Gregory van der Wiel reaches agreement with Valencia CF

Ajax's right back Van der Wiel has confirmed to the Dutch media that he has reached an agreement with Valencia CF and that the deal will have him stay at Valencia CF until 2017, of course if negotiations go smoothly between the two clubs.

If the deal goes through Van der Wiel will stay at Ajax until the end of the current season, in a similar fashion to the deal Valencia made with Lille over Adil Rami.

So far the sides haven't reached an agreement over the transfer fee with Valencia offering 6 million and Ajax wanting 10 million, though sources have it that is deal could be reached for 7 million euros.

Valencia to face Stoke in Europa League

The draw for the Champions League and the Europa League is over and all the matches are now known.

Valencia CF was very lucky and avoided all of the dangerous opponents and will face Stoke City. This is probably the best outcome one could have hoped for and with the major players like Manchester City, Manchester United, Porto and Ajax all to be eliminated by one another Valencia CF is going to have a good path, assuming we win against Stoke first though.

If we win against Stoke City then the possible opponent is Trabzonspor or PSV.


Europa League Last 32
Porto v Manchester City
Ajax v Manchester United
Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletic Bilbao
Salzburg v Metalist
Stoke v Valencia
Rubin v Olympiacos
AZ v Anderlecht
Lazio v Atletico Madrid
Steaua v Twente
Viktoria Plzen v Schalke
Wisla v Standard Liege
Braga v Besiktas
Udinese v PAOK
Trabzonspor v PSV
Hannover v Club Brugge
Legia v Sporting Lisbon

Valencia to resume construction of new Mestalla

Valencia announced that it has reached an agreement with Bankia to resume construction of the new stadium as soon as next year, which is basically just two weeks away.

The deal will have Bankia loan Valencia 140 million euros for the completition of the new Mestalla, while Valencia CF gives away the current Mestalla land and new Mestalla land, including the hotel to the bank and in turn have their 240 million debt to the bank wiped out.

Ultimately Valencia CF will now still be about 260 million in debt, but that is about 100 million less than it currently is.

The fact that 140 million is not enough to finish the new stadium means that Valencia CF will have monetary help from the local government to build the stadium.

Valencia president Manuel Llorente was pretty excited about the deal saying how Valencia CF will have one of the best stadiums in Europe, but realistically he was under pressure to do something and with the stadium already suffering at least 1-2 million in repair damages every year and no end to Spain's financial troubles he probably was forced into this deal.

Still its better than holding onto huge debts and decaying stadium.

Chelsea FC 3-0 Valencia CF player ratings

Diego 6 - Had to make 3 saves and did a good job, arguable if he can do more for the first goal.
Barragan 5 - At fault for the first goal, he fell down and allowed Mata to provide the assist to Drogba. Was nowhere to react on the second one as well, although wasn't at fault directly.
Rami 4 - Suspect at all times with poor defending for the first goal and poor defending overall.
Ruiz 3.5 - Poor defending all round, directly responsible for the second goal and suspect at all times, but you got to realize he was injured and shouldn't have even played in such an important match unfit and out of form.
Alba 4.5 - Suspect in defense with some poor clearances. Did well in attack, but was too little too bad.
Albelda 6 - Good display from the veteran who was the only person not scared from Chelsea and made few defensive interceptions.
Tino 5.5 - Poor delivery from set pieces which are supposed to be his biggest strength. I feel like he was maybe a little bit tired as he played just 3 days ago on the weekend against Espanyol.
Feghuoli 5.5 - The only player that created a few actions and tried hardest to do something, but had no one to play with.
Jonas 5 - Completely anonymous and I'm, surprised Emery didn't change him on half time.
Mathieu 5.5 - Was decent in attack with some good link-up play with Alba and Tino and provided few crosses, but he is not sophisticated enough to be a real winger. He has good crosses and speed, but he is too simple of a player and doesn't cut inside ever to be a real winger and VCF need to find a good winger in the winter.
Soldado 5 - Didn't see the ball at all. Apart from one shot he had absolutely no service.
Subs:
Aduriz 5 - One header towards goal, a good one as well, but that was about it.
Pablo 5 - Worse than Feghuoli and literally only had 4-5 touches with the ball.
Parejo 5 - Didn't add anything at all.

Unai Emery 4 - Said he would play Miguel against Chelsea and back off on his own word and that negatively reflected as Barragan was pretty much responsible for the first goal.
He also played Ruiz straight out of injury when he probably isn't even fully fit and it backfired miserable as Ruiz was crap all night long. He also was wrong to start searching for a quick goal from the start and in these kind of cases its better to just sit back and slowly grind out a goal somewhere in the 80-90 minute and have little time for the opposition to recover.

I need someone to get me Unai Emery email so that I can send him my tactical analysis of my deep studies before matches like this.

