Valencia CF vs AC Milan Match Preview

Tomorrow Valencia CF will meet AC Milan at the Mestalla stadium in a preseason tournament that includes the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea FC, etc... This will be the first match of the tournament and in order for Valencia CF to go through they would need to beat AC Milan as its an elimination tournament, instead of group stages and should Valencia CF win they will face the winner of the match between Chelsea FC and Inter Milan.

The previous three preseason friendlies didn't go Valencia's way even even though one may say the new coach Djukic was testing stuff and trying out different strategies, its still negative to loose or only manage to draw especially against considerably weaker opponents.

Tomorrow night is the important test though and we'll see how good or bad Valencia CF really is. We'll see if this team can compete for Champions League spot or if the team is doomed to being mediocre with the terrible financial situation it is in.

Of course if Roberto Soldado is sold in the next couple of days, that would be another big blow to Valencia CF who so far has failed to bring in any really solid reinforcement to an already quite weak team, that only managed Europa league last season. So losing Soldado would be huge and something the team may not recover from, especially since he is one of the best strikers out there, certainly in the top 10 in the world and a very experienced striker at that as well.

I don't know what to expect from the match, the coach has said he will field a strong starting eleven and won't make too many changes in the course of the match, so I'm expecting them to play 100% to their ability, the question is, is that good enough?

If I had to analyse things the team is pretty much the same from last year, with Albelda and Tino leaving, while Javi Fuego and Michel arriving, I think its a decent exchange of players that doesn't make us weaker, as Javi Fuego even though he lacks experience, he is younger than Albelda and can give us more in terms of field coverage and playing time.

From the strikers only Nelson Valdez left and we may be lacking a ready replacement for Soldado, but at some point we either have to trust in Paco or just sell him or loan him again.

So I'd say we are quite equal in terms of skill, question is whether that is enough and if the team can actually challenge the bigger teams.

Pablo Piatti to leave Valencia CF

Pablo Piatti is set to leave Valencia CF and right now has three interested parties in French Stade Rennais, and two Spanish clubs that want to get him on a one year loan. Valencia CF president wants to sell Piatti so he can get the money and of course balance the budget, but at the same time he is reducing the quality and quantity of the squad.

I mean Pablo Piatti may not have turned out the second Messi fans hoped he will, but he hasn't been a complete disappointment either and I don't think we need to get rid of him this easily.

Chances are that Pablo Piatti will leave if Valencia CF reaches an agreement over the transfer fee with Stade Rennais.

Hélder Postiga is Roberto Soldado replacement?

Reports from Portugal claim that Hélder Postiga has reached personal agreement with Valencia CF and the two clubs are also very close reaching agreement over his transfer fee in the region of 3-4 million euros, so he can instantly replace Roberto Soldado if he transfers to Tottenham.

Obviously another player for the race for Soldado is Liverpool who are likely to lose Luis Suarez and would want to bring the best possible replacement for him, but right now Tottenham are in the front seat to sign Roberto Soldado and reports from England are coming out that the player and Tottenham have reached a personal agreement.

From what I can gather Roberto Soldado is very close to leaving and transferring to Tottenham and both clubs are now negotiating over the transfer fee, with Tottenham only willing to pay 25 million euros in three parts, while Valencia CF have offered 4 parts over a period of 2 years, but for 30 million euros.

Valencia line up Fred as Soldado replacement!!!

Valencia have recently rejected second bid from English club Tottenham which was said to be around €26 M plus €4 M add ons. Valencia do not want to part company with their star striker but as there is release clause in his contract ,if triggered Valencia can do nothing but accept the offer.
Valencia president ,Amadeo Salvo  has said time and again that Valencia are not willing to sell Soldado below his Release clause. Liverpool and Tottenham are really intetested in signing the player. There is a report that both the clubs are willing to pay the release clause. So Valencia are now looking for alternatives.
Fluminense hitman Fred has been seen as a ideal replacement for Spanish goal machine. Fred has experience of playing in Europe. He played for French club Lyon between 2005-2009.
It is unclear how much Fluminese would ask for the 29 year old striker but he would not cost much. He would be afforfable, if Valencia really want to sign him. He is also a target of Tottenham.
He came into light in last confederation cup, where he helped Brazil win the cup. He scored in the final against Spain and also won Silver Boot.
He is known for his physicality and eye for goal.

Tottenham send director to Valencia for Soldado

Tottenham's technical director has been sent to Valencia to discuss a move for Soldado. With three clubs now (Napoli, Tottenham and Liverpool) all willing and able to pay the clause, they are now trying to edge each other and win the race for Soldado. It's unclear yet whether Soldado would agree to any deal or remain at the club. However, the club has set August 3rd as a deadline for Soldado's transfer to pressure clubs to act decisively and give Valencia enough time to re-invest the money.

In other news, Valencia's Plan B for Soldado now includes bringing in, not one, but two strikers to replace Soldado. I already mentioned 30 year-old Helder Postiga of Real Zaragoza being one of the strikers. It appears that 26 year-old Kevin Gameiro of PSG will be the second. Other names are Hugo Almeida (Besiktas, 29 years old) and Lucas Barrios (Guangzhou, 28 years old).

AMUNT VALENCIA!!!!

Cissokho to be loaned to Liverpool

I have said before that Cissokho was the target of many transfer rumours. Liverpool has stepped up their chase for the Valencia left-back and appear likely to get him on loan for a season. That's not all, Valencia will be kind enough to include a purchase option valued between $3-5 million euros. Cissokho has expressed his desire to stay a while back but the club appears willing to let him go.

For those who don't remember, Cissokho was purchased from Lyon for $4 million. He hasn't had many starts under Valverde which may have frustrated him. However, what is Valencia doing? The few times he has played, he has impressed. A great player who is very strong offensively and adds aggressiveness to the defense when he does get back. But if he leaves, we have 3 options to fill that spot: Bernat (recently converted to left-back by Spain U-20), Guardado or Mathieu. I can't comment on Bernat because I haven't seen him play that position. As for Guardado, I never liked his play especially as a left-back, it simply doesn't suit him. With Mathieu being used as a central defender, who is left? We will have to loan or buy a new left-back (which is what the club is planning to do) which will cost us about the same amount. And a purchase option that might be less than what we paid for him?  Look at Chelsea, they wouldn't give up Romeu except if the deal didn't include a purchase option despite the player being injured and not being used by the club. We're being far too lenient on the transfer market.

AMUNT VALENCIA!!!!

Valencia line up replacements

Many Valencia players have been linked away from Valencia due to its financial situation. The names that appear often are those of Soldado, Cissokho and Rami. Despite the first two expressing their desire to stay, Valencia have line up their replacements which signals either a doubt of their desire to stay or it shows the club's willingness to let them go. We'll see which one it is soon.

You may remember 24-year old Didac Vila from last year. He is currently on loan at Espanyol from AC Milan and plays left-back. He was originally the one to replace Jordi Alba and was all set for a loan move at the club last year. However, he failed his medical test and the loan move fell apart. Now Valencia line him as the replacement for Cissokho.

As for Soldado, the plan B is 30 year old Helder Postiga of Real Zaragoza. He currently has 23 goals in 70 games for Zaragoza and 26 goals in 61 games for Portugal. Despite having a wealth of experience at club and international level, he is a step down from Soldado. In addition, even if he succeeds, he is past the prime of his career and it won't be very long till we have to search for another striker.


What do you guys think of these two players as replacements? Good idea? Bad idea?


AMUNT VALENCIA!!!!