Los Che Rising

You can’t help but feel that there is a cool breeze and some soothing classical music flowing through the Mestalla going into the new La Liga season. With a terrific 2010/11 campaign, a productive summer, and with another season of lucrative Champions League football to look forward to, it would be hard for there not to be. Despite the menacing cloud of debt that still hangs over the club, Valencia are undoubted on the up.

Last season Unai Emery and company emerged with flying colors when so much could have gone wrong. The expected drop-off with the loss of the two Davids and Carlos Marchena never made an appearance. In fact, you could hardly tell that the loss of these extremely influential players had happened. Valencia did not slip below fifth for the entire season, and finished in third place for a second year running. Coincidentally, the club’s point total and game record matched that of the previous campaign. Compared to the team from the 2009/10 campaign, the last season’s Valencia side scored five less goals, but also conceded four less. It was a extraordinary achievement.

The most important component of this success was the emergence of Juan Mata as Valencia’s new talisman. He led from the front with his poise and creativity on the ball. .

Of course, there were substantial contributions from his supporting cast. From the old guard, Joaquin, Banega, and Mathieu repeatedly put in excellent performances, while the new faces in the squad; Soldado, Aduriz, Topal, and Costa, flourished throughout the season. Of course, the importance of Unai Emery as the head of the bat can not be understated. Regardless of his managerial shortcomings, his tactical nous and ability to get the most of the players at his disposal was brilliant.

Now the new task is consolidate and push on from this position. Valencia are the de facto main challenger to the duopoly that dominates Spanish football. Sadly, overthrowing the establishment is perhaps a little too much to hope for. However, despite this divide, Valencia are primed to get closer to Barça and Real Madrid than last season. Advances in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League are also a goal given the disappointing exits in both competitions last year.

Like last summer, the club has done great business in the transfer market. Alves, Piatti, Parejo, Rami and Canales (on loan from Real Madrid) have all arrived , and will deepen the talent pool considerably. The rise of the canterano Juan Bernat in pre-season was a lovely surprise. He may have a part to play in Emery’s plans. The one position that still remains to be fulfilled is that of an extra center back. Contrastingly to the new arrivals, The group of outgoing players doesn’t look as good. In addition to figures like Fernandes and Vicente, the talent-laden duo of Joaquin and Isco have let for other shores. Most worryingly, it looks like Mata is about to join them in the departure lounge. It is being reported that a deal with Chelsea had been agreed for his services.

Whatever happens in the two weeks left in the mercado, expectations at the Mestalla will be high when the new season of La Liga eventually kicks off. Emery has decided to stick with a 4-2-3-1 after flirting with the idea of using a 4-3-3. With the dangerous army of batmen at his disposal, the Basque coach will try to use the wave of a largely good pre-season to kick-off the campaign on a high note.

Will a revamped Valencia squad be able to live up to their demands of their fickle fans?

Stars that La Liga desperately need to stay

Yes, ultimately we know that either Barcelona or Real Madrid will win the 2011-2012 la liga title. At the end of the day however, there is still 18 other teams that are either fighting for a place in Europe or desperately trying to avoid getting relegated. In this post I'd like to look at some of the stars that do not belong to the top 2 that may be on their way out this summer. I'm am also trying to be hopeful that they would stay otherwise the league would lose interest.

Athletic Bilbao:

Iker Munain: The 18 year old winger has been an undisputed starter this season on the left wing under Joaquin Caparros. He has entertained viewers week in week out and is one of the rising stars of la liga

Javi Martinez: The 22 year old is a world cup winner and there is reportedly lots of interest in him from other teams. He has had a decent campaign so far and could be on the way out.

Fernando Llorente: The big number 9 is a wanted man over Europe especially in the Premier league. His dangerous ability to win headers and to fight at the end of crosses has got him 17 goals this season. Like all journalists, Tottenham Hotspur couldn't believe themselves when they had an astonishing £26 million bid turned down by Bilbo. However will they come back for the Basque striker in the summer? He doesn't mind staying at Bilbao but will champions league football or an increased wage lure him away from Spain? I must confess my opinion that it would be very hard for Athletic to hold on to their man.

