Valencia will lose star players - Canizares
Chris O'Keefe
Former Valencia goalkeeper, Santi Canizares, says that his former club will have no option but to sell their best players due to their current financial turmoil.
Canizares, now a analyst on Spanish television since retiring from the game last season, told Sky Sports' Revista programme: "Right now - financially speaking - Valencia is a small club.
"The blame doesn't lie with those who currently run the club, and the people do not deserve this, but those players should be at big clubs - like Valencia once was."
Those players likely to be sold to raise valuable funds will include Spanish internationals David Villa who is forecast by a number of Spanish football writers to be moving to either Barcelona or Real Madrid despite interest from Manchester City and Chelsea.
The Liverpool Echo last week ran a back page lead suggesting Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez contemplating a bid for midfielder David Silva in the summer. Amongst also considered likely departures in the summer are former Real Betis winger Joaquin and rising star Juan Mata.
The extent of the current situation reflects in the fact that Valencia have a half built stadium in addition to the Mestalla, currently home, which it is said the club are struggling to sell in the wake of the collapse in the Spanish property market. Los Che also have two training grounds, which again is a result of failing to sell their old complex. The level of debt on the clubs' books is said to be around
Much of the blame for the problems at Valencia are levelled at the feet of Juan Bautista Soler, the former chairmen, who resigned in March, last year. His running of the club, including numerous changes of manager during his tenure at the club were seen as irresponsible. Soler spent around 30million euros on severance packages for Ronald Koeman, Quique Sanchez Flores and Claudio Ranieri. In addition, more than 50million euros were spent on supposed wonderkid Ever Banega (who has made more headlines for off-the-pitch behaviour), Manuel Fernandes and Nicola Zigic. Subsequently, the club's debt has more than tripled to over 400 million euros and, of course, the bloated portfolio of training grounds and stadia.
Sid Lowe, a Spanish-based football writer for the Guardian and World Soccer called Soler, "the Brian Potter of Spanish football." Indeed, Lowe is probably pinpoint in his assessment of Soler's ability to run a major footballing institution in Spanish and European terms. Valencia's players have not been paid for around two months. Furthermore, Los Che's summer transfer activity will politely be described as a fire sale.
Even with an "Everything Must Go" sale to make the UK High Street proud, it may not be enough to save a club that, only a few years ago, were a real force and a challenge to the grandeur of Barcelona and Real Madrid. This may make Leeds United's fall from grace look minuet by comparison. Hopefully not!
posted by C O'K @ 1:08 pm
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