Beñat Etxebarria to Valencia CF?

Real Betis midfielder Beñat Etxebarria has a contract agreement with them till 2014, but he has refused to extend his contract and will be leaving this summer. Last summer they got several offers of up to 10 million for him, but they rejected them all, but the following summer they will have no option but to look at offers as they don't want to loose him in 2014 for free.

Valencia CF is highly interested in Beñat Etxebarria and has already made contact with his representatives, trying to asses if he would like to join Valencia CF. Reports are that he would be interested in joining Valencia CF and while there hasn't been talks about salary he would be offered around 1.1 million euros, which would be over a million more of what he earns now.

Beñat Etxebarria is 26 years old and is one of Betis key players this season and last. He is a central midfielder the text book one and not a convert from attacking midfielder or defensive one. He has the playmaking skills, passing skills.

According to Spanish sources several clubs are interested in acquiring his services, including few clubs from England, German Wolfsburg is still interested in him and Atletico Madrid from Spain are interested in him as well, so Valencia CF really has tough competition to get him and will likely need to churn out the 10 million to get him.

This would of course mean that Parejo, Tino Costa or even Banega may leave. I don't think its going to be Banega as he has huge talent and can play even better than his recent showings, but one of Tino or Parejo is very likely to leave. First there is the money issue, as Valencia CF would need to get the money and while they are going to get around 10 million for Diego Alves that would only cover say going in for Iago Aspas.

Nelson Valdez becomes Valencia CF player

Nelson Haedo Valdez is officially a new Valencia CF player. Valencia CF purchased him for 3 million euros from Rubin Kazan with club officials impressed by his performances and the fact that he is a really down to earth and loyal player.

He was given a 2 year contract that will have him stay with Valencia CF until 2015. Nelson Valdez in a press conference stated that he is very happy that he has become a permanent player of Valencia CF and is looking forward to giving his all for his new club.

I like this decision as he has shown that he is useful to Valencia CF, but he also doesn't give problems for not being a starter. I think this is a smart decision, maybe the 3 million price was a bit on the high, but overall its a good deal.

Sofiane Feghouli to be sold in the summer

Sofiane Feghouli is set to be sold in the summer if an offer of 15 million euros or more comes to Valencia CF. The club has plans to bring in Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo, Víctor Machín Pérez Vitolo from Las Palmas,  Alejandro Arribas from CA Osasuna and obviously one more defensive midfielder as I don't see Gago staying and with Albelda almost certainly ending his stay at Valencia CF we need one more quality defensive midfielder or if Victor Ruiz is fully converted to that position then another defender for all of which the club would need at least 20 million euros, money which the club doesn't have. The likely option for defensive midfielder right now is Vicente Iborra from Levante for about 6 million euros, which is his buyout clause.

There could be a significant gain if the team goes through the round of 16 in the Champions League, but it wont be a game changer and from the now almost guaranteed sale of Diego Alves the club could cash in around 12 million if lucky, still at least 8 million short, most likely more.

The assessment right now is that Sofiane Feghouli is over rated and officials see Pablo Piatti, Vittolo and even Barnat on the right wing as more than able to replace Feghouli. Since Feghouli has garnered a lot of attention if he reaches a transfer fee of 15 million or more he will be sold.

Personally I think 15 million euros is decent enough of a price to sell him, I mean its a risk that he may improve even more and go on to be world class or he could stay at the current level or improve insignificantly and thus his sale won't be a big deal, but these things are always a gamble. Of course there is still a lot of time till the summer and things can certainly change.

Real Zaragoza 2-2 Valencia CF Match Report

Valencia CF scrapped away with one point from what was a very competitive and difficult match against Real Zaragoza.

I knew the defense won't be on par for this match as Ricardo Costa and Victor Ruiz haven't played together too much and Ruiz was coming from a midfielder perspective in the past several matches and so that proved correct as Valencia CF conceded 2 goals, though there is a bigger problem right now and that is Ricardo Costa got injured during the match and had to be substituted.

