Midfield
Argentinian Ever Banega and Mexico’s Andres Guardado would feature in what would an ideal mix of silk and steel in midfield for Valencia.
Ever Banega is a central midfielder known for his dribbling and passing ability. While most often deployed as an attacking midfielder, he also possesses the tactical nous required to play as a defensive midfielder. Banega left Valencia in 2014 to join outgoing Valencia manager Unai Emery at Sevilla.
Complimenting the skills of Ever Banega is Andres Guardado.The Mexican, known for his ball rotation and retention currently plays for Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. He went to PSV on loan in 2014 and won the league with them becoming a cult hero in the process.
The switch was made permanent in the 2015 summer transfer market. He also won the Johan Cruyff Shield with PSV this season.
Valencia’s greatest assets lay in the attacking midfield department. They had a wealth of riches coming through; players they were forced to sell due to the club being burdened by debt. The list starts with mercurial attacking midfielder David Silva who now plays for Manchester City.
David Silva was a product of the Valencia youth academy and joined the first team in the 2005-2006 season. His passing and silky skills have earned him the nickname “Merlin”. The playmaker won the Copa del Rey with La Liga side before leaving for Manchester City in 2010 for a reported fee of £24 million.
He has won two Premier League titles and one FA Cup with the Manchester club.
This Valencia eleven would feature Juan Mata in the right attacking midfield slot. A product of the Real Madrid youth setup, Mata joined Valencia in 2007. He made 174 appearances for the club, becoming an integral part of their midfield.
Mata left for Chelsea in August 2011 after scoring 46 goals at Valencia. He won the Champions League and FA Cup at Chelsea as the creative hub of the side. The Spaniard now plays under Louis van Gaal at Manchester United.
Mata and Silva once upon a time worked their magic together at Valencia, setting up goals for star forward David Villa.
Another Valencia academy graduate, Isco would line-up in the all-Spanish attacking midfield trident. Isco, who currently plays for Real Madrid was released after only 4 league matches for the first team. He joined Malaga where he won the Golden Boy Award beating Thibaut Courtois and Stephan El Shaarawy.
Isco is gifted with inch-perfect passing and dribbling ability. Playing a deeper role for Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, he won the La Decima, a record tenth Champions League title with them.
