I am a Barca fan. Valdes is a shithound. He makes too many mistakes for a keeper at top club like Barcelona. Talk done.
I was hoping for a more well-thought out and more specific answer than that, but, let me guess, the powers-that-be at a top club like Barcelona (the board, the coaching staff, including the goalkeeping coaches) really either don't know as much about goalkeepers as his critics like yourself......or they see it fit to bring him up through the youth ranks (just as the Spanish FA saw it fit to select him on their U-19 and U-21) and have him starting the senior team since 2002 because what, they feeling sorry for him?.....or he have some kinda Mafia hold over the club?
My opinion is based solely on Valdes' performances on the pitch. As far as I see Valdes makes too many mistakes and he isn't improving on certain areas. I remember when Casillas used to have trouble on collecting cross balls. Teams used to exploit this weakness and RM and Casillas worked hard to correct that problem over time. Valdes consistently shows technical and mental lapses. Including conceding several goals at the near post, indecision on corners and poor positioning on set pieces. Valdes is not a 'youngster' any more. The guy is 27 , he has to do better. Last week's performance against Espanyol was admittedly a blip. He generally has good distribution that mistake was unfortunate, but a mistake nonetheless.
We have had a problem with goalkeepers for a while now. Between he, Rustu, Bonano and this clown they buy from Celta he is the best. But watch the names I just highlighted.
He hasn't been able to take his promise in youth to the next level. When last was he even called to a Spanish squad ? In fact checking his record on Wikipedia he has no caps at senior level. I am not comfortable with him at the back.
Well.....you at least fulfilled half my request.......you gave your answer some substance, but I still can't agree with you, it just doesn't make sense that you are right. Barcelona is one of the biggest clubs in the world. They can practically approach any goalkeeper under contract (if they chose to do business that way) and can almost guarantee signing him. Why would they keep a man anchoring their defence that has all the flaws that you pointed out? Why would they keep him as their starting GK for 6 years if he's that bad? He has never improved after representing Spain at the not-so-youth level (U19 and U-21 as opposed to U-15 and U-17). His technical ability is practically nonexistent. His positioning on set pieces and indecision on handling corners is terrible......and yet, the Spanish FA saw it fit to give him a call up for the Euros even if he didn't make the final cut. Go figure.
Also, since yuh make meh "Wikipedia" him I see where he was awarded "Best Goalkeeper in Spain" in the '04-'05 season and 3rd place the following year. I didn't even know about dat, but he's on course to be considered in the top three again this season. Not bad for a shithong, eh? ![Wink ;)](https://www.socawarriors.net/forum/Smileys/socawarriors/wink.gif)
Firstly, youth level is youth level. The man has 0 senior international caps. I know he has been called into squads in the past but in all that time Valdes never played a second of international football for Spain. There's no sin in that but it's a statement of fact. Furthermore I never denied that the man didn't exhibit great talent at youth level. My contention is Valdes' mistakes are consistently reminiscent of that young goalkeeper we saw years ago.
The weaknesses I pointed out were based on my observation. Despite Valdes' excellent shot stopping ability which I believe is his greatest strength , he has exhibited these weaknesses on numerous occasions.
Regarding the fact that Barca hasn't bought another keeper is not for a lack of trying. It's worth noting that Barca showed interest in Cech and Buffon only to have the request denied by the players' respective clubs.
Firstly, youth level is not just youth level. You have to be considered the best at your age level to be considered to play for your country, not so? Otherwise, yuh still missin' the point, jed. Everybody and dey mudder "showed interest" in Cech and Buffon. that says nothing of Barca wanting so desperately to replace Valdes because (as you say) he is such a bad 'keeper......or a "shithound..." As a matter of fact, the time that Barca was showing interest in Buffon was in 2001. The year BEFORE Valdes was called up to Barca's senior team. But let's forget about Cech, Buffon and Casillas. I want you to rationalize to me why it is that Barca have not tried to sign other goalkeepers that are not necessarily in their league, maybe just one level below them, or maybe a younger one with just as much talent, like an Igor Akinfeev or an Oscar Ustari, to replace a goalkeeper that you say is so bad and has so many weaknesses? Showing interest in GK's that you know the other team won't sell does not sound too much like a team trying to replace their own, boss.
http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/02/27/1130747/i-could-have-joined-barcelona-or-roma-juventus-goalkeeper-buffon Research shows that Juventus is the one willing to unload Buffon, such is their desire to sign Messi. Not the other way around
I agree, he has no caps for Spain, but what 'keeper in Spain, over the past 9 years, was going to get a Start in front of Casillas and Canizares and now Casillas and Reina? But he has been called up, even if he don't make the final three, so the Spanish coaches obviously think he's good enough to compete for a place in the national team. Don't sound like no "shithound" to me. I am willing to bet he might even get a call up from Del Bosque if he keep up his current form. Peace.