Whilst Valencia CF did not have the best of times with results this season it was not a bad campaign for the ‘comunidad’ as a whole. Both Levante UD and Elche gained automatic promotion from ‘Liga Hypermotion’ and Champions League football will be on show at the Estadio de la Cerámica  with Villarreal once again in August. Levante UD who have flirted with top spot in their league for most of the season had a strong finish to their 42 match league and procured promotion with one game remaining. Official confirmation came after an incredible comeback away at Burgos in the penultimate game of the season. Losing 2-1 with five minutes of normal time remaining they scored a brace through Roger Brugué and Carlos Álvarez to gain all three points and stretch far enough clear of third place to know La Liga Division One football was coming back to Estadi Ciutat de Valencia next time around.

The goal by Álvarez was an unstoppable effort from well outside the penalty area, and capped of a fantastic personal campaign for the diminutive attacker. Having represented Spain at under 16, under 17 and under 19 level he will certainly be on the radar of Luis de la Fuente for a potential senior cap. Indeed, Los Granotas will do well to keep him on their books as admiring suitors will undoubtedly start making enquiries about the availability of the 21 year-old from Sanlúcar la Mayor.

Going into the final game against Eibar in front of a sell-out home crowd, Levante knew a win would ensure they got promoted as champions. They duly obliged with a single goal victory, courtesy of a late penalty by Adrián de la Fuente. At the same time, Elche were also doing the business and emphatically getting the necessary result to bag second place and the final automatic spot. A blistering 4-0 hammering of Deportivo de La Coruña in Galica kept Eder Sarabia’s side two points clear of the chasing pack.

Oviedo, Mirandes, Racing Santander and Almeria will slug it out for the final place in La Liga through the nervy play-off system. Real Valladolid, Las Palmas and Leganés will be the teams leaving La Liga.

Villarreal had another strong showing under Marcelino and secured fifth place on the final day of the 2024/25 league, and consequently, qualified for the most prestigious club tournament in Europe via a European Performance Spot.

This initiative rewards the top two associations that have the best collective performances for their men’s teams in the most recent European competitions, with England and Spain finishing first and second respectively this time round. Newcastle United are the other beneficiary of this concept.

Valencia finished in 12th place eventually despite seriously flirting with relegation until the appointment of Carlos Corberán, arguably the club’s best signing of the season.

The improvement in performances and results were staggering, to the point that a European Conference spot seemed a possibility with a handful of games to go.

A sluggish end to the season soon put pay to that suggestion but the signs were good for the future. Indeed, good summer transfer investments could lead to Los Che fighting for one of the European places on offer in 2026.

A goalkeeper and an out and out striker would seem to be the priorities on the Valencia shopping list. With both Giorgi Mamardashvili and Jaume Doménech saying their goodbyes after the Real Betis game in Sevilla, the only goalkeeper with experience on the club’s books is Stole Dimitrievski.

The North Macedonian has a great chance to establish himself  as Valencia’s number one but competition would be healthy and adding another stopper to challenge for the spot would seem a logical conclusion. Former Valencia favourite Vicente Guaita and Javea-born Antonio Sivera Salvá are two names that have been touted in the media.

Up front, Valencia also look lightweight. Rafa Mir has confirmed his departure and Sadiq’s loan spell from Real Sociedad concludes at the end of this month. The Nigerian international has been impressive in Valencia colours and many of the club’s supporters would love to see a permanent deal penned for the African international. Another player Valencia would love to see back at the Mestalla next season is Enzo Barrenechea. A  favourite of the fans, he was one of the big positives and the Argentinian has fitted in well both on and off the field.

Having missed out on Champions League Football on goal difference, a return to Aston Villa may not seem as glamorous as it possibly could have been. Hopefully, the board will try and pull out all the stops to persuade the Villa Maria (Argentine) native to stay longer at the Mestalla. Max Aarons and Max Caufriez are set to return to their respective clubs, Bournemouth and Clermont, as is Iván Jaime who is earmarked to go back to Portugal and Porto in a few weeks’ time.

Loanees scheduled to return are the Valladolid duo of Eray Cömert and Cenk Özkacar, along with the youngsters German Valera, Alberto Mari and Hugo Gonzalez. Whether Cenk and Eray come back into the Valencia fray could well depend on any potential outgoings. Cristhian Mosquera is well fancied by many of the top European clubs and if he stays it is likely both Comert and Ozkacar would be surplus to requirements.

Hugo González was loaned out twice (FC Cartagena and Celta Fortuna) and a third exit would not be unexpected. Alberto Marí and Valera could save money in the market for Valencia and good pre-seasons for both could see them in or around the first team when the league fixtures commence again. Finally, Valencia have announced their first friendly fixture of the summer. The first team squad will play Borussia Mönchengladbach, in Germany, at Borussia Park on Saturday August 2nd, with an 8.30 pm start time.

Later this month they will be announcing further fixtures and their opponents for the 53rd Trofeo Naranja, which is likely to take place a week after the Borussia Mönchengladbach match. Information on new fixtures will be updated on the ‘24/7 Valencia’ social media.

Report by John Howden

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’