Analyzing Valencia’s Summer 2024 Business
Valencia have not played in Europe since 2020 when they reached the round of 16 of the Champions League. Since then, the highest position in the league has been 9th. Last season has been the closest they have been to Europe since 2019 when they ended 4th but the last few games didn’t end as expected and they were left out. Can this season finally be the one where they reach the promised land? In this article, we will be investigating Valencia’s summer business position by position.
For each position, there will be a ranking in which I put a color for each player considering the level of each player, also taking into account the manager’s system and their role. In addition, we will be taking into account Valencia’s financial situation as it leaves them with a low margin to purchase players. The ranking will go red for bad, yellow for average, and green for good.
Manager
The current manager of Valencia is former player and legend of the club Rubén Baraja which saved the club two seasons ago from relegation and last season surprised everyone with their finish in the league. He is the best manager that Valencia could have at the moment because of his importance at the club and he knows the club to perfection, as well as giving the platform for younger players to shine at the club such as Javi Guerra or Cristhian Mosquera.
Goalkeeper
Valencia have let 3rd choice goalkeeper 26-year-old Cristian Rivero leave on loan to Albacete which is a good operation to let him grow and eventually be the second-choice at the club. In addition, they have signed 30-year-old Stole Dimitriveski on a free transfer from Rayo Vallecano who will be the second-choice goalkeeper. This operation is excellent as he is a player with experience who had a good level at his previous club and can add depth and improve on the previous second-choice 33-year-old Jaume Doménech.
Furthermore, they have sold 23-year-old Giorgi Mamardashvili to Liverpool for €30 million, nonetheless, he will be staying at the club on loan this season. This sale has some pros and cons. First of all, he is staying for one more season and can help the club reach their objectives, being one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. However, his market value in Transfermarkt is €45 million so they have sold for very cheap considering his contract ends in 2027.
Defenders
Rubén Baraja plays with a back four with both of his center backs being robust and being able to win both their defensive and aerial duels. His full-backs need to be effective at defending 1vs1 situations and also moving up the pitch with the ability to join the attack and form superiorities on the wing.
Center-Backs
Valencia have let 26-year-old Eray Cömert, who was on loan last season at Nantes, leave on loan to Valladolid this season as the manager doesn’t count on him. This operation is decent as he is able to get experience in the first division in Spain and increase his market value to then sell him.
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In addition, they have also let 23-year-old Cenk Ozkacar leave on loan to Valladolid. A player who played last season in Valencia, however, he could not prove the €5 million fee paid for him last summer. This operation does not seem the greatest as although he is still playing in Spain, Valladolid do not have a similar playing style to Valencia.
Also, Valencia have brought in 27-year-old Maximiliano Caufriez on loan from Clermont Foot. This operation seems poor as he has never played in Spain and does not increase the level of Valencia’s current center-backs who are younger and have room for improvement.
Left at the club are 20-year-old sensation Cristhian Mosquera who was one of the best defenders last season in La Liga. Keeping him was a great idea, as he still has much to offer to the club. In addition, there is 19-year-old Yarek Gasiorowski who is called to be one of the best defenders in Europe, winning the U-19 European Championship with Spain and him being one of the most important players.
Moreover, there is 22-year-old César Tárrega returning from loan at Valladolid and showed an excellent level with attributes that can be important for Ruben Baraja. However, something Valencia should have taken into account this season in an essential position of the pitch is experience as these players are very young and an older center-back would help them progress. Finally, there is 27-year-old Mouctar Diakhaby who has been injured since March and will remain injured for most of the season.
Right-Backs
In the right-back position, Valencia have not made any changes with both 25-year-old Thierry Rendall and 31-year-old Dimitri Foulquier remaining. Both of these players are excellent in 1vs1 situations, nonetheless, in attack they have many deficiencies and that is something Valencia should have improved in this summer.
Left-Backs
Valencia have not had any departures or incomings in the left-back position leaving 29-year-old club captain José Gayà and 21-year-old Jesús Vázquez. Both of these players are known more for their contributions in attack rather than in defense.
Nonetheless, Gayà’s attacking contributions are extremely important for the team and when he doesn’t play, the team notices it. Jesús Vázquez on the other hand has not shown the potential that many people expected from him. At the moment, has hit a plateau in his progress as a player with many deficiencies in defense and cannot be trusted as the substitute to Gayà.
