Cracks and fissures

Espanyol are in crisis. Held goalless in the last 3 matches, and they really haven’t scored since the 11th minute of the March 16th match at home against Mallorca. That’s 349 minutes shooting blanks for what was once one of the top attacks in the first division. They’ve secured only 9 out of a possible 39 points and actually they’ve only made 12 out of a possible 42 points in all of 2008.

It has seen them plummet to seventh, caught finally by Sevilla, only 2 points ahead of Bilbao and really if this free fall continues Espanyol are only 6 points clear of Valencia who are 14th in the table.

Remarkable actually if you’re a masochist like me, but considering the tear they were on before, that saw them secure 30 of their first 48 points, I’d say this is probably looking like one of the biggest collapses in memory. So what went wrong?

If you look at the schedule and the results, something clearly happened for New Years at the Estadi Olimpic. Since then, 4 wins and 10 losses, and no draws in the league other than 2 consecutive ones against Bilbao in January that knocked them out of the Copa del Rey.

Most would use the excuse of Tamudo breaking his arm in practice around that time keeping him out for 6 weeks and that messed with their form. I think the problem lies deeper and to really follow it, as usual, follow the money.

Around the time of Tamudo’s injury, contract negotiations started with Ernesto Valverde to extend his contract past June ‘09. A whiff of money got into the air. Kameni left the club for the Africa Cup of Nations and the club were left with little used Casilla and LaFuente in goal. With the European press in Ghana, Kameni’s agent starts making noises that Carlos may not be as happy as he lets on about staying at Espanyol. The contract talks start to unsettle secondary players like Coro and Jarque and also nudges the delicate balance of their star players as well.

The club are aware of the distractions. They have apparently stopped negotiating with their list of summer signings to get their house in order. Coro signed a long term deal joining I believe Garcia and Riera who’re also signed until 2012. Kameni’s leaving, his evaluation is around $10 million so it’s cheap for an Olympic gold medal winning keeper, but I think the rest are pretty much going to stay and earn their place considering the Estadi Nou Sarria will be opening next year.

Most importantly, there are rumblings that after being a hot commodity at the beginning of the term, Valverde is starting to get a lot of heat for not being able to control the freefall and might not be asked back. Looks like the club were expecting and planning some purchases with the European money next year?

As for the rest of the year? Osasuna, the derby match at the Camp Nou, Zaragoza, at Levante, before finishing up against Atletico, Villareal and Almeria. Some utter dregs but 3 tough matches in 5 weeks. We’ll see, but I’m not hopeful.

Category: Espanyol Team News

Tags: Espanyol Team News

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