer had little choice as he needed someone to spark his team to life in the second half against Los Azulones.

Robben did his job but only lasted 17 minutes before he had to be withdrawn for Royston Drenthe. And an early evaluation by Madrid’s medical services has confirmed that the €36 million man has suffered a muscle pull in his left calf, just two weeks after returning from a similar ailment on his right leg.

The club will carry out extensive tests on Wednesday morning to determine the full extent of the injury.

With Wesley Sneijder sidelined for six weeks, Gabriel Heinze struggling with an injury of his own, and Pepe likely to be handed a severe suspension for his aggressive behaviour towards Javier Casquero, Juande could be faced with a selection dilemma for El Clasico in just over ten days’ time.

Juandes laughable post match comments on Pepe

http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/04/22/1222436/juande-ramos-pepe-lost-his-cool-but-he-did-not-attack-casquero

Juande Ramos: Pepe Lost His Cool But He Did Not Attack Casquero
Los Blancos’ coach has defended his star stomper after the unsavoury scenes of Tuesday night…


Real Madrid pulled off yet another miracle to edge Getafe 3-2 after coming from behind twice and scoring the winning goal two minutes into injury time through Gonzalo Higuain.

But the pulsating encounter has been utterly overshadowed by Pepe’s brain explosion when the centre-back kicked Javier Casquero not once but twice after he had pushed the Geta midfielder to the ground to give away a penalty.

While the Portuguese immediately apologised, his coach, Juande Ramos, has attempted to rationalise his player’s actions.

“Pepe lost his cool but he did not mean to attack Casquero,” he said during the post-match press conference.

“He was more upset with himself and he only wanted to kick at the air in anger but at no moment did he intend to hurt his opponent.

“I am sure that he is very sorry and in these situations, we should forgive him for losing his temper because a lot was at stake.”

With that out of the way, Juande turned his attention to the game itself as he continued to hammer home his team’s title ambitions.

“We have been able to complete another epic fightback because the team always had faith,” he praised.

“It’s not the first time in the history of Real Madrid that the team have accomplished a comeback like this. We are going to keep fighting to get to the top of the table as long as it is still mathematically possible. We are not giving up.”

The coach then went on to justify his substitutions, including the withdrawal of Fabio Cannavaro and a very brief Arjen Robben cameo.

“The first half was very lacklustre as we were missing something. The team needed to bring the ball forward more from the back, which was why we moved Gago further up in the centre [and replaced Cannavaro with Javi Garcia].

“As for Robben, I do not regret playing him even though I knew that the number of consecutive games is hurting the player.”

Finally, Juande chastised Casquero, the victim of Pepe’s tirade, when the midfielder picked himself up and attempted a cheeky penalty which went horribly wrong.

“The way he took the penalty shows a lack of respect to the opponent,” he concluded.

Highlighted brain explosion. Thats quite funny.

He is right in saying that Casquero showed a lack of respect to the opponent. But he also showed a lack of respect to his team mates.

yahoo_moe

gimmick wrote: »

He is right in saying that Casquero showed a lack of respect to the opponent. But he also showed a lack of respect to his team mates.

I don't think it's a respect thing - he can take a penalty any way he likes as long as far as I'm concerned. As it happens, it was just a poor penalty... and scoring penalties that way would seem to be more difficult so he was probably giving his team less of a chance of scoring. But I don't think it's a respect thing (or that that's what he should be worrying about) - if a chip from open play isn't disrespectful, why is it from a penalty?

Robben out is huge - certainly looks unlikely he'll be 100% for El Clasico even if he does make it - but for me, Pepe isn't that big a loss. He's nowhere near the top-class defender they need, as he showed for the second Getafe goal last night and as he's shown numerous times before. As for it being an "accident", well... I'd have my doubts :P

c0rk3r

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adzbcZIcVTo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adzbcZIcVTo

gimmick

Interview with Pepe from the Real madrid website

http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202769926344/noticia/Noticia/Pepe_to_Marca_2009-04-23.htm

"The worst punishment I could suffer is what I'm going through these days"

Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Pepe talked about the incident during the match with Getafe in an interview with Marca. The defender apologised again for what he did. He said he is having the hardest time of his life and that he will never act like that again.

Now that a few hours have gone by since the Tuesday incident, how do you feel?
I'm distraught and I feel very sad. I feel like I've let myself down. I only find words to say I'm sorry to the players, their families, the fans and my team-mates. I didn't act well.

What explanation can you give for your reaction after tackling Casquero inside the box?
I don't know myself at that moment. I lost control during several minutes. I wanted to win in order to stay in the fight for the league title. My drive for a victory made me force a penalty.

How much is pressure to blame for what happened?
Those close to me know what football means to me and what I did was dishonest. I wanted to win the game because I regard the Club as my home. We needed three points and my mind twisted when I saw things were getting complicated. I thought I was to blame for Real Madrid losing the league title when I provoked the penalty. I was frustrated.

How have the past few hours been like for you?
That was the longest night of my life. I had never felt like that before and I hope I never do again. I fell asleep after 5 am and woke up at 8 am.

You seem to be greatly affected by all this. Have you cried?
I would be lying if I said I haven't. I have shed some tears, but I'm lucky to have people around me to support me. I'm sure this will never happen again because I want to set a good example for my children. The worst punishment I could suffer is what I'm going through these days.

Have you personally apologised to Getafe's players?
I'm going to ask Real Madrid to get their phone numbers. I want to apologise to Casquero, Albin and their families.

redout

The guy needs a full psychological battery of tests to be honest.

He was like a vicious animal that had been cornered.

The look on his face and to attack a man on the ground.

Then goes stands over the guy and tells him to get up

and when he does then he punches him in the face !

That wasnt even enough as he then had to abuse the officials.

Just shows you what type of nutjob he is.

Big ban neccessary here.