Chelsea FC vs Valencia CF - Match Preview

Chelsea FC vs Valencia CF

Stadium: Stamford Bridge

6th fixture, Champions League

Expected attendance: 42.000

Coaches: Andre Villas-Boas and Unai Emery

Here we are once again meeting Chelsea in the Champions League and who would have thought its for a spot in the last sixteen as neither team has managed to guarantee a place as Valencia CF failed to win in the first match against Genk and Chelsea lost in the last match against Leverkusen and thus in the last round both team will fight for a place in the round of 16 and there is only one slot left.

Theoretically both Chelsea and Valencia could qualify, but Genk would have to win against Leverkusen and Chelsea and Valencia drawing, which judging from their last game is not going to happen.

Both managers have come out and said they are going for victory and Emery wants Valencia to score early so it can close out the match routinely, although I have a feeling its going to be anything but routinely. With both midfields suffering as Lampard has been under-performing and Ever Banega while traveled to London is supposedly still injured and can't perform its going to be up to the teams attacks where the game is going to be decided. 

Chelsea FC are coming to this match after a series of bad results and sort of a mini-crisis, although they won their last match against Newcastle convincingly 3-0. Newcastle also had a great defensive record prior to that match and so while probably not 100% back to form, Chelsea are looking better and better and from my deep analysis before this match their problem was David Luiz and Frank Lampard. They pretty much performed miserably and are mostly to blame. Hopefully Boas won't realize this and will play both of them against Valencia.

Juan Mata and Sturridge have been the best performing players in Chelsea, with Terry closely following with mostly reliable performances at the back. There has been talk that Anelka has been sold or very close to it and if the reports are true it will mean he won't feature in the team and that leaves them with the old Drogba, still inexperienced Sturridge and the out of form and misfiring Torress. 

Can Chelsea put it together and fire up for this match to beat Valencia and qualify for the last 16 or will they continue in their slump and fail miserably at the hands of Valencia!

Valencia CF on the other hand are coming off a more modest win on the weekend against Espanyol, but it was a hard fought victory and one that will surely boost the team confidence coming to this match against Chelsea. Roberto Soldado has also been firing on all 8 cylinders and scored a goal within minutes of coming on against Espanyol giving Valencia the victory. Tonight we'll need him to be precise and 100% on target if Valencia is to win.

Our midfield will also need to be working 110% to be able to cope with the 4-3-3 formation of Chelsea who are going to have a man more in midfield, although our 4-2-3-1 formation is more flexible in that you can easily put 6 people in attack and 5 people in defense really fast, although that requires a lot of running.

Technical Details Chelsea FC (probable setups):
Formation: 4-3-3
Line-up: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard, Meireles; Sturridge, Drogba, Mata.
Tactics: Medium defensive line, own half closing, three way attacks, free role Mata, mostly short passing.

Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups)
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Line-up: Diego; Barragan, Rami, Ruiz, Alba; Tino, Albelda; Pablo, Jonas, Mathieu; Soldado.
Tactics: Medium defensive line, all round pressure, positional changes from the wingers, 3 way attacks, mixed passing.

Result prediction

Valencia CF 1-1 Chelsea FC

We are going to go for a quick goal, Emery said that is what he wants so the team will go all in from the beginning and try to get a quick goal. Ultimately I see two outcomes either 1-1 draw or 3-1 win for Valencia.

Valencia CF 2-1 RCD Espanyol - Match Report

In the 5th minute Dealbert was fouled in the penalty area abd Valencia CF given a penalty, with Tino Costa taking it and with a powerful shot in the 90% degrees of the net scoring to put Valencia CF in the lead 1-0. Before the penalty was given Rami actually scored with a header, but of course the whistle was already blown.

Pressing from Valencia CF in the next 5 minutes, but no chance for a goal and Espanyol would threaten in the 11th minute after an throw-out, but luckily no player from Espanyol was close to ball to head it towards goal.

15th minute a good run by Alba on the left and manages a cross, but it couldn't quite found Aduriz.

19th minute Aduriz with a good run after being released by Pablo that results in a shot, but the Espanyol goalkeeper saves his goal. Just seconds after a chance for Pablo on the right and then a shot from Tino Costa, but again the goalkeeper saves.

Espanyol then pushed forward and Rami makes a mistake allowing a pass by him, but luckilly Dealbert was alert and block it in the last moment or it could have been very dangerous.

27th minute almost a chance for Valencia after a good one-two by Topal and Mathieu allowed Mathieu through on goal, but the final ball was missing. Moments later Alba claimed a second penalty after falling in the penalty area after a bit of struggle with a defender, but the referee denied it.

Few actions in a row for Valencia later and a shit on goal after a korner with Aduriz heading the ball just wide off goal.

