By: David Cath
When Columbus Crew SC hosts La Liga’s Valencia CF this Wednesday as part of the LFP World Challenge, the Black & Gold will be going toe-to-toe with a 2015-16 UEFA Champions League Playoff Stage entrant that fields two players from this season's “La Liga Team of the Season.” Only FC Barcelona and Real Madrid fielded more. Needless to say, it’s going to be a fun match to watch.
In case you’re not up-to-date on your Valencia knowledge, we’ve done the work for you. Here’s a list of players to watch for when one of La Liga’s best comes to town.
Forward Francisco “Paco” Alcacer
At only 21 years old, the Spanish striker has already cemented himself as one of the League’s top goal scorers. In La Liga play, Alcacer scored 10 goals and dished out five assists in 25 appearances for the fourth-ranked club.
Though Alcacer’s professional career is just blooming, his international accolades are already starting to mount. In May 2010, Alcacer led Spain to the UEFA Under-17 European Championship match where he earned top-scorer honors with six goals throughout the tournament. In June 2011, the striker led his home country to an Under-19 European Championship title thanks to his three-goal performance. Alcacer continued his goal scoring run into the 2012 Under-19 European Championship match, scoring two goals and leading Spain to another trophy ceremony.
Midfielder Dani Parejo
A product of Real Madrid’s development academy, Parejo earned his stripes elsewhere. After his stint as a youth member for one of Spain’s perennial powerhouses, Parejo transferred to Queens Park Rangers in 2008, then to Getafe in 2009, where the Madrid-native played until his signing with Valencia in 2011.
Parejo is a central midfielder who combines defensive substance with keen offensive vision, rightly earning him top goal-scoring honors for Valencia (11) and a spot on UEFA’s “Best Eleven Players of La Liga in 2014-15.” For a team that is aggressive and prefers to attack through the middle, Parejo is a valuable asset to Valencia’s style of play and a fun player to watch for any soccer fan.
Defender Nicolás Otamendi
As one of the best center backs in the world, it’s a no-brainer as to UEFA named Otamendi as one of La Liga’s “Best Eleven Players for the 2014-15 season.” For a defender, the 27-year-old is known for his positioning and great anticipation, and with six goals on the season, the Argentine international has the gift of quality touch with the ball at his feet.
Defender Jose Gaya
Jose Guya is the definition of a homegrown jewel. The attacking fullback for Valencia has been with the club since the beginning, playing in its development academies, and he has sprouted into one of the club’s most promising young players.
Guya’s 2015 campaign served as a showcase for the young defender’s potential and his play did not go unnoticed, as Guya was recently chosen in the “Once de Oro” in Futbol Draft 2015, which names the best Spanish players born after January 1, 1994. Guya’s specific recognition comes in the form as the best young left back in 2015.
Forward Alvaro Negredo Sanchez
As the second-most expensive transfer in club history, Alvaro Negredo tallied five goals in 33 appearances this season. On loan from Manchester City FC, although his offensive capabilities haven’t been on display as much this year, Negredo’s knack for finding the back of the net has earned him a spot as a full member of the Spanish National Team, with which he won the 2012 European Championship.
