Valencia CF supporters are hoping that the new year will bring the club better fortunes.
Currently stuck in seventh place and out of European competition altogether, manager Ronald Koeman will have a lot to prove to their fans and the chairman.
In making perhaps the biggest decision of his career, manager Ronald Koeman doesn't exactly have the greatest degree of support at Estadio Mestalla.
After declaring that he was losing control of the team, Koeman went to extreme measures to stamp his authority.
Three key players—Santiago Canizares, David Albelda, and Miguel Angel Angulo—were all told to look for different clubs, as they would no longer be featured in Koeman's plans. Claiming that the trio had become detrimental to the club, the Dutch manager has been looking for ways to off-load them as early as the January transfer window.
Santiago Canizares has publicly stated that he would consider retiring if Koeman stands by his decision to leave the talented veteran goalkeeper out for the rest of his campaign. Spanish giants Barcelona are rumored to be interested in the world-class player.
On the other hand, David Albelda has taken legal action against the club in order to terminate his contract at Valencia. Albelda announced his frustration with the current management at a recent press conference, stating that he deserved better than humiliation.
Having trouble reaching an amicable separation with the club, Albelda and his lawyers will need to find a way to overcome his 60 million-euro release clause.
Otherwise, the gifted defensive midfielder could find himself stuck in a non-playing role for the foreseeable future.
Real Madrid, Everton and Liverpool are all rumored to be interested in Albelda's services.
Miguel Angel Angulo has also encountered difficulty in finding his way out of the club. Like the other two veterans, Angulo vented his frustration with the Koeman Revolution, telling the press that Valencia's veterans were being treated with little to no respect. Having arrived from Villareal back in 1997, Angulo has served the club for over a decade.
Koeman's actions have naturally brought about great controversy and disarray to the storied club. Fans and media are continuing to speculate and question the motives behind the move. While it was a brave decision by Koeman, one has to wonder whether the club really has benefited by losing three talented individuals.
After all, these three players have been at the club for the majority of their careers. Angulo (282), Canizares (299) and Albelda (213) have each made over 200 appearances for the club during their time at Valencia. Known for their tremendous leadership skills during their time at the club, the loss of the veterans will be a test of the character within the Valencia dressing room.
That's not to mention the speculated departure of unsettled Portuguese midfielder Manuel Fernandes.
Having trouble adjusting to life in Spain, Fernandes has been linked with a possible move back to Everton or Portsmouth.
But after watching him bolt from Everton in the summer transfer window, Toffeeheads may be split on bringing back the Portuguese playmaker.
The rebuilding process could start with the imminent arrival of Boca Juniors Argentinine wonderkid Ever Banega. Keen to be joining Koeman's setup, Banega will be counted on to replace the absent Albelda and provide solid performance in the defensive midfield position.
Given the situation he's created, Koeman will need to turn things around in a hurry.
His job depends on it.
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