Valencia must not let Emery go

For a club ridden with debt, Valencia had no choice but to let David Villa go in the summer even if it meant making an already strong rival "stronger". When one learnt that even their very own David Silva and Carlos Marchena were sold to Manchester City and Villarreal respectively, even the most ardent Che fan wouldn't have given the team a chance to put up a fight for the Primera Division. Even the Champions League qualification spots looked bleak with SuperAtletí looking lethal in pre-season, a strong Sevilla looking to build on their previous season's Copa del Rey triumph, a Villarreal side keen on setting the record straight after finishing 7th, and there were always those over-performing clubs like Athletic Bilbao and Mallorca.

Playing with a 4-3-3 Valencia defied everyone's expectations: they were among the top 2 in the initial 6 weeks of he season. Though normal service (read: Real Madrid-Barca hegemony) resumed thereafter, Valencia were always in the running for a European place. They have surged ahead of Espanyol, Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal to stay in third place, the highlight of the season being the annihilation of the Yellow Submarine at the Mestalla. They did well in the Champions League only to be undone by the genius of Raul in the last 16.These results look more impressive when you consider that they went in for a complete squad overhaul: having lost three of their prime assets and shoeing in 5 new imports directly into the starting line up.

The new imports gelled in very quickly: Ricardo Costa sustained his form from Lille, and has formed a resolute pairing at the back with Marius Stankevičius, on loan from Sampdoria. Mehmet Topal, from Galatasaray, forms an important pivot in midfield which has allowed the likes of Joaquin, Ever Banega and Jordi Alba to flourish. Tino Costa from Montepellier has been a revelation as well. Roberto Soldado (from Getafe) and Aritz Aduriz (from Mallorca) have just what they know best and have constantly been finding the back of the net: netting an impressive combined tally of 28 goals.

And the 'old' guard seemed to have gotten better. Juan Mata, the ex-Real Madrid cantero, has been the fulcrum around which Emery has built the team. With a return of 8 goals and 11 assists (3rd best in La Liga) he has definitely not disappointed. Ever Banega looks a shadow of his former self and has been a revelation this season with his 8 assists. Joaquin has shown flashes of his Betis days, when he was hailed as the best thing in La Furia Roja's future.

And the credit of this must go only to one man: Unai Emery. Unai Emery foresaw that challenge and knew he had to invest to replace David Villa. Even if it meant selling Silva and Marchena. The three players combined got the club about € 75 million. The new imports cost about € 25 million. And the new imports have eased into the squad and have kept the club on course to achieve their initial objectives. He has also allowed players from the cantera, the likes of Pablo Hernandez, Jordi Alba and Vicente Guaita, to thrive. With the right blend of youth and experience, he has ensured the club meets its pre-season expectations.

His contract runs out at the end of this year, and it would be a pity to see him go. Though there were reverses against Villarreal in the Copa del Rey and Real Madrid in the league, but these are minor aberrations in the big picture. Club president Manuel Llorente must give him a season more at the very least, and in all probability Valencia will return to the good old days being the third-horse in the Primera Division.