So right now Valencia CF only has one central defender in Victor Ruiz and we need to see if R. Costa's injury is serious or if he can recover in several days.

The first half was equal for both teams, neither being able to control the game and create too many chances, though Real Zaragoza took the lead early on as they got a penalty awarded to them. Diego Alves for being known as penalty saver hasn't really shown his skills there and really hasn't saved any penalty.

Real Zaragoza would increase their lead in the 32nd minute through H. Postiga, though Valencia CF would be quick to respond and Jonas would score a goal in the 36th minute to keep Valencia's chances and give the team the belief that they can still get a decent result.

In the second half Ever Banega would replace Sergio Canales with just 7 minutes passed and Valencia CF would gain a stronger control of the ball which in turn did provide Valencia CF with few chances.

It would be Jonas again in the 69th minute who would equalize the score who managed to strike the ball and put in into the net.

Valencia CF would be able to score again in the 77th minute, but Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Leo Franco would come out of his goal and even penalty area and touch the ball with his hands which of course saved the goal, but he got a straight red card. From the resulting free kick Parejo would shoot accurately on goal, but the newly arrived keeper would save that.

Towards the very end Real Zaragoza would score, but the referee whistled foul on Diego Alves and save Valencia Cf the blushes. Ultimately I'd say a 2-2 result was fair and Valencia CF didn't deserve more with the play it showed for most of the match.

Technical details:
R. Zaragoza (2): Leo Franco, Movilla, Álvaro, H. Postiga, Apoño (Stefan, min. 46), Montañés, Fernández, José Mari (Alcolea, min. 82), Loovens, Abraham y Rochina (Oriol, min. 74).
Valencia CF (2): Alves, Cissokho, Albelda (Valdez, min. 80), Jonas, Feghouli, Soldado, Joao, Víctor Ruiz, R. Costa (Mathieu, min. 65), Dani Parejo y Canales (Ever, min. 52).
Goals: 1-0 Min. 4 Apoño (p.) 2-0 Min. 33 H. Postiga 2-1 Min. 35 Jonas 2-2 Min. 69 Jonas

Player Ratings:
Diego Alves 5.5 - Did have few decent saves, but this wasn't one of his best matches and as a penalty expert he sure hasn't given justice to his nickname.
Joao Pereira 6.5 - One of the most consistent player on the field with great striking potency and defended very well as well.
R. Costa 5.5 - Was a little insecure and his partnership with Ruiz looks shaky, though as time passed he got more confident and comfortable, but got injured in the second half.
Ruiz 5.5 - Not good defensively, caused the penalty, but he did provide the crucial header to Jonas who scored a goal from it and gets an assist to his name.
Cissokho 7 - Went forward to great extend, especially in the second half and also provided the cross for the first goal. Did well enough in defense as well.
Albelda 5.5 - Unfortunately failed to shield the defense good enough and was rather slow in midfield, having been overrun in the first half by Real Zaragoza midfielders.
Parejo 5.5 - Mixed bag performance with really inefficient first half and several mistakes throughout the match reminiscent of his bad form days of last season and early in this season.
Feghouli 5.5 - Was very ineffective in the first half and slightly better in the second half as Valencia CF took more control on the match and had few good crosses, but nothing major.
Canales 5 - I'd say a lacking performance from Canales who had the chance to really stand out and provide something more, but I think its still too early in his recovery for him to be giving 100% and would hope he doesn't start too much and is eased into action.
Jonas 7.5 - Was his usual self that doesn't do too much overall, with the added exception of being in the right places at the right times and scoring two goals. He should look to score more goals like this every time he plays.
Soldado 5.5 - Some reports say he provided the assist to Jonas, but to me it seemed like Soldado missed the ball or deliberately left it. Either way he wasn't a big threat in the match and apart from few good combinations further away from goal he didn't do much.
Subs:
Banega 6 - Brought in  more control when he came on and while he wasn't too directly involved he had a positive influence on the team and combined well in midfield.
Mathieu 6 - Good defensive performance and had one key interception and few won duels, had also a good header on goal that was saved. Overall a good comeback from the Frenchmen after a long injury.
Valdez N/A - Did not have time to make an impact and he didn't.