Atletico Madrid:

Sergio Aguero: Kun has continued to carry Atletico this season with Forlan's departure looking very likely. Lots of teams are in for him because he's matured now and is a very good finisher. He looks very likely to stay after saying that he'd like to honor his current deal which lasts until 2014.

Diego Forlan: Back in July the idea struck me that la liga would feature the world cup's best player. This however has turned around completely on me. Forlan has mainly featured off the bench at this end of the season and judging by the behavior its clear to see that there has been some sort of falling out at Atletico. It is almost certain that he is headed for the exit door in the summer but I'd still be hopeful of him staying in Spain at least. La liga would loose a very good footballer if he goes.

David De Gea: Atletico's very young and promising keeper has got himself on the radar of many top clubs this season. Clubs such as Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United who have goalkeeper problems have all confessed that he has the talent. The English media have begun to say that a deal with Manchester United will be completed within the next two weeks. It's certain that he has talent and plenty potential for the future, but is he good enough to become Manchester United's No.1? Honestly I think that he isn't ready for that big of a move as yet. He needs at least another year to gain some experience to be playing for such a big club.

Espanyol:

Jose Callejon: A former Real Madrid youth product, Callejon has lit up the Cornella -El Prat at times this season. By now Madrid maybe wondering how he was able to get away from their sights. The winger is very important if they are to improve next season, bearing in mind the fantastic start they had to this campaign.

Pablo Osvaldo: Osvaldo has been very impressive this season. A key player for them which almost booked a place in Europe next season. He has been so impressive, he's earned a special scouting visit from Harry Redknapp who traveled to watch the Buenos Aries born forward. Whether it's a done deal or not only time will tell, doing a bit of research, some websites are reporting that Osvaldo signed for 15.6 million to Tottenham Hotspur. It's most likely false but with Espanyol failing to secure a place in Europe, will Tottenham lure him away having already secured a place in the Europa League?

Sevilla:

Alvaro Negredo: Another one of the Madrid youth system, Negredo has bagged 18 goals for Sevilla this season. He has attracted alot of interest from the Premier League with most clubs looking for that extra foward. Unfortunate to be over-looked for Spain's successful world cup squad, may be the likes of Roman Abramovich are having serious conversations on whether to invest in him. However with Luis Fabiano gone back to Brazil, Sevilla will try very hard to keep their man for next season with the Europa League to look foward to.

Diego Capel: One from Sevilla's very own youth system, Capel has been impressive this season and he will have many managers pondering on whether to have the exciting winger in their side.

Diego Perotti: The young Argentine winger has attracted a lot of interest this season. Again its Harry Redknapp involved as he has showed his interest in the player. Spurs look to be invading Spain this summer as they fight for Champions League next year. Perotti is young and is an exciting prospect for the league in the future years if he stays.

Jesus Navas: The little right winger has been excellent for Sevilla this season. His quick dribling and ability to run at defenders is what a lot of teams are looking for, especially in the Premier League. Many of England's top clubs are desperately looking for extra width in their sides and they may turn towards the world cup winner for an answer.

Valencia:
Vincente Guaita: During the season established himself in the starting 11 but later replaced by Cesar. The 24 year old keeper has a bright future and with the arrival of Diego Alves from relegated Almeria, he may force a move to secure regular football. Lets hope that he stays in Spain rather than a move to another country.

Ever Banega: A long target of Liverpool, Benega was crucial to Valencia's 3rd place finish this year. With Liverpool given funds to spend in the summer and Arsenal needing to bring in new players after another trophy-less year, The Premier League might be his likely destination. Be assured though, that Valencia will do all they can to keep their current squad and build on it for next year.

Juan Mata: Valencia may be forced into selling their star as a payment of 20-30 million is believed to be needed for the servicing of the Mestalla. According to some football websites, this money can be acquired from the sale of Mata. Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool are believed to be interested in the world cup winner. Financial problems may yet again see Valencia lose a top player.

