With Valdes signing for Man United in the January transfer window, after rehabbing his season and career ending injury (at least in terms of encouraging his move away!) at Barcelona, in a move similar to that of Craig Gordon making a comeback at Celtic, it is worth looking back at other teams that could or should have made a move for him, and why.
Given that Wenger finally gave Ospina his first Premier League start after a long wait without much playing time to adjust to the British game on loan or for the U21's, it seems the veteran French manager may finally take a gamble on his goalkeeping options. With dissent supposed to be brewing in the dressing room and a calmer head needed for their goalkeeper of choice, Valdes could capably bring more to the table than others. With Martinez getting bench time after a strong oan time at Sheffield Wednesday,it's safe to say they could cash in on their Polish star and reuse funds to invest in a new strikeforce perhaps. After all, the Gunners are another team that love to push forward, with a fair amount of fans screaming at the missed chance to bring in Lloris against their rivals, who are currently loving his sweeper keeping successes (with Vorm also brought in to fill that role in Europe and cup games).
A very outfield theory, but the newly promoted side are in dire need of goalkeepers with Schmeichel injured.
Personally, I think he would make a great starter at Southampton. Pochettini set up the groundworks for a high line needing a sweeper keeper, and Valdes can offer this in spades. Doing well and likely to want to try their hand at European competition, Valdes' veteran experiences in the Champions League would be so useful. That and he could provide suitable tutelage to Gazzaniga he has proven his own sweeper abilities and could have the mentorship of Victor to iron out the technique, sometimes getting caught on the backfoot by his communication skills with his defenders, instead of pushing up to clear.
For now, that's all I can really think of, as there aren't too many top tier teams looking for a goalkeeper, and Real Madrid might not want to take on a previous player of their arch rivals!
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
Given that Wenger finally gave Ospina his first Premier League start after a long wait without much playing time to adjust to the British game on loan or for the U21's, it seems the veteran French manager may finally take a gamble on his goalkeeping options. With dissent supposed to be brewing in the dressing room and a calmer head needed for their goalkeeper of choice, Valdes could capably bring more to the table than others. With Martinez getting bench time after a strong oan time at Sheffield Wednesday,it's safe to say they could cash in on their Polish star and reuse funds to invest in a new strikeforce perhaps. After all, the Gunners are another team that love to push forward, with a fair amount of fans screaming at the missed chance to bring in Lloris against their rivals, who are currently loving his sweeper keeping successes (with Vorm also brought in to fill that role in Europe and cup games).
- Leicester or Southampton
A very outfield theory, but the newly promoted side are in dire need of goalkeepers with Schmeichel injured.
Personally, I think he would make a great starter at Southampton. Pochettini set up the groundworks for a high line needing a sweeper keeper, and Valdes can offer this in spades. Doing well and likely to want to try their hand at European competition, Valdes' veteran experiences in the Champions League would be so useful. That and he could provide suitable tutelage to Gazzaniga he has proven his own sweeper abilities and could have the mentorship of Victor to iron out the technique, sometimes getting caught on the backfoot by his communication skills with his defenders, instead of pushing up to clear.
For now, that's all I can really think of, as there aren't too many top tier teams looking for a goalkeeper, and Real Madrid might not want to take on a previous player of their arch rivals!
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