Last season, Valencia looked to have turned a corner
Rewind to a year ago and they had just won at Real Sociedad, having thrashed Malaga 5-0 at the Mestalla the weekend before.
They remained undefeated until December, putting together a staggering run of 10 consecutive victories that included a nine-goal thriller against Real Betis and an emphatic 4-0 win over Sevilla that truly cemented Valencia’s status as the fourth best team in Spain.
They were back where they belong: fighting among the best Spanish sides for a Champions League place. There was even hopeful talk of a title challenge. After the difficult period between 2015-17, which saw the club tumble down the La Liga standings, Los Che were a team revitalised.
The summer of 2017 saw 18 players shipped out and six key players brought in. The club had streamlined the squad and brought in a coach who would whip the players into shape.
Dani Parejo and Rodrigo remained, providing some continuity among wholesale changes. The pair had been through it all, from Nuno, to Neville, to Ayestaran and Prandelli, with three spells under Valencia’s favourite caretaker Voro in between. Since Marcelino’s appointment, both have earned senior international call-ups. Rodrigo, in particular, has kept his place in the squad and progressed significantly on the pitch after being moved into a central position.
So what’s going wrong this season? Valencia are yet to win a match thus far, despite having – on paper – a solid summer.
After much speculation, the supremely talented Gonçalo Guedes was signed on a permanent deal after a hugely impressive loan spell last term. Andreas Pereira went back to Manchester United, but the well-rounded Daniel Wass joined from Celta Vigo and Denis Cheryshev returned after starring at the World Cup. Michy Batshuayi and Kevin Gameiro also signed, providing essential depth and quality up front in Marcelino’s preferred 4-4-2 system.
And yet, it is not clicking as it should. This weekend saw Valencia play out a stalemate in el derbi de la comunitat, against Villarreal. Credit where it’s due – Marcelino’s side held on for much of the second half without their midfield metronome and captain Parejo, who was sent off in the 58th minute, some would say unjustly. But that shouldn’t distract from the fact that they still haven’t won this season.
Marcelino has tinkered with his line-ups, giving highly-rated 18-year-old prospect Ferran Torres the chance to impress on the right-wing, and rotating between Cheryshev and Guedes on the left. The 21-year-old Mouctar Diakhaby has also made five appearances in defence and, while he has shown promise, three yellow cards in five matches doesn’t reflect well on his discipline.
This Valencia team can still go far, the talent is evident. But Marcelino must first figure out his best XI first. Who is Rodrigo’s best partner in attack? Does he want a box midfield of four natural centre-midfielders, or would he prefer to attack down the flanks? Which is his best defensive partnership? And how do you fit Guedes, Wass, Parejo, Kondogbia and Soler into a 4-4-2?
Once these questions are answered, the results should follow. Valencia welcome fourth-place Celta Vigo to the Mestalla this Wednesday, before travelling to Real Sociedad and then on to Old Trafford next week. This team has the potential to achieve great things, but the fixtures are now coming thick and fast.
As has become somewhat of a slogan at the Mestalla in recent weeks, #YoCreoEnEsteEquipo.
