Valencia ring the changes

By Andy Hall

Summer trading in Spain's Primera División has been rife since the transfer window opened on 1 July but of the 20 top-flight sides, none have been as prolific in their team rebuilding as Valencia CF.

Disappointing year
The 2004/5 season was a disappointment for the Ché, who were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League at the group stage and then failed in their subsequent bid to retain the UEFA Cup. On the domestic front, Valencia finished seventh - quite a fall from grace for the side that had won the league under the Liverpool FC-bound Rafael Benítez the previous year.

Vicente missed
Some argued that the constantly changing cast of players were not given a chance to settle. Injuries to key players Pablo Aimar, Rubén Baraja and, most notably, Vicente Rodríguez, who missed the majority of the campaign with a mysterious ankle complaint, did not help either.

Mass exodus
As with FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC last summer, the club have wasted no time in shedding surplus staff and replacing them. Following the arrival of new coach Quique Sánchez Flores last month, they have shown the door to Salva Ballesta, Andrés Palop, Mohamed Sissoko, Pablo Redondo and Xisco Muñoz, and are seeking a club for Gonzalo de los Santos. Stefano Fiore has been loaned to ACF Fiorentina.

Lightning trading
The arrivals include teenage defender José Enrique, Brazilian midfielder Edu and goalkeeper Juan Luis Mora. Meanwhile, Uruguay winger Fabián Estoyanoff was signed but sent to gain experience at Cádiz CF, while youth-teamers David Silva and Jaime Gavilán will do likewise at Getafe CF. Raúl Albiol, who played at Getafe last term but is now back at the Mestalla, could step up.

Attacking signings
Perhaps the most important recruits, however, have been attacking players. Patrick Kluivert joined on a free transfer from Newcastle United FC promising "to be a very good boy" and keep his distance from the city's nightspots. Midfielder Mario Regueiro, landed from Real Racing Santander, should also guarantee goals.

Villa arrives
While the capture of striker David Villa could prove to be one of the shrewdest signings of the summer. The 23-year-old scored 15 league goals for Real Zaragoza last season and has been tipped for international honours.

Healthy competition
"There is a lot of quality in the squad, just as I expected before joining," Villa said. "You can tell from the training sessions that there is going to be a lot of competition for places and that is healthy. We players must work hard to be 100 per cent and give the coach a harder job of deciding who will play."

Intertoto bow
On Sunday, Valencia begin their campaign in Belgium against KAA Gent in the UEFA Intertoto Cup third round. The recent friendly defeat by FC Girondins de Bordeaux was a minor blip but captain David Albelda says the team are raring to go.

'Dangerous tournament'
"Whenever you play, you want to win," he said. "If we fail to reach our objectives in the Intertoto then people will be angry. This can be a very dangerous tournament if you are not careful and don't put up a fight and for that reason we will be giving it our best shot."