A few important things happened in the world of football in January 2009. Kaka refused to join Manchester City, Man Utd didn't concede any league goals...despite John O'Shea regularly appearing in defense, and David Beckham made a big splash in Milan, providing further evidence that Serie A is most definitely in decline.
However, one thing you will not hear about is the return of "Spain's Zidane" after roughly 3 years of injury. That's right - Spain have a Zidane...or at least had one up until January 2006, which is when Juan Carlos Valeron made his last start for Not-so-super-anymoreDepor. But a couple of weekends ago the man they call El Flaco -- the Skinny One -- made a triumphant return to league action against Real Madrid. He was on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline, but victory was his nonetheless as he completed 90 minutes of football without keeling over. I watched the game for no other reason than to see him play, and as bad a game as it was (Gago was probably the best player on the pitch, which kind of tells its own story) it's a game I will have fond memories of for years to come.
There are couple of players I have serious man-crushes on. Riquelme is one of them, and Valeron is the other. If I were to pick a favourite though, it would have to be the magician from Spain. He plays the game of football almost exactly the way I like to see it played. Sure he doesn't run around a lot, he doesn't get 'stuck in', he can drift in and out of games, and in these high tempo days he is almost a luxury one can't afford. Almost. Because even though Valeron doesn't offer you some of the attributes almost deemed essential today, his is still the best passer of a football you are likely to see in your lifetime. Better than Fabregas, better than Zidane, better than Riquelme, better than Pirlo.
Though he was understandably a little off the pace against Madrid -- although when has he not been off the pace? -- El Flaco still conjured up some magic moments, with a flick here and a feint there. Partnered with a better striker in front of him he most surely would have had an assist or two to his name, such was his threat with the ball at his feet and space to exploit. The weight he puts on each pass is judged to perfection, from a simple ball out to the wing to a incisive through pass which leaves even the best of defenses for dead. Initiate a 1-2 with Valeron and you can almost guarantee that the '2' will come off to perfection, without you even having to break stride. His passing technique is something you just can't teach anyone, and after watching him for 90 minutes a couple of Sunday's ago, it is apparently something you can't lose either, even after 3 years of knee-related turmoil.
I first saw him perform when Deportivo came to Highbury back in 01/02. This was a special Depor team, nicknamed SuperDepor both because of their success and the manner in which they acheived it. They were playing against a much fancied Arsenal side, but the Spaniards completely outshone the Gunners, even gaining a standing ovation from the Highbury faithful as they exited stage left. As I watched the game, I couldn't help but marvel at the guy controlling everything at his own pace, playing passes that didn't seem physically possible to execute, and generally just giving Viera an co the run-around...without really running around. I remember my brother coming into the sitting room about 30 minutes into the game and me telling him to "watch this guy...this Valeron chap" (I might not have used the word "chap",but you get my point). This all may sound like sentimental garbage, but it's the absolute truth. Perhaps it's both. I was just immediately enamored with his style of play, willing his teammates to pass him the ball at any semi-available opportunity, just to see what he could do next.
SuperDepor claimed other notable scalps during their heyday, with Valeron being the key to their quite brilliant football. In a recent interview he himself mentions one of their most outstanding achievements, coming from 4-1 down to beat Milan 5-4 on aggregate and gaining a place in the Champions League semi-final (where they lost to eventual winners Porto). But the victory over Milan still has its place in football folklore. It was a masterclass in possession football, with even Luque chipping in with a good performance. They got the required goals with 15 minutes to spare, but what was equally impressive was their keeping the scoreline at 4-0, barely allowing Milan to get a sniff of the ball. It was a truly remarkable game of football, and served as a microcosm for what SuperDepor were all about; what Juan Carlos Valeron is all about.
I look around the world of football today, and I see few artists of his calibre. The attributes which he possesses -- vision, control, incisive passing -- seem to have been marginalised to some extent. The emphasis now is on speed, power, and being some sort of jack-of-all-trades who could conceivably play at centre-half or upfront if given the right coaching. You can have the touch of a rapist, but as long as you have the pace of a gazelle then you'll do.
Valeron will never go down as one of the greats, despite Roy Mackaay saying he's the best player he has ever played with. He never won a big trophy, and he never quite made it at international level, with coaches unwilling to trust his talent. Deportivo did however, and they flourished as a result. His injury coincided with them plummeting down the league, but now that he's back they are a top half team once more, with a rebirth in the Champions League only 3 points away. At 33 Valeron surely doesn't have much left in the tank, but given his style of play there is at least another season or two in him. No doubt that his retirement will make as much of a splash in the media as his comeback from injury, but personally speaking I can't think of a player I'll be sadder to see leave the game the Valeron.
