Spanish Debate: Valencia - The End Of The Beginning

The curtain will come down on Valencia's season at the Mestalla on Sunday not so much amidst fanfare as sighs of relief. Los Che might, if they are lucky, scrape into the the top half of the table; their opponents, Atlético Madrid, will usurp their fourth place in the Champions League.

As such, few of the fans will be happy, and those in the dictors' box will no doubt also feel a bit wistful as they watch the rojiblancos talk excitedly of their journey into Europe's premier club competition next season.

For Valencia, the "back door" of the UEFA Cup has been left ajar thanks to their Copa del Rey victory - the only silver lining in what has been a dreadful campaign.

With no Champions League football, managerial upheaval, and the apparent desire of star forward David Villa to leave, it's not going to be a quiet summer at the Mestalla.

But does that mean it has to be a bad one?

Rebuilding

In fact, there is every reason for a bit of cautious optimism among the Che faithful, for if Valencia spend wisely, learn their lessons from last year and maintain a sense of realism, then they could be in with every chance of recovering next season.

But let's not mince words: there are massive problems to come. Los Che are said to be in poor financial shape, with the new stadium issue denting their bank balance considerably. As such, squad changes this summer may be of the mid-range variety, as opposed to top-tier.

What's more, there will be departures, and important ones at that. David Villa, for all his recent talk of willing to stay, will almost certainly leave. Some of the biggest clubs in Europe are in for him, and with no CL football to keep him in situ for next year, it's a case of who he'll join, not if he'll leave.

Furthermore, some of this year's flops may also head out. Nikola Zigic - who I have previously said is not fully to blame for his predicament - is apparently being watched by Segunda high-flyers Real Sociedad, while Manuel Fernandes could do both himself and his club a favour by going to Everton once again.

In short, there's much to do.

Exodus

But in a way, this exodus could be a good thing. Villa will only leave for top dollar - €30m has been a figure bandied about - and thus lessen the financial strain a bit.

What would help even more, though, is the departure of some others. It is my opinion that the old guard, however talented they may be, have by and large outstayed their welcome. This side peaked in 2004 and it is time to look forward, not back, when seeking to regain those heights.

Ronald Koeman, erstwhile manager, tried something of a minor resolution as he unceremoniously told Albelda, Cañizares and Angulo to do one, but he badly misjudged his situation. Telling three club symbols to go and sit in the stands is not becoming of any manager, and in any case the squad was not deep enough to cope with their absences. In short, he was wrong.

But now that summer is here and Valencia are in a period of rebuilding both on and off the pitch, the time is right for all concerned to look at their options. Any of the above three, with the possible exception of Albelda, might wish to move on for their own first team hopes as much as anything else, and there are others that could join them. Vicente is one. One of Spain's best players in his day, he needs a pressure-free environment and regular first-team football with which to recover his fitness and form: he will probably find neither at the Mestalla. Edu's situation is much the same.

Letting such players go would allow Valencia to break with the past and also seek replacements. Of course not all may want to leave, and finances could prove a stumbling block, but it's certainly an option worth looking at.

Replacements

But who should Valencia be looking at instead? The answer is simple: young and hungry players. But, like most simple answers, such a broad statement leaves room for ambiguity.

It must be a certain type of youngster. It should be a player who is not a prima-donna, but lusts for the limelight. That is to say, the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the Mestalla cannot faze them, but they must be willing to knuckle down and prove themself.

In this sense, Valencia's disastrous summer transfer window actually provided a few trump cards. Fernandes might not have worked out, but Sunny, in one or two years, will be good enough for a full season's play; Alexis might be, but the jury is out. Above all, though, is Mata, who is fast becoming a real success story, and one whose decision to head to the coast in search of first team football has proved fruitful. That's the kind of determination Valencia need. In winter, they augmented their squad with the excellent Ever Banega (notwithstanding rumours of his departure) and Hedwiges Maduro.

This, rather than chasing old glories, is what Valencia must aim for. There will be no shortage of targets in summer, but Los Che also have the benefit of maybe being able to find a couple ready-made. There are massive numbers of Valencians out on loan across the Liga and below at present, and while most are not good enough for the first team, some are: Pablo Hernández at Getafe could hold down a starting berth, and David Navarro of Mallorca is, in my opinion, a squad player of considerable talent. Above all, both will have a point to prove.

Such a squad could also fit in with the man who has been linked with the managerial vacancy. Unai Emery, himself a spring chicken at the age of 37, has built a team of remarkable spirit and energy at Almería, and while he's happy to leave the business of signing and selling players to those above him, they'd do well to listen to his views on squad harmony before doing so.

With Juan Soler out of the presidential box, the hope is that Agustín Morera recognises that Valencia are in no fit state to splash out on big names or experienced pros when they already have both in spades. One or two would be OK, but to base a summer around assembling some kind of second-rate galactico enterprise would be a huge mistake.

As for the loss of Villa and some of the others, yes, some - Villa in particular - would be massive absences. But Atlético have proved that there is life after Fernando Torres, and he was arguably more integral to his side's play than Villa has been to Valencia this season. Pining back to further past glories, then, is not only ill-advised but also quite possibly pointless.

Instead, it's time for Valencia to look to the youth. They will never have a better time to rebuild: expectations are comparatively low, and although they're strapped for cash, they will make some from Villa. Now, they just need to act wisely. Easier said than done at the Mestalla...

Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com

What do you think? Is it time for a Valencia clear-out? Who could they bring in instead? What's a realsitic target for next season? Let us know your thoughts.