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Public statement by Victor Valdes' agent Gines Carvajal, stating that his client does not want to extend the contract with "Barcelona," as expected, has sparked rumors in the media. Some journalists believe that this was done simply at the wrong time, as the team still has many important matches ahead. Others, as if nothing happened, are already looking for a replacement and interpret the words of the Catalan representatives as a final decision. Neither Valdes himself nor the management of "Barcelona" has so far commented on the situation, so it was tried to be reviewed in the newspaper "El Mundo Deportivo" by the deputy editor-in-chief Francesc Aguilar.
It is a public secret that the attacking style of "Barcelona" football starts "from the feet of Victor Valdes," and the Catalan club has long not had such a stable goalkeeper. It is obvious that he has contributed greatly to the most famous victories in the team's history and the five Ricardo Zamora trophies won only confirm that he is the ideal goalkeeper for "Barca."
Now, after it has been announced that he does not want to sign a new contract, several possible scenarios remain to be reviewed. The truth is, let's immediately admit that Valdes' contract is valid until the summer of 2014, which means that the club and the player will still have to sit down at the negotiating table. Some kind of decision must be made about the current contract, which still has about a year and a half left.
The first scenario is that the "Barcelona" team can continue to play as if nothing happened. Valdes' contract will be valid next season, so the club will have enough time to find a replacement for the raised Catalan. Potential replacements can also be found in the youth academy, where players like Oier Olazabal, Miguel Banuzas, Jordi Masip, or the young Cameroonian Joseph Fabrice Ondoa play.
The second scenario is that "Barcelona" finishes this season with the current lineup, and in the summer buys a high-class goalkeeper. This means that Valdes (remember that his contract is still valid) will sit on the bench and play episodically only when there is no other option.
The third scenario is that "Barcelona," if the player wishes, can already start negotiations with other clubs, sell Valdes for a decent sum, and if necessary, add money to buy a solid replacement. It is said that the sports management of the Catalan club has prepared lists for any case if any player publicly expresses a desire to leave.
Each of these scenarios has its pros and cons, but we have forgotten another factor that may also have an impact. We still need to find out how Barcelona fans will react to Valdes' statements. All of this will become very clear very quickly - just wait for the first matches at the Camp Nou stadium.
Valdes has always been known for his fighting spirit, and throughout his career, he has had to go through much more difficult moments, so it can be assumed that the reaction of the stands, whatever it may be, will help the goalkeeper make the final decision.
Victor Valdes is at a crossroads, and so is Barcelona. Not long ago, the team's president Sandro Rosell stated that he dreams that Valdes will end his professional career at the club where he grew up and matured. That club, as we all know, is "Barcelona." If it turns out that the goalkeeper does not want to sign a new contract because he feels undervalued financially, the team's leaders will have to decide - offer better financial conditions or take the risk, sell Valdes, and try to find a suitable player on the market.
To play for Barcelona, it is not enough to just be a very good goalkeeper in another team. On the other hand, there are no irreplaceable players, but let's not forget one thing - it is obvious that a newcomer in goal will have to adapt to the team, not the team to the newcomer."