Real Zaragoza vs Valencia CF Match Preview

Real Zaragoza vs Valencia CF Match Preview

Stadium: La Romareda

Date: 23.02.2013; 18:00 CET

25th matchday, La Liga

             Coaches: Manolo Jiménez and Ernesto Valverde

Valencia CF is coming to this match after a 2-0 victory over RCD Mallorca from last week in which Valencia CF continued its good form in the Spanish league and now finds itself in 5th position, just two points off of 4th position with a chance to overtake Malaga if Valencia CF wins over Real Zaragoza and Malaga lose.

The team did not fare as well in the Champions league, loosing the match at home 1-2 to PSG and going one step closer to going out of the competition, though good news is that Ibrahimovich got a red card and will not be available for the second leg and this gives Valencia CF small chance to actually beat PSG, although its going to be hard.

Real Zaragoza has been historically been a tough opponent, though this season hasn't been good for them and in the past 7 matches they haven't won, but have lost 5 times and drew 2 times, so their recent record is terrible and has left them sitting in 17th position on the table, just 4 points over relegation zone Celta Vigo.

For the fist time in a very long time Jeremy Mathieu is back in the squad after recovering fully from his injury and will be ready to start in the match, though the coach is probably going to choose Cissokho over him this time, with Guardado starting at left wing.

Ever Banega has also recovered from his injury and is likely to start with David Albelda and Daniel Parejo in the middle with Feghouli starting at right wing, though the coach Valverde had a long talk with him in one of the training sessions, because he was displeased with his performance and may even bench him for this match, though he would probably get another chance.

Valencia CF squad:

Goalkeepers: Guaita, Alves.
Defenders: Joao, Ricardo Costa, Víctor Ruiz, Cissokho, Mathieu.
Midfielders: Albelda, Éver Banega, Dani Parejo, Sergio Canales, Guardado, Piatti, Feghouli.
Forwards: Jonas, Valdez, Roberto Soldado.

Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups):
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Line-up: Alves; Pereira, R. Costa, Ruiz, Cissokho; Albelda, Banega, Parejo; Feghuoli, Soldado; Guardado.
Tactics: High defensive line, own half pressure, high frequency wing attacks, mixed passing, doubling down in attack.

Result prediction:
Real Zaragoza 1-2 Valencia CF
While Real Zaragoza have been loosing a lot they haven't been outright outplayed and they know how to score a goal, with Valencia CF also having a change in the defense with Rami being injured and Ruiz to take his place for the first time in a long time and you have a recipe for Valencia CF to concede a goal. That said Valencia CF has been playing very good at home and should have enough firepower to outscore Real Zaragoza and win.

FC Anzhi to purchase Adil Rami for 12 million

Russian football giants FC Anzhi Makhachkala are preparing a 12 million offer to purchase Valencia CF central defender Adil Rami in the summer. Such an offer would actually reach Adil Rami's buyout clause which is 12 million euros right now. The buyout clause started out at 25 million euros, but each year it reduces and in the summer will only be 12 million euros, which means Anzhi can just buy out Adil Rami.

Adil Rami contract expires in 2015,so he still has a long stay if the buyout clause is not met, which could force Manuel Llorente to renegotiate and extend his contract sooner rather than later.

The player's representatives say, however, that Rami and Valencia CF have not received a concrete offer for the player.

Valencia CF interested in Sabri Sarıoğlu

Valencia CF  is very closely following Sabri Sarioglu, reports sabah.com.tr, with the intention of buying him in the summer. He is a versatile Turkish footballer, enlisted in the ranks of Galatasaray, who can play as right wing and as right back.

Sarioglu has a contract with Galatasaray until June 30, 2014 and has an option to renew on the table.

Reports have it that Valencia CF scouts were monitoring him last night at the match between Galatasaray and Schalke 04.