I'm starting to remember why I really liked Valencia when I first saw him in the 2006 World Cup. He's really coming along well. Very nice indeed.
Antonio Valencia | 2009/10 Performances
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I was one of his critics in that I thought Nani was better but he's slowly converting me. Looks like a very good signing.
He has found his form on the right wing now. Looks sharper, more confident and has a goal threat in his play. His performances over the last month suggest that he has settled into this squad nicely.
All you can say is keep up the good work and continue to develop as a player.
All you can say is keep up the good work and continue to develop as a player.
He's been a dream signing. He didn't try to do too much initially, just put some solid performances in. As he's settled and found his confidence, he just looks a better and better player. He reminds me of Kanchelskis, quick, powerful (more so) and direct. And he scores his fair share of goals so far too. Really impressed
I agree with B Cantona
How many goals is that for him now?
Five
The thing I like about Valencia, is his consistency on the pitch. Although he might never become a world class player and give us those breathtaking performance or magical moment, you will always know what's he going to offer us on the pitch. No nonsense from him, and especially on counter he will punish defenders directly with his strength and pace.
Yep, turned 24 just 4 months ago.
Yep, looks a brilliant signing. Started off solidly, but it now looks as if he could go on to be a star.
It was hilarious how much faster he was than everyone else on the pitch yesterday, which is ridiculous given the pace of some of the players on both sides.
It was hilarious how much faster he was than everyone else on the pitch yesterday, which is ridiculous given the pace of some of the players on both sides.
the boy is growing in confidence i feel he has a few more gears to go through as well... Just look when he opens up deep in our half he can take it round 3 players at will. It can be so easy for him im sure he will realize this and it will be a great weapon on the counter with time.. Just like ronnie used to in a way.
but he needs to use his damn left foot sometime
he has actually scored with the left foot once when playing for wigan, couldnt believe my eyes
YouTube - Antonio Valencia - The Magician
he has actually scored with the left foot once when playing for wigan, couldnt believe my eyes
YouTube - Antonio Valencia - The Magician
Yea it's really stopping him from impacting positively on the games isn't it.
Oh wait.
Is there any magical spell on his left foot, like when he used it a cat would die or something? Never saw him touch the ball with his left foot for whatever reasons.
he is a beast of a man thats for sure, would like to see him with his top off, reckon he would give ronnie a run for his money.
take a guy like giggs for example, one of the best dribbles ever in pro football, don't you imagine how good he would have been if he was ambidextrous? he would probably had been totally unbeatable.
okaaay....
i don't trust him. possibly because of his secondhand car dealer hair style. needs a moustache before i’m convinced of this and him in a united shirt.
In his old age he's alot more ambidextrous and willing to use variety in his game and it's paying dividends. Valencia if he added it would be extremely hard to stop.. plenty of occasions where he beats 2/3 men is by the edge of the box where he can unleash with his left but then chooses to wait for support and lays it off with his right.
Yea but he was so left footed eh? Shame that, fecking useless he was.
you clearly don't get the point, either that or you just like to act ignorant.
he is a very crafty footballer, but he is not an artist and he will never be one. nowhere close to Beckham, Ronnie, Best in terms of quality. But i'm more than pleased with his contribution.
You said he needs to use his left foot.
I'm saying it's hardly hindering him so far. Yes there have been a few times when he's cut in and shot with his right when his left would have maybe been better, but to say he needs to start using his left foot suggests that so far he is having troubles, when he's not.
I must say, I was quite dubious of signing him but I was always going to give him his fair chance. He's pretty immense in all honesty and I'm very happy with him, he has an amazing turn of pace, a good cross, strength on and off the ball, tracks back well and has an eye for goals, both tap-ins and rocket-shots.
Very pleased with him and he'll only improve with time and games.
Very pleased with him and he'll only improve with time and games.
Beckham wasn't an artist. He was a very effective player, who made the most out of two main attributes; a superb right peg and endless stamina.
off course it's hindering him, i've seen him making impossible crosses many times instead of cutting in easily using the lefty. same with messi, i've seen defenders block messi's left path since they know that he will probably not use his right foot to dribble. it's clearly an issue that needs to be handeled, and im sure that sir alex has instructed his trainers to work on his versatility.
i'm not saying that he's not good, he probably was our best player last moth. i just want him to maximize his abilities.
beckham was an opportunist who siezed the moment when every defenders task was to block giggs's path. ... imo...
quality player nevertheless
I know what you're saying, but I don't particularly agree that it's a hindrance as such. Same goes for Giggs, and as you say Messi. Would they be better if they had more use of their other foot? Yea, sure. But does it really stop them from doing a belting job as they are? Nope.
It's not a limitation, if he could use his left foot to the same effect as his other foot it would just be a massive bonus. He really doesnt need to use his left foot much. You have watched Ronaldo play too much.
This is my way of thinking too.
from my experience (sunday leagueish), i basically became a dribbling virtuoso after training my left foot.
True. There are few footballers capable of playing as well with both their feet as Ronaldo does but he's the one that sets the mark for our fans nowadays. No one is ever going to match him at that. Of course it adds the element of unpredictability but it's not a complete necessity.
What should matter most for Valencia is knowing when to change direction and cut in. When that is mastered, a player can be as one footed as Maradona, Van Piersie and Suker were and still be an absolute headache to play against.
Valencia's more one-footed than Van Persie.
I don't think we expect Valencia to become as good on his left foot as Ronaldo was, we just want to see him actually have confidence to take shots and play passes with his left foot, rather than depend utterly on his right foot.
Against decent defenders, Valencia will need to be using both feet to keep opponents guessing, where currently he isn't.
Having said this though, I'm perfectly happy with the way he's been playing of late. These last few games he's really come into his own and has started to look very useful, showing that talent, pace and ability he undoubtebly has. 5 goals so far this season is a good haul and more to come I'm sure. Keep working hard boy, rewards will come!
Against decent defenders, Valencia will need to be using both feet to keep opponents guessing, where currently he isn't.
Having said this though, I'm perfectly happy with the way he's been playing of late. These last few games he's really come into his own and has started to look very useful, showing that talent, pace and ability he undoubtebly has. 5 goals so far this season is a good haul and more to come I'm sure. Keep working hard boy, rewards will come!
Been impressed with him. Can't really fault him so far. Nearly as many goals as he scored the entire time with Wigan. Playing with better players now and improving every game.
He did a fine job against one of the better left backs in the league - Baines. Besides our own Evra, Cole and Clichy he's arguably the best of the rest.
He doesn't need to at all, it'd be useful but not necessary.
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