First half ended with Valencia on the attack and trying to score a 2nd goal, even though Espanyol had more of the possession.

First 10 minutes of the second half were quite uneventful with just one decent chance for Valencia from the left side.

The next 10 minutes till 65th were mostly attacks and tries by Espanyol , but unable to directly threaten Diego on goal. All that attacking play would pay off though as Rami makes a mistake and allowes Moeno to score a goal for Espanyol in the 68th minute.

Nice pass by Jonas in the 75th minute, but Aduriz there failed to react in time and missed a good opportunity.

Soldado would replace Aduriz and just minute after coming on in the 79th minute would score a goal with his head after a corner kick taken by Tino Costa.

Espanyol would desperately try to score once again till the end, but Valencia CF ended up defending and managed to win.

Player Ratings:
Diego 6 - Not tested too much and had one good save in the first half and generally stable on corners and crosses. Did not have a chance for the goal.
Barragan 6 - Did well defensively, but failed to go forward too much and didn't link up with Pablo at all.
Rami 4.5 - Bad match for Rami as he made two crucial mistakes and smaller ones like dribbling in his own half and loosing the ball few times. Guilty for allowing Morano to score as he failed to clear the ball.
Dealbert 6.5 - Positive performance from Dealbert and dealt with everything Espanyol could throw at him.
Alba 7 - Great match from Alba with crucial interventions in the back and great work as well going in attack.
Topal 6 - Simple passing and good defensive cover with few rare forward arrays.
Tino 6 - Scored from the penalty with a powerful and accurate shot, but completely overrun in the midfield and seemed quite tired or unwilling to run. Rather poor performance by him, but he made up for it with his good set pieces play and providing the assist to Soldado with his corner kick.
Pablo 5.5 - Rather anonymous performance with few decent passes and few misplaced passes. Overall did not contribute too much.
Piatti 6 - Started slow, but went on to trouble Espanyol on several occasions with his runs, but as with the rest of the attackers failed to link-up with everyone.
Mathieu 6.5 - Best of the forwards with several good runs and crosses and good link-up play with Alba.
Aduriz 5.5 - Had few runs, but could not find himself in goalscoring positions and realistically didn't have too much support.
Subs:
Bruno 5.5 - Replaced Barragan at half time and did well defensively, but did worse in attack than Barragan.
Jonas 5.5 - Had one good through pass and a shot, but failed to do too much.
Soldado 6 - Came in and scored in his first minute to win Valencia the match. Good stuff.

Valencia CF vs RCD Espanyol Match Preview

Valencia CF vs RCD Espanyol

Stadium: Mestalla

03.12.11; 22:00 CET

17th matchday, La Liga

Expected Attendance: 40.000

Coaches: Unai emery and Mauricio Pochettino

Valencia CF has been in great form the last few weeks with wins in the Champions League and La Liga. We are third position on the table just 4 points behind Barcelona, a feat that would have seemed impossible one or two years ago. Surprisingly though Levante, the other Valencia based club is hot on our heels with just one less point and even though we defeated them in a good fashion 2-0, they seem to be doing pretty well for themselves and are proving to be stiff competition so far.

Valencia CF just needs to continue winning, grinding out wins if it has to and keep close to the big two this season as that is the goal, the overall objective set by the president Llorente and Emery. We welcome RCD Espanyol at the Mestalla today and unlike last season where they were in the top 4 positions with some great defensive displays, Espanyol are at the more modest 9th position on the table right now.

As far as injuries and recovery, Guaita is recovered, but will still not feature just in case and Ever Banega and Ricardo Costa are progressing well, but still got some way to go before they are fit to even be in contention for selection. Victor Ruiz is also in question and probably won't play, but its not exactly sure. In other news Miguel has had a bit of a slip up in his behavior and has missed training by some 30 minutes and as punishment Emery will not include him for this match, which means most likely Barragan is going to start again as he seems to be better than Bruno.

Soldado and Jonas are probably going to be rested and Aduriz and Piatti should take their places. I'd also expect Parejo to feature, but that may be taking it a bit far for Emery and he is probably going to play it safe with Tino Costa.

RCD Espanyol on the other hand are 9th on the table with only 17 points a staggering number of 6 losses so far. They haven't been liking in the back, but have one of the poorest scoring records in the league so far with only 10 goals scored, Valencia in comparison has scored 21 goals. They are also worse when visiting teams and haven't been able to hold out for draws.

Espanyol's last three matches have been decent with two draws and one loss, but they will be hoping for some wins at least in the future if at against Valencia. They are likely to be very motivated for this match and as always I predict that Valencia CF will need to suffer in order to get a result, but we should win over Espanyol and have ease of mind and be comfortable going into the Champions league match against Chelsea!

Result Prediction:
Valencia CF 2-0 RCD Espanyol