Four players Valencia should pursue to improve their chances in La Liga

Valencia CF’s tinkering of the squad continues, as they look to add newer faces to the team in Peter Lim era. 2014/15 has seen the departure of more than as 10 players and more are expected to leave. Valencia has brought in 12 new players including big name, big money transfers like Alvaro Negredo and Enzo Perez.But according to head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, the squad is still not complete and requires reinforcements in several areas – if it is to work its way back to top 4. The imposition of FFP though does not allow Valencia to sign all these players at once.However in the course of the next six months, Valencia is expected to start tying up their targets with next season in mind. Valencia Director of Sporting Francisco Rufete has been scouting a lot of players over the past year. Here are four such players he must attempt to sign before the next campaign:

#4 Juan Mata

Enzo Perez has been brought in to improve Valencia’s transition from midfield to the final third. The former Benfica man possesses the dynamism and drive to energize Valencia’s attacks. But as good as he is, Enzo lacks the creative genius to unlock defences from the final third. This is where Valencia is frequently falling short with no proper delivery or final ball to the likes of Negredo and Paco Alcacer.

A visionary attacking midfielder in the mold of an Aimar, Silva or Mata could solve Valencia’s problems. Although Mata has found some form at Manchester United, he still has not won Louis Van Gaal over. Thus, Los Che should be ready to take advantage of any opportunity to bring back Mata back to the Mestalla. A team featuring Andre Gomes, Dani Parejo, Enzo Perez, Juan Mata, Rodrigo Moreno, and one of Alvaro Negredo/Paco Alcacer could give the best clubs in Europe a run for their money.

Alternatives to Mata includes trying out homegrown player Fede Cartabia. Ezequiel Lavezzi’s name has also been all over too.

#3 Saul Niguez

With Dani Parejo, Andre Gomes and Enzo Perez as the three central midfielders, Valencia are looking at two defensive midfielders to complete the squad. Coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s inclination towards a three man midfield means at least five midfielders must be there to endure fifty plus games.

Saul Niguez is the second of the defensive midfielders, Valencia seeks. Some describe him as the next Koke while some call him the next Busquets – but there is little doubt the Atletico Madrid youngster is destined for a big future. Despite being only 20, Saul demonstrates great maturity which has won him a place in Diego Simeone’s first team instead of being sent on loan.

Last season on loan at Vallecano, Niguez made 2.8 tackles, 2.9 interceptions, and 3.5 clearances. The youngster also made 50.6 passes a game at 79% accuracy. This by itself is an upgrade over many of Valencia’s existing midfielders.

But why would Atletico sell one of their prized youngsters? Meriton Holdings owned by Peter Lim, reportedly holds 40% rights of Niguez. The youngster has only featured for Atletico in a handful of games. Thus, a loan move with future buy clause could be very much on the cards particularly with the help of Lim’s friend Jorge Mendes, who also happens to be the players agent.

Another similar player Valencia has been scouting is Sampdoria’s Italian midfielder Roberto Soriano.

#2 Matas Kranevitter

Valencia is pretty thin the defensive midfield compartment with 31-year-old Javi Fuego as the only option. On loan players, Filipe Augusto and Bruno Zuculini have been deemed too inexperienced, and thus their loan deal will be cut short. Enzo Perez has been asked to play the holding role on a couple of occassions.

But this way Valencia will not be able to make best use of the 25 Mill Euro midfielder. Fuego is a player of Valencia’s financial crisis era, signed on bosman from Rayo Vallecano. While Fuego is reliable and consistent, he is a limited and one dimensional player. And unlike the Baraja’s and Albelda’s of the past, Fuego rarely dominates the midfield. The Lim era requires a midfielder who would bring a lot more to the pitch.

Valencia’s first choice appears to be River Plates 21 year old midfielder Matias Kranevitter. The Argentine posseses Italian citizenship, thus will not count as Non EU. Considered the best young number 5 in Argentina now, Kranevitter has been tipped to be the long term replacement of Javier Mascherano. Kranevitter is known for his ability to read the game, anticipate and destroy opposition attacks with precise interceptions.

While not exactly big in stature, he also wins a lot of balls with his perfectly timed tackles. The Argentine is very good with the ball, capable of dictating tempo and distributing to more advanced midfielders with metronomic passing. Competition is stiff though for his signing with the likes of Napoli, Atletico Madrid in the mix.

Alternatives to Kranevitter includes Malaga midfielder Ignacio Camacho (Who seems more likely to head to Atletico) and Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang.

#1 Hugo Mallo

The right back position is one Valencia’s weakest areas. The underrated Antonio Barragan has often surprised with brave and endearing performances. His consistent showings has prompted the Mestalla hierarchy to offer him a new contract. But even when at his best, he often falls short of Valencia’s requirement. Barragan lacks a good final ball, and often susceptible at the back.

Second choice right back Joao Cancelo (On Loan From Benfica) shows promise but is very green for the level Valencia wants to compete at. Whether Benfica will be willing to sell the on-loan player for a reasonable fee is the other question.

The name of Hugo Mallo has resonated with Valencia fans for a while, and the club has followed the 23-year old fullback for a couple of seasons. The Celta Vigo right back is a much more complete player than Barragan. According to Whoscored, this season Mallo enjoys 3.3 tackles (per game), 2.8 interceptions and 2.1 clearances versus Barragan’s 2.2, 1.8 and 1.8. Mallo also contributes 41.4 passes per game compared to Barragan’s 29.5. Mallo has acquired solid experience the last couple of years, and at 23, he is expected to grow and develop further.

Valencia were also vaguely linked with Italian fullback Matteo Darmian last October. Super agent Mendes is also known to be pursuing Brazilian rightback Marcos Rocha. Rufete could also consider Levante’s Ivan Lopez and Villareal’s Mario Gaspar.