With the 2018-19 La Liga season over, Valencia CF now can look back over the campaign with satisfaction after pipping Getafe to the post and securing a successive top four domestic finish.
However the close call with missing out on the Champions League caused speculation over the future of boss Marcelino Toral, and the former Villarreal manager will be mindful of the need for a strong start to 2019-20.
Los Che struggled for consistency last season, a factor not helped by injuries and Marcelino’s tinkering with his starting XI – with only three outfield players making over 30 La Liga starts.
One of the main areas for concern has been a lack of goals from both attack and midfield, in comparison to their performance in the 2017-18 campaign.
2018-19 saw no one score more than eight La Liga goals, whereas in 2017-18, Santiago Mina, Rodrigo Moreno and Simone Zaza scored 12,16 and 13 respectively.
Zaza returned to parent club Juventus before the start of the season, and was subsequently sold on to city rivals Torino, and Mina and Rodrigo have struggled to recapture their form.
Marcelino is looking at reshuffling his forward options this summer and after reportedly ending interest in previous loanee Michy Batshuayi and Atletico Madrid’s Gelson Martins, he could know look for Monaco’s Falcao.
The Colombian international is certain to leave the Ligue 1 side if their season ends in disaster and they are relegated, but he could be on his way even if they survive.
The issue for Marcelino is both Falcao’s age and salary, with the Valencia board likely to take some convincing on signing a player that will turn 34 in the 2019-20 season.
However, Marcelino is reported to be confident that a fit and motivated Falcao can provide goals and much needed guidance to Rodrigo, who looked to have lost his way at times last season.
‘El Tigre’ has generally been a very consistent goal scorer and La Liga saw he best of him during his time with Diego Simeone’s Atletico – scoring 52 league goals in two seasons between 2011 and 2013.
His time in France has been mixed, including disastrous loan spells at Manchester United and Chelsea, but with just a year left at the Stade Louis II, Monaco may be happy to remove a big wage and rebuild after a nightmare season.
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