I was right about Barcelona and La Liga

Before the start of the 2011/12 season I wrote an article titled "Valencia CF will destroy FC Barcelona"and while this was to gain attention more than anything, I was right about the premise about Barcelona's fall this season and everything happened exactly as I wrote. David Villa got to a really bad start and then got injured long term, Xavi started well, but finished bad, Puyol was riddled with injuries and wasn't at full form even when fit, Inesita predictably didn't perform to his best when without Xavi, Pedro turned out to be a flop just like Bojan Krkic and the arrival of Cesc Fabregas actually turned out to hurt Barcelona more than help.

I know many are now probably wondering what in the hell am I talking about? How has Cesc arrival been bad for Barcelona?

Well thing is I knew about Cesc possible arrival before I wrote the article and I knew it is a high possibility, but I knew that ultimately it won't make a difference, because I knew about Guardiola's wish to play "total football" or have the whole team be basically midfielders, but I knew that this will also be his downfall as it would only crowd the midfield and hinder Barcelona's own play and style. I knew it Guardiola would play Cesc alongside Xavi and Iniesta and Busquets and I knew that he will be playing the 3-4-3 often this season and this is why I wrote the article confident about it, whether Cesc arrived or not.

I also predicted that Valencia CF would come closer to Barcelona and Real Madrid and this was actually the case in the first half of the season. What exactly happened in the second half I am still not exactly sure, but point is this was still a more successful season that last year for example as we went further in the Copa and Europa League, than in recent years. While Valencia did not destroy Barcelona, it did come out as equal on 3 occasions and some may argue even better in at least one.

I also predicted that Real Madrid would win La Liga and that is now confirmed.

Stay tuned for end of season awards and choosing of our best player this season, best newcomers and worst player of the season.

Valencia CF interested in Joao Pereira

Spanish club Valencia CF is interested in securing the services of Sporting's Lisbon right back Joao Pereira (28) and is reportedly ready to offer up to 6 million euros for the player.

Joao Pereira is 28 years old and has played for Sporting Lisbon since 2010, joining the Portugal national team at the same year and appearing 13 times for Portugal.

Valencia CF sporting director Braulio Vazquez confirmed Valencia's interest in Joao Pereira, but said they'll wait until Valencia CF new coach Mauricio Pellegrino to have the last say and he will be able to choose between few players for that position with the biggest names being Joao Pereira and Mathieu Debuchy.

Jinko Solar extends contract with Valencia CF

Chinese solar company Jinko Solar has extended the collaboration with Valencia CF until 2014. Jinko Solar became Valencia CF sponsor this year at the start of the second half of the season and with Valencia's good showing in the Europa League Jinko Solar has decided the exposure is big to extend the contract for two more years.

Valencia CF president Manuel Llorente said that this is a great collaboration, he said he was sure Valencia CF will keep improving and growing together with Jinko Solar.
Jinko Solar Spanish director of marketing Arturo said that Valencia CF is one of the best and most known clubs in Europe, has huge fanbase of millions of people and it made sense to continue the collaboration.

Mauricio Pellegrino is Valencia CF new coach

Former Valencia CF player Mauricio Pellegrino will be Valencia CF new coach, according to few Spanish websites. Now while this isn't official, its very likely this is the case.

Pellegrino played for Valencia CF from 1999 to 2005, being in the team that reached two Champions League finals and of course from year 2000 pairing Ayala as the back and winning two Spanish League titles.

He had a short stint at Liverpool, but it didn't turn out well and he ended his career one year later at Alaves.

He has worked as a coach since 2007 coaching one of Valencia's youth teams, and then in 2008 joining Rafael Benitez as assistant at Liverpool and then Inter.

Official: Jonathan Viera joins Valencia CF

Its official, Jonahtan Viera is a Valencia CF player. Valencia CF and UD Las Palmas have reached an agreement over the transfer of attacking midfielder Jonathan Viera for a price of 2.5 million euros.

The transaction includes a payment schedule that begins with the release of one million euros to sign the contract. During the season 2012/2013, Valencia will face paying another million euros. The remaining 500,000 euros paid in two installments, € 250,000 each, the first two times the club reach the Champions League over the next five years, or in case of transfer.

Jonathan Viera is 22 years old attacking midfielder who started his career at UD Las Palams B team, but in just two years was promoted to the senior team where he has played two years and scored 15 goals for that time.

The agreement will be officially announced at a press conference in few days.

Valencia CF interested in Oliver Giroud

Valencia CF is interested in Montepellier attacker Oliver Giroud who is one of the top scorers in the French league with 19 goals scored, but who also has 8 assists and is considered an overall great player who can score and create opportunities.

Valencia CF plans to sign a new striker in the summer, as its likely that Aritz Aduriz will leave as he has not shown the kind of games that the club officials expected and in down is scoring as well.
Oliver Giroud is 1.92 meters and is considered the perfect replacement as he is good in the air, but possesses good technical ability as well.

Valencia CF is said to be prepared to offer up to 10 million euros for the player and not a penny more, while also having good alternatives if they fail to reach an agreement with Montepiller for the price of the player.

Valencia CF 4-0 Osasuna - player ratings

Guaita 5 - Not tested at all. I think he only had to make 2 easy saves.
Barragan 6 - Not troubled defensively at all and went forward to good extend, linking up nicely with Pablo.
Rami 6 - Easy match for Rami as he wasn't troubled and dealt with what little came his way nicely.
R. Costa 6 - Same as Rami. Dealt with what little had to deal with nicely.
Alba 8.5 (MotM) - Amazing play by Alba and one that attracts big sides like Barcelona to him. Great offensive display with blistering fast movement, good crosses and great link up play with Piatti. Provided one assist and involved in all but one of the goals.
Albelda 5.5 - Not troubled defensively, although he broke up few Osasuna attacks. Generally a useful asset and assisted with the passing in midfield.
Tino Costa 5.5 - A bit more offensive, some decent crosses, but wasn't instrumental in the play or the win.
Pablo 7.5 - Great performance tonight for the under pressure winger and performances like this help bring the confidence in him. Good crosses and play with Barragan on the side, caused Osasuna problems throughout.
Jonas 6.5 - Reserved performance in the first half, wasting some good chances, similar play in the second half until he found himself in the right place at the right time on two occasions and scored two goals.
Mathieu 5 - Probably played more defense this match, but didn't offer anything and wasn't challenged at the back. Replaced early and justifiably by Piatti.
Soldado 5 (FotM) - Had two decent chances, but failed to convert them into goals. Generally slow and clumsy, he is obviously out of form.
Subs:
Piatti 7.5 - Great performance from the little Argentinian, amazing link-up play with Alba on the left and started off two of the actions that lead to goals and provided the assist to the third goal.
Aduriz 7.5 - Changed the game. Was there to score the first goal and that changed the game completely. Scored one more and involved with the fourth goal.
Parejo 5 - Didn't have much time to influence the game and actually failed to do so. If it was up to him Valencia would have probably drawn.