Luis Antonio Valencia: The unheralded star

“Daylight robbery of the Saints” – the headline that made the most inspiring sports story of the last weekend’s premier league action. It was Sir Alex’s 1000th premier league game in charge, and the momentous achievement demanded a comprehensive Manchester United victory to commemorate the humongous milestone. United were expected to make light work of the recently promoted Saints, but Southampton weren’t in a festive mood, putting in an inspired and zealous performance. The United players had to dig deep to fight off the impertinent Saints and the last ditch heroics of Ferguson’s newest recruit, Van Persie, saved the day for the Red Devils.Post match, the pundits raved about the finishing ability of Van Persie and the timeless unfading genius of Scholes. However, amidst all this hoopla, the media remained oblivious to the contribution of a very important player.

It was his cross that set up Van Persie for the first goal. His clever overlap play with Rafael led to the second goal. He put up an industrious shift as always, and was a constant menace on the right-wing, peppering the penalty-box with numerous inviting crosses, and being the pivot for many an attack.

The press corps did not see much interest in him as he treaded back to the dressing-room. However, on his way back to the tunnel, he was greeted by the left-back of Southampton, Danny Fox. He had given Fox a torrid time and Fox had come up to acknowledge the same. This was the ultimate show of respect, something that is more valued than the bloviating extolment of the pundits. The player was voted the MUFC player of the year for 2011-12. Though he has earned the recognition and respect from his peers, he still gets the cold shoulder from the media barons. The player in question is Luis Antonio Valencia, a true star, not a paparazzi created one!

Valencia’s arrival to the Theatre of Dreams was met with much scepticism and unjustified agnosticism, with many doubting his big-match ability and temperament. Valencia in his time with Wigan and Ecuador had definitely shown plenty of promise, but playing for the Red Devils is a different thing all-together. The grandeur, the history, the legacy of the distinguished club is unparalleled. The hysteria that marks a crowd of over 70,000 fans singing slogans, chanting the names of the players, egging them on, and the expectations that come along with it is scary and many talented players have folded under such huge pressure. Valencia knew that he would be compared to some of the greatest players to have donned the United jersey, but the shy and quiet winger had his mind set on carving his own identity.

“He’s Cristiano Ronaldo, I’m Antonio Valencia. My way of playing is different. We don’t have anything in common. I’m just happy to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and the important thing is to be on the pitch.” – Antonio Valencia

Three years hence, Valencia stands tall, having proved his credentials and established himself as an Old Trafford fan favourite; commanding both fear and respect in the hearts of opponents.

Valencia doesn’t possess the expansive repertoire of step-overs or the atrocious trickery that Ronaldo made ever so popular in a United shirt, drawing “ooh’s” and “aah’s” from the crowd with his utter cheekiness and ability to bamboozle the best of defenses. Instead, he is known for his incessant and powerful driving runs down the touchline, and his ability to deliver the most telling crosses. He doesn’t cut inside to unleash the curling banana drives, but rather prefers to stay out wide and provide the much necessary width. A selfless player, he is a traditional winger who relies on his speed and strength to find that extra yard and whip crosses for his forwards to finish. Some may question his single-minded gameplay and brand him as one-dimensional, but Valencia knows that by cutting down on the razzle-dazzle, he can be of greater use to his team and hurt the opposition more.

He is a head-ache for defenders all over the world, who always feel threatened by his pace, strength and humbled by his indomitable desire to win. They don’t get out-smarted or tricked, but get humbled by being out-worked, out-muscled and out-run. And the worst part of it is that if Valencia isn’t playing his best, he isn’t going to sulk away and fade off, but work harder with an ever-resurgent spirit and work his way back into form. A telling tackle, or a hard foul isn’t going to deter him, and he will only come back stronger and even more determined.

Valencia, to date, has featured in a total of 74 games for United and scored 16 goals. However, it is his assists record that validates the claim of him being the most creative player in the league. In the last campaign, Valencia was bogged down by injuries and couldn’t feature in the whole campaign. But after his return in January, Valencia notched up 16 assists and was second only to David Silva of Manchester City, who had 23 assists. However, Silva played a total of 2,333 minutes, much more than Valencia’s humble 1,573 minutes and thus the assists stats show a greater significance.

Valencia averages an astonishing pass conversion rate of 85.7%. To put that stat of pass conversion rate into perspective, one must realize that a high percentage of all his passes are crosses into the box, and the high pass conversion percentage reiterates his ability to find teammates in scoring positions.

However, Valencia’s greatest virtue lies in his work ethic and commitment to fulfilling his role to the best of his abilities. The modern-day creative play-makers are often found to be too languid to adhere to their defensive responsibilities. Valencia on the other hand prides himself on his defense, being forever ready to close down the opposing full-back and press the opposition mid-field players. His ability to defend is an added luxury for Sir Alex, who has frequently used Valencia as a defensive cover in the right-back position.

Valencia is an ideal professional and his loyalty towards United can hardly be questioned. His belief in the club and the manager led him to fire his agent, and re-instate his desire to finish his career at United. In this day and age where an 18-year old novice (Paul Pogba) can question the vision, sagacity and judgment of someone as seasoned and masterful as Sir Alex, the belief and commitment of Valencia is a refreshing aberration.

If there is any part of his game that Valencia needs to improve, it is his scoring ability. He has a powerful shot, as proved by his brilliant drive against Blackburn that drew comparisons to the great Roberto Carlos. However, in 3 games so far, Valencia has only taken one shot on goal. Valencia needs to be more selfish and explore his abilities as a goal-scorer.

The new season beckoned the start of a new era for United. The impressive performances of Kagawa and Van Persie have certainly justified the manager’s vision. While these two players set about creating a legacy for themselves, they would be counting on Valencia to help them script their success stories and lift them to footballing immortality.

And expect Valencia to oblige. As he sets off on another one of his marauding runs down the right flank, Rooney and co. would be hustling their way into the box, knowing that they can trust Valencia to find them with a quality ball.

And when a goal does happen from his cross, the shy and reserved winger would silently make his way to the huddle where his team-mates would be busy celebrating the goal. The whole stadium would be in a blur of red, consecrating an euphoric emotion and rapturous applause that would echo in the rafters much after the match is over. Amidst all this animated celebration, the shy winger would be sporting an ever-so-rare soothing smile; satisfied on being able to vindicate the trust and belief of his manager, standing tall to the demands and expectations of the fans.

He isn’t going to rip off his shirt to flash a T-shirt bearing some egotistical and narcissistic statement, or try to out-wit himself on social media sites. He refuses to be drawn into such shenanigans, choosing to be a clear-cut football player, and let his performances on the football pitch do the talking.

An idol for many a budding football players in South America, he is a man who can fill in many roles and don many a hat. One can only hope he finds his much-deserved crown. A victor, a champion who is sure to match the glory and spangle decorating the much celebrated no-7 jersey. The shirt might have seen some transcendent superstars in George Best, Bryan Robson, and Cantona. However, the shirt will never have a more honest and altruistic bearer. The media might still doubt him, but it is only going to fuel his desire to work harder and to justify himself as the ideal heirloom to the enigmatic no-7 jersey. Maybe not a blue-blooded star, but nonetheless a true Red Devil.