Villarreal:

Borja Valero: The surprising season that Borja has had was unpredictable considering that he was initially loaned out from West Bromich Albion. He has proved to be a key signing for the submarines and his deal has been made permanent to a 5 year contract. He looks almost certain to be a Villarreal player next year having only joined this season.

Giuseppe Rossi: By far the best spell in a Villarreal shirt for Rossi. Over 30 goals scored in all competitions this year, he is one of the hottest strikers around and is a wanted man all over Europe, especially in Italy where Milan, Inter and recently Roma are fighting for the signature of the future of the national team. He has not only performed admirably for his club, having reached the semis of the Europa League, but has also been a key player for Italy post world cup. A late equalizer against Germany and a goal vs Ukraine is what Cesare Prandelli was hoping for given the job of developing the new face of the Azzuri. At 24 he still has lots of years in him and could be a major star for whoever he plays.

As reported by Forza Futbol, there is set to be departures of Spanish players to other leagues where they can earn much more money. It is therefore important that the various clubs try their best to hold on to there stars otherwise television audience will suffer and so will the league. The situation with the television deals for the big 2 have to be resolved quickly and the weaker teams must ensure that they are financially stable so that they can challenge for titles. It is very important that these players stay to keep the league attractive for viewers world wide to watch.

The Ones That Got Away: Real Madrid Cantera

The transfer policy of Real Madrid is supposed to be a balance of Super Star imports, the best Spanish players that money can buy and the cantera. Well of late, the first two criteria have been very true, but the cantera or youth academy/development has been pretty poor. Well, poor for Real Madrid, that is. Most youth players have had very little chance of breaking the starting eleven as the team demanded instant results. The club required proven players and the jump for Segunda B to Primera was deemed to steep.

The most recent opportunity emerged when Castilla was promoted from Segunda B (the third division) and played in Segunda A (the second division in Spain). This opportunity to rejuvenate and repurpose the cantera, really came to nothing. Several players left Castilla after promotion because they saw the writing on the wall and wanted first team football. Only Miguel Torres (now at Getafe) broke through to the Real Madrid first team. Add to that, Real Madrid really didn't have the players in Real Madrid C to replenish Castilla, so they were relegated two years later, back to Segunda B. All in all, a very short term, short sighted approach to youth development and promotion.

That said, many Castilla and Real Madrid C players have moved on to play in other teams in La Liga and have flourished. One might say that the purpose of Real Madrid's cantera is to prepare players to play in the rest of the Spanish league. But is this really something Real Madrid should be proud of? Or is it merely a waste of resources and lack of vision?

Here is a list of some of the active ex Real Madrid canteranos, now plying their trade elsewhere:

Samuel Eto'o (Inter), Juan Mata (Valencia), Borja Valero (Villarreal), Luis Garcia (Espanyol), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Roberto Soldado (Valencia) , Dani Parejo (Getafe), Jose Callejón (Espanyol), Juanfran (Atlético Madrid), Javi Garcia (Benfica) to name a few.

What do these players have in common? Attacking players who were given very little chance to reach their potential and play for the club of their youth and dreams. Unfortunately, they were not deemed important enough by the President, directors and coaches, who were more worried about their positions and instant success.

With the departure of Guti and Raúl (who originally came from Atlético), Iker Casillas is the only home grown canterano playing in the first team. Iker was scouted, formed, developed, promoted to, and succeeded in the first team. I guess you should also include Alvaro Arbeloa and Esteban Granero. But they were initially sold by the club, and later bought back, once they proved their worth at Liverpool and Getafe, respectively.

Is this really a successful youth policy? Is this the price of success?

VIDEO: Boys from Valencia & their favorite leisure spots

The boys from Valencia are pimping their city in style. Follow Mata, Maduro, Joaquin, Soldado and Mathieu as they take us to their favorite spots in Valencia! I gotta go there asap!