Javi Gracia, the burning nail of Valencia

Valencia consummated the departure of Cristiano Piccini yesterday. The Italian is the eighth footballer to leave the locker room compared to last year's squad (Parejo, Coquelin, Ferran, Rodrigo, Garay and those on loan Jaume Costa and Florenzi). No one has entered the door at the moment. Anil Murthy predicts reinforcements, although he warns that until October 5 the market will be “open” and therefore asked “patience” to a hobby that today only has one nail to hold on to: Javi Gracia. Of course, Valencianism grips with strength and confidence.

The Navarrese got off to a good start among the fans for not having more godfather than his career and during the summer he has won over the footballers. As of Sunday, when some see each other in the eleven and others in the stands, another chapter of romance will begin and that is where his 323 games on the benches will enter the scene to keep the idyll with them. But his messages, direct and clear about what he thinks of each one, the players have thanked them and also their responses amid so much fog around the team (He earned the respect of his people when they felt his support for the delay of the July payroll).

Gracia, whose name came to the list that Anil Murthy considered through his representative, finding endorsement in the reports of Miguel Ángel Corona, he was finally chosen after a meeting in Madrid and a conversation on 'Zoom'. De Gracia appreciated his resume, including his fluency in English (vital to be able to speak without intermediaries with Lim), his experience in foreign-owned clubs (Málaga and Watford), his understanding when it comes to understanding the need to sell footballers and his proven commitment to talented young people. Among his demands, according to club sources, surround himself with a technician who knew the house (Chema Sanz) and reinforce those positions that were orphaned by the exits (a fact that has not yet occurred and hence his request for a central and a midfielder).

Gracia will debut on Sunday against Levante after an atypical preseason due to the pandemic. Despite the setbacks he has had from injuries and quarantines, reaches the league debut undefeated after three victories (Castellón, Villarreal and Cartagena) and a draw (Levante). Valencia in these games has taken steps towards what Gracia wants his team to be: solvent in defense (Last year he received 572 league shots, an average of 15 per game) and vertical in attack. Gracia is rehearsing with a 4-2-3-1, giving Kang-in Lee freedom of movementLim's right eye, although he has shown to be open to other resources if circumstances require it (the last friendly was played with a three-center line).