Valencia CF Faces Summer Squad Challenges Amid Rising Season Ticket Sales
Valencia CF deals with player departures and preseason woes as season ticket sales increase.
Key Points
- • Valencia CF lost key players, including Mamardashvili and Mosquera, this summer.
- • The club secured only three low-cost signings while struggling with contract renewals.
- • Season ticket holder numbers rose to 40,479, indicating fan support amidst challenges.
- • The team's pre-season results have been poor, resulting in no wins in four matches.
Valencia CF is navigating a tumultuous summer as the team grapples with significant player departures and an uncertain path for squad rebuilding ahead of the new season. Key losses include goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who transferred to Liverpool, and Christian Mosquera, sold to Arsenal for €20 million. These departures have raised concerns about the club's competitiveness in La Liga.
Despite these challenges, Valencia has seen a positive uptick in fan engagement, with season ticket holders swelling to 40,479, reflecting strong support from the community. This increase comes even as the team has only secured three low-cost signings this summer, leading to questions about their strategy going forward. Pegged to restore the club’s competitive edge, CEO Ron Gourlay has remained conspicuously silent since his appointment, leaving many fans uneasy.
The club's pre-season performance has been less than encouraging, with four matches played without a single victory, including losses to Castellón and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Efforts to renew contracts for key talents like César Tárrega, Javi Guerra, and Diego López have stalled, heightening the urgency for new recruits. Currently, Valencia is on the lookout for both a forward and a midfielder, with interest in Baptiste Santamaría from Rennes, while also considering prospects from their academy.