However, one thing you will not hear about is the return of "Spain's Zidane" after roughly 3 years of injury. That's right - Spain have a Zidane...or at least had one up until January 2006, which is when Juan Carlos Valeron made his last start for Not-so-super-anymoreDepor. But a couple of weekends ago the man they call El Flaco -- the Skinny One -- made a triumphant return to league action against Real Madrid. He was on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline, but victory was his nonetheless as he completed 90 minutes of football without keeling over. I watched the game for no other reason than to see him play, and as bad a game as it was (Gago was probably the best player on the pitch, which kind of tells its own story) it's a game I will have fond memories of for years to come.
There are couple of players I have serious man-crushes on. Riquelme is one of them, and Valeron is the other. If I were to pick a favourite though, it would have to be the magician from Spain. He plays the game of football almost exactly the way I like to see it played. Sure he doesn't run around a lot, he doesn't get 'stuck in', he can drift in and out of games, and in these high tempo days he is almost a luxury one can't afford. Almost. Because even though Valeron doesn't offer you some of the attributes almost deemed essential today, his is still the best passer of a football you are likely to see in your lifetime. Better than Fabregas, better than Zidane, better than Riquelme, better than Pirlo.
Though he was understandably a little off the pace against Madrid -- although when has he not been off the pace? -- El Flaco still conjured up some magic moments, with a flick here and a feint there. Partnered with a better striker in front of him he most surely would have had an assist or two to his name, such was his threat with the ball at his feet and space to exploit. The weight he puts on each pass is judged to perfection, from a simple ball out to the wing to a incisive through pass which leaves even the best of defenses for dead. Initiate a 1-2 with Valeron and you can almost guarantee that the '2' will come off to perfection, without you even having to break stride. His passing technique is something you just can't teach anyone, and after watching him for 90 minutes a couple of Sunday's ago, it is apparently something you can't lose either, even after 3 years of knee-related turmoil.
I first saw him perform when Deportivo came to Highbury back in 01/02. This was a special Depor team, nicknamed SuperDepor both because of their success and the manner in which they acheived it. They were playing against a much fancied Arsenal side, but the Spaniards completely outshone the Gunners, even gaining a standing ovation from the Highbury faithful as they exited stage left. As I watched the game, I couldn't help but marvel at the guy controlling everything at his own pace, playing passes that didn't seem physically possible to execute, and generally just giving Viera an co the run-around...without really running around. I remember my brother coming into the sitting room about 30 minutes into the game and me telling him to "watch this guy...this Valeron chap" (I might not have used the word "chap",but you get my point). This all may sound like sentimental garbage, but it's the absolute truth. Perhaps it's both. I was just immediately enamored with his style of play, willing his teammates to pass him the ball at any semi-available opportunity, just to see what he could do next.
SuperDepor claimed other notable scalps during their heyday, with Valeron being the key to their quite brilliant football. In a recent interview he himself mentions one of their most outstanding achievements, coming from 4-1 down to beat Milan 5-4 on aggregate and gaining a place in the Champions League semi-final (where they lost to eventual winners Porto). But the victory over Milan still has its place in football folklore. It was a masterclass in possession football, with even Luque chipping in with a good performance. They got the required goals with 15 minutes to spare, but what was equally impressive was their keeping the scoreline at 4-0, barely allowing Milan to get a sniff of the ball. It was a truly remarkable game of football, and served as a microcosm for what SuperDepor were all about; what Juan Carlos Valeron is all about.
I look around the world of football today, and I see few artists of his calibre. The attributes which he possesses -- vision, control, incisive passing -- seem to have been marginalised to some extent. The emphasis now is on speed, power, and being some sort of jack-of-all-trades who could conceivably play at centre-half or upfront if given the right coaching. You can have the touch of a rapist, but as long as you have the pace of a gazelle then you'll do.
Valeron will never go down as one of the greats, despite Roy Mackaay saying he's the best player he has ever played with. He never won a big trophy, and he never quite made it at international level, with coaches unwilling to trust his talent. Deportivo did however, and they flourished as a result. His injury coincided with them plummeting down the league, but now that he's back they are a top half team once more, with a rebirth in the Champions League only 3 points away. At 33 Valeron surely doesn't have much left in the tank, but given his style of play there is at least another season or two in him. No doubt that his retirement will make as much of a splash in the media as his comeback from injury, but personally speaking I can't think of a player I'll be sadder to see leave the game the Valeron.
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