Morientes

[jimmylibel]

Valencia have finally completed the much-anticipated capture of Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes.

 

The move was due to go through at the end of May only for unexpected delays to hold the switch up.

 

However, the signing of the Spanish international was officially announced on Wednesday after the front man passed a medical and penned a three-year deal with the Liga club.

 

The return to Spain puts an end to a dismal one-and-a-half seasons in The Premiership for Morientes.

 

After arriving at Anfield with much promise, the 30-year-old never really got going in England, scoring only 12 goals in 61 appearances.

 

Morientes is hoping his return to Spain will revive his career as he bids to form a strong partnership with Che star David Villa next season.

 

"I am happy to start a new chapter in my career with this club and in this city," he told the club's official website.

 

"I've been very lucky at every club I have played for, and my hope is to achieve a title here for the club and for the fans."

 

Link

 

Wonder what the unexpected delays were?

[DonRafa]

  jimmylibel said:

Valencia have finally completed the much-anticipated capture of Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes.

 

The move was due to go through at the end of May only for unexpected delays to hold the switch up.

 

However, the signing of the Spanish international was officially announced on Wednesday after the front man passed a medical and penned a three-year deal with the Liga club.

 

The return to Spain puts an end to a dismal one-and-a-half seasons in The Premiership for Morientes.

 

After arriving at Anfield with much promise, the 30-year-old never really got going in England, scoring only 12 goals in 61 appearances.

 

Morientes is hoping his return to Spain will revive his career as he bids to form a strong partnership with Che star David Villa next season.

 

"I am happy to start a new chapter in my career with this club and in this city," he told the club's official website.

 

"I've been very lucky at every club I have played for, and my hope is to achieve a title here for the club and for the fans."

 

Link

 

Wonder what the unexpected delays were?

 

 

 

Probably his wife wanted to stay - after all, how can Valencia compete against the fair city of Liverpool? Completely unfair contest, innit?

[vish]

what a great day all round

Edited July 5, 2006 by Vish

[McBain]

Valencia probably just didn't fancy paying him till now

[Rimbeux]

Contracts and the 1st of July I'd imagine

[kacangpool]

Also hopes this further improves relations between Valencia and Rafa so we can deal with them in future without them being tw*nts.

[vish]

  kacangpool said:

Also hopes this further improves relations between Valencia and Rafa so we can deal with them in future without them being tw*nts.

 

like they were when we bought Momo?

 

[kacangpool]

  Vish said:

like they were when we bought Momo?

 

 

They were already going to sell him to the bitters. But yeah I was surprised that they still dealt with us and didn't scuttle the deal. Maybe Momo had something to do with it. Just don't want another club f*cking with us is all.

[jimmylibel]

  Rimbeux said:

Contracts and the 1st of July I'd imagine

 

I'm not so sure - the wording is a bit strange in that regard.

[LFCJari37]

Guardian is reporting a fee of £4.4m! Not bad considering.

[Maldini]

I'd say we had to pay off a chunk of his wages

[_00_deathscar]

  Les Howard said:

I'll really miss him.

 

The way he showed some class touches and his ability to link play up with midfield was superb........

 

I miss the hours and hours of fun had on this forum being told how wonderful Morientes was, (and how little I knew) when all along I knew he was deceptively slow and about as much use as a one-legged man in an a*** kicking contest.

 

The further away from here the better for Morientes is what I say.

 

All those who defended him - telling myself (and others!) that he was a class player and would 'come good', I have a message for you :

I remember who you are !!!!!

 

 

Congratulations on your life's greatest achievement there.

 

Well done.

[Guest Les Howard]

  _00_deathscar said:

Congratulations on your life's greatest achievement there.

 

Well done.

 

Seriously though - the disparity between the way people viewed him was amazing. For some he was utter garbage and yet others were drooling over the odd touch here and the odd bit of link up play there......

I guess people were basing their thoughts on his reputation - which I grant you was very good. But he never showed anything like that kind of form for us.

[vish]

  Les Howard said:

Seriously though - the disparity between the way people viewed him was amazing. For some he was utter garbage and yet others were drooling over the odd touch here and the odd bit of link up play there......

I guess people were basing their thoughts on his reputation - which I grant you was very good. But he never showed anything like that kind of form for us.

 

He was almost as bad as Diao in my opinion. And it's OK to slate him.

[Hodgson for Chelsea]

  Maldini said:

I'd say we had to pay off a chunk of his wages

 

Apparently he was waiting for a pay off before he left. If that's true it's a disgrace as he never justified his wages at any time he was here.

 

Glad he's gone. Rubbish.

[jimmylibel]

Fernando Morientes has said that he would not have left Liverpool for any other club after completing his transfer to Valencia.

 

The former Real Madrid and Monaco striker admitted that it was a hard decision to leave Anfield, but believes that he has made the right choice.

 

"Leaving Liverpool is something that I thought about for a long time," he explained. "If it had not been Valencia then I would not have left."

 

One important factor was the fact that after playing for Monaco and Liverpool, Morientes is looking forward to not having the same learning curve in his home country.

 

"From my experience it is important to join a squad where you do not have to get to know everyone and learn a new language," he continued.

 

"I have played in England, I have played in France, but now I am returning to Spain with great desire because it is what I know and like the best."

 

After learning of Valencia's interest, Morientes was surprised at how fast the deal was done to take him back to La Liga despite late hitches that delayed the confirmation of his arrival.

 

"Everything happened very quickly," he explained. "Normally these things take more time and even more so in the summer, but it was one of the first offers I received and, after speaking to my family, I think I have made the right choice."

 

Despite not being superstitious, Morientes refused to speculate on how many goals he would score next season for his new team.

 

"I normally predict the number of goals that I will score, but I do not want to put a lot of responsibility on my shoulders now," he said.

 

"I come here with the dream of winning the league, but it is a difficult target because we are up against some great clubs, some of the biggest in Europe."

 

Link