|
 |
 |
|
JUAN CARLOS VALERÓN SANTANA
Squad Number 07/08: 21
Date of Birth: 17 June, 1975
Nationality: Spain (international from 1998 until now)
Contract: 2000 - 2010
Transfer: ca. 10,9 million (1.700 mln ptas) (2000)
Previous Clubs: Atlético de Madrid (1998-2000), Real Mallorca (1997-1998), Las Palmas (1995-1997)
Buy out Clause: ca. €64,1 million (10.000 million pesetas)
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Position: Offensive Midfielder (central)
|
|
|
 Gifted midfielder VALERÓN is among the best players in the Spanish Liga and the leader of Deportivo's offensive displays. The club recently rewarded him for his excellent performances by raising his salary and extending his contract until 2010. Valerón is very happy in La Coruña and Riazor is delighted to see his qualities. It looks like a perfect marriage.
The playmaker was born on the Canary Islands and made his professional debut at UD Las Palmas. He then moved to Mallorca in 1997 before moving on after 36 Liga matches to Atlético de Madrid. After 65 matches and 7 goals in the capital of Spain, Deportivo used the relegation of Atlético to take Valerón to Galicia.
Valerón is a serious and disciplined player, and it is said that he even has to force himself to laugh when told a joke. If there is criticism of the playmaker, it is that the blood which courses through his veins is, at best, tepid. If he were more passionate in his game, Irureta says, the player from the Canary Islands could rule the world.
Nevertheless, Valerón is highly rated in the world of football. He is a creative, technically skilled player who provides the attackers with great passes. He is the source of many of Deportivo's attacks and most opponents only can stop him by fouling him. He has adapted well at Deportivo although it took him some time to accept a major role. Only in the second part of his second season at Deportivo (2001/2002) did he start to shine, but by mid-2004 he already has played 124 Liga matches for the club and scored 12 goals.
Valerón made his debut in the Spanish team as a player of Atlético on 18 November 1998 against Italy. He then went on to represent his country at the Euro 2000 and 2004 tournaments and the World Cup 2002 and scored two goals during these tournaments. After entering the pitch twice during the recent tournament in Portugal, Valerón has 41 caps and 5 goals to his name.
Deportivo could see at least four years more of the 28-year-old's skills. He rarely gets injured, though the brutal attack of Valladolid defender Peña in 2002 sidelined him for several months. Deportivo looked lost without him and wasted too many points. Let's hope it won't happen again.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
