Victor Valdes – Manchester United
It’s been sad, seeing – well, not seeing, really, but knowing – one of Europe’s most decorated goalkeepers is wasting away in a bizarre limbo, stagnating at age 33 – which is still young for a goalkeeper – in some obscured part of Manchester. In hindsight, the decision to come to United was a terrible one, and Valdes, recovered from his knee injury, could be put to very good use elsewhere. Plenty of clubs need a good, hugely experienced ball-playing goalkeeper, and they have one ready to go just about anywhere, so long as it’s away from Old Trafford.
Two clubs may be interested; Liverpool and Everton. Simon Mignolet, while a terrific stopper of shots, with lightning quick reactions, still is a deer on ice with the ball at his feet. Klopp’s Liverpool will hog the ball far less than Rodgers’ did, but they could still do with an upgrade between the sticks, even if they only used Valdes as a back up for Mignolet. More promising a destination is Everton, who require a replacement for a creaky Tim Howard post-haste. Howard can last this season out, and Valdes, who would slot perfectly into Martinez’s attractive system, would be ideal. A Renaissance, and a push for Europe next season beckons.
Likely Destination: Everton, to say Hola to Bobby.
