Rumours persist of a potential move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Roberto Soldado to La Liga outfit Villarreal, but would it be a good decision for those involved? Outside90’s Dave Blackmore examines the pros and cons of the deal.
Positives
Proven La Liga goal scorer
Soldado spent eight years in La Liga before his move to England. In his time with Real Madrid, Osasuna, Getafe and Valencia, Soldado was a genuine goal threat. Rarely used by Los Blancos after coming through the youth and reserve sides, he started to discover his quality on loan at Osasuna.
30 appearances in the 2006-07 season for Los Rojillos returned 11 goals for the then 22-year-old forward. Returning to Madrid the following season, Soldado saw little game time and would move to Getafe prior to the 2008-09 campaign. 60 appearances and 29 goals later would see the Spanish international move to Valencia.
It was at the Mestalla that Soladado would reach his peak. Three seasons, 101 games, 59 goals. Scoring at a rate of more than a goal a game for Los Che made him one of the world’s most wanted strikers. Over his final season in La Liga he scored 24 goals, making him the fifth-highest scorer.
Old hand
Although Soldado himself would argue that he still has much to offer the Yellow Submarine on the pitch, his value off it may outweigh that. Soldado would come to Villarreal at 30-years-old and would have much experience to lend the younger generation.
As of writing, Villarreal’s forward line consists of Gerard Moreno (23), Leo Baptistao (22) and Samuel Garcia (25). They do also have Jonathon Pereira (28) in their ranks, but he is very much on the outer.
Soldado can offer a helping hand to the young strikers, Moreno especially. Both play a similar style and both are poachers who do their best work inside the 18-yard box. If Soldado can pass on some of his advanced skills to Moreno, then we could see the young Spaniard having his best season yet.
Negatives
His last two-years
Soldado traded Valencia for Tottenham in 2013 and has since cut a frustrating figure at White Hart Lane. The return of seven goals in 51 league games has not been good enough for a team fighting for the all important Premier League top four.
Soldado started well, scoring on debut, but has never taken flight in England. Of his seven goals, four have come from the penalty spot, meaning he has only scored three from open play. He has seen his spot taken from him by Harry Kane and since the arrival of the London native, has been a regular feature on the Spurs’ bench.
The Spaniard would arrive at El Madrigal low on confidence, not knowing if a starting spot is within his reach. His past two seasons may have done more damage to him than can be resolved.
Youth over experience
Marcelino has never been afraid of using young players – this does not seem to be a factor in his decision making. If you perform well enough you will see game time, regardless of your age or experience.
For Soldado, that would mean he would have to fight to have a place in the team, but giving him one could prove to stunt the development of Villarreal’s youngsters. At 30-years of age, and coming off a horrendous two-years, it would be in Marcelino’s best interests to stick with his young brigade rather than put Soldado to the top of the pecking order.
This may prove to be a positive for signing Soldado, he would have to be at his best to play, which could see him return to the top of his game. If he is not ready to fight for a place though, we could see him spending as much time on the Villarreal bench as he did at White Hart Lane.
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Verdict
If Soldado did make the move to El Madrigal, Villarreal would be getting a player that could improve the team both on the pitch and off it. One need not look far in the past to see a prime example of a player who failed to live up to expectations in England come to Villarreal and make a massive impact. Uruguayan Diego Forlan was cast aside at Manchester United, came to Villarreal, and led the Yellow Submarine to a Champions League semi-final.
That goal may just be out of the reach of this Villarreal team, but if Soldado were to swap London for new surroundings, look for him to make a similar impact.
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diego forlan was not argentinian