Midfielders
Rubén Baraja usually plays with two midfielders in a 4-4-2 with both of them being able to win their aerial duels and to have an overall big presence covering a lot of distance. Valencia have not had any departures in this position but rather one signing with 23-year-old Enzo Barrenechea on loan. This is an excellent signing as he is able to have a presence in midfield and adds depth and quality to what was a short squad last season. He can be of aid to Baraja with some technical attributes superior to those of Valencia’s current players.
Alongside Barrenechea, Valencia have kept 24-year-old Hugo Guillamón who is a player who hasn’t quite ticked with any manager and has been in rotation last season with 21-year-old sensation Javi Guerra who was close to leaving this season. Also, there is 26-year-old Pepelu who was essential last season and is untouchable for the manager, playing almost every game in the league. As well, 24-year-old André Almeida is also available and can play in this position, however, he has characteristics that suit him better in another position.
Forwards
Baraja likes both of his wingers to be very direct with the ability to take on defenders and create opportunities. In addition, he has two center forwards with one more as a target man with the ability to win aerial duels and be a hard-worker. The other center forward should help to progress the ball forward and act as an attacking midfielder.
Right-Wingers
Valencia saw Peter Federico leave after his loan spell ended, and have also sent 21-year-old Hugo González on loan to Cartagena. This operation is great as he didn’t have any minutes with the first team and just like Tárrega, an expedition outside of Valencia can help him improve and come back to play in the first team. Furthermore, they have terminated Samu Castillejo’s contract as the manager didn’t count with him for the season.
In return, they have signed 22-year-old Germán Valera on a free transfer who is a player that has come in with a low salary with the objective of participating if the wingers face injuries. Remaining at the club are 22-year-old Fran Pérez who has been injured since March but who is perfect for Baraja as he has the attributes the manager wants. Also, there is 22-year-old Diego López who can play there as well.
On the left, Valencia has made no sales, on the other hand, there has been one signing which is 30-year-old Luis Rioja for more than €1 million. This operation is excellent as he is perfect for Baraja with the characteristics necessary to succeed at Valencia.
Also, at the club there is 22-year-old Diego López who is excellent and played many matches last season, also he is a starter for the U-21 Spain side and won the gold medal at the Olympics. Alongside him, there is 27-year-old Sergi Canós who was plagued with injuries last season, however, when fit he does have a lot of quality and can put in very dangerous crosses and passes.
Center-Forwards
In the center-forward position, Valencia has seen several departures and incomings. First of all, 28-year-old Roman Yaremchuk left the club at the end of his loan along with 27-year-old Selim Amallah. Also, 23-year-old Alberto Marí has left the club on loan to Zaragoza which is an excellent operation as just like with Hugo González, it is a place where he can grow as a player and come back to be a regular in the first team.
Incoming, there is 27-year-old Rafa Mir who had limited game time last season and was a player that Baraja asked to sign. He has gone on loan with an option to buy for just €5 million which is a great operation as if he can recover his form he can be an important player for the squad.
In addition, 26-year-old Dani Gómez has come in on loan from Levante with an option to buy for €1.5 million. He is a player who is a replacement for Alberto Marí and not someone expected to be a starter, nonetheless, the time that he has been in the first division he has underperformed.
Alongside them, 24-year-old Hugo Duro has remained at the club which is a great sign as he had an excellent season last season, scoring 13 goals in the league and was essential for Valencia to fight for a European spot. Also, 24-year-old André Almeida who was injured for most of last season but is a player with a lot of quality who has the characteristics to be an excellent player for the second striker position. In addition, 22-year-old Diego López is able to play as the second striker as he did last season for some games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Valencia has had some good operations, while others have been poor. I believe that Barrenechea and Luis Rioja are excellent signings along with Rafa Mir if he is able to recover his form. Nonetheless, there are other signings like Caufriez or Dani Gómez that don’t make much sense as they don’t offer anything the squad does not already have.
Also, the club could have gotten more money from the sale of Giorgi Mamardashvili, nonetheless, keeping him for another season is great. The objective of this team should be around the middle of the table with the opportunity perhaps to take the 7th placed-spot, however, it should not be the objective.
By: Juan Fernandez Valencia / @ScoutLaLiga
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / NurPhoto