From Man Utd playmaker to Everton’s new Arteta: how Valencia could line up with sold stars

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Valencia have habitually flirted with La Liga title success over the years but the sale of key players has continually stunted their hopes.

The Mestalla Stadium hasn’t borne witness to silverware for over a decade now, while their last La Liga trophy came back in 2004 under the auspices of Rafa Benitez.

Los Che subsequently sold three of their chief players during that phenomenal title-winning season to Liverpool upon Benitez’s arrival on Merseyside: Fabio Aurelio, Mohamed Sissoko and Mauricio Pellegrino.

While this may have heralded the start of a new era along the banks of the Turia River, it also marked the start of a selling culture in the province, and as such, the club remains in a state of flux, unable to thwart Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atleti’s stranglehold over La Liga.

But had they kept hold of their prized assets, their starting XI would certainly be capable of challenging for the title. Here, we have a look at what could have been.

Goalkeeper: Mathew Ryan

Games for Valencia: 23

Reported fee: £5.2m

Current club: Brighton & Hove Albion

Signed by newly-promoted Brighton in 2017, Ryan has acquitted himself expertly on English soil, playing every Premier League match last season and proving a safe pair of hands between the sticks. The Australian may be relatively short for a goalkeeper, but what he lacks in height he more than makes up for in dexterity.

Right-back: Joao Cancelo

Games for Valencia: 91

Reported fee: £36.5m

Current club: Juventus

It seems almost criminal how Cancelo was allowed to leave on-loan to Inter Milan last season, but the Nerazzurri just seem to find a way of luring world-class right-backs on a temporary basis to the San Siro: Sime Vrsaljko anyone? Now at Juventus, Cancelo is thriving and takes the mantle as one of the continent’s finest full-backs.

Centre-back: Shkodran Mustafi 

Games for Valencia: 81

Reported fee: £35m

Current club: Arsenal

A polarising figure in north London but one who is now starting to strut his defensive ability and really flourish under Unai Emery. The German has been rock solid this season, as well as being instrumental in Arsenal’s current 21-match unbeaten run.

Centre-back: Nicolas Otamendi

Games for Valencia: 38

Reported fee: £28.5m

Current club: Manchester City

Valencia have a penchant for a South American centre-back, with Garay and Gabriel the current pairing, but what Los Che would do to have the sheer tenacity and bullish Argentinian valour of Otamendi back in their side. He was only at the club for a season, but Valencia conceded the least number of goals (32) since that aforementioned title-winning campaign.

Left-back: Jordi Alba

Games for Valencia: 110

Reported fee: £12.6m

Current club: Barcelona

Arguably the best left-back in the world, Alba was sold for a pittance by today’s standards, and continues to be a model of consistency for the Blaugrana, so far clinching 13 major titles during his time in Catalonia.

Centre midfield: Ever Banega

Games for Valencia: 15

Reported fee: £2m

Current club: Sevilla

An extremely gifted and versatile midfielder, Benega could only muster a handful of appearances for Valencia, but took his game to new heights under Emery at Sevilla; now back at Los Hispalenses after a spell with Inter Milan, Benega has been one of the fulcrums of the club’s brilliance this season.

Centre midfield: Andre Gomes

Games for Valencia: 78

Reported fee: £35m

Current club: Everton (on-loan from Barcelona)

Gomes failed to replicate his Valencia form at the Camp Nou last term, but has been sensational since relocating to Goodison Park, receiving widespread adulation from the English press, while playing a focal role in Marco Silva’s central midfield.

Right midfield: Juan Mata

Games for Valencia: 174

Reported fee: £23.5m

Current club: Manchester United

A breathtaking playmaker and one who could unlock any defence in the blink of an eye. Mata has mesmerised the Premier League since joining Chelsea in 2011, and while he certainly looks a shadow of his former glory these days, when he is in full motion, there are few more joyous to watch.

No. 10: David Silva 

Games for Valencia: 161

Reported fee: £24m

Current club: Manchester City

Debatably the best player in the Premier League at present, and certainly one of the greatest of all time. It is almost a depressing thought to consider Silva is entering his twilight years, as watching him in motion is pure poetry and a sheer privilege.

Left midfield: Isco

Games for Valencia: 7

Reported fee: £5.4m

Current club: Real Madrid

Possibly one of the greatest mistakes in the club’s history was agreeing to include a measly £5.4m buyout clause in Isco’s contract. Just imagine that attacking-midfield trident of Mata, Silva and Isco – oh how they would dictate play every match.

Striker: Paco Alcacer

Games for Valencia: 124

Reported fee: £27m

Current club: Borussia Dortmund

Another – like Gomes – who failed to impress in Catalonia; Alcacer has since joined German giants Borussia Dortmund and has been scoring for fun, proving extremely prolific as one of the continent’s most clinical goalscorers.

The post How Valencia could line up using their star-studded sold list appeared first on Squawka News.



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