Spanish defender Pol Valentin completed a move to Hillsborough after Sheffield Wednesday agreed an undisclosed fee with
his previous club Sporting Gijon
Sheffield Wednesday completed their fourth summer signing late on Thursday night when Pol Valentin arrived at the club.
The 26-year-old moves from Spanish second tier side Sporting Gijon for an undisclosed fee.
Primarily a right-back, Valentin will add competition to the club’s defensive ranks. He follows the signing of fellow defensive
pair Reece James and Juan Delgado along with the loan arrival of forward Ashley Fletcher.
But what can Wednesdayites expect from Valentin? Given he has spent his entire career to date in his homeland, we thought
it was best to get some insight into him from a regular watcher of Spanish football. Alex Fitzpatrick is a Spanish-based
reporter and journalist who specialises in the Segunda division.
Speaking to Yorkshire Live he gave an intriguing assessment of Valentin, saying: “I saw this signing and thought it was a
bit of a random one to be honest.
Read more: Xisco Munoz issues passionate plea to Wednesday supporters amid transfer hunt
“Valentin is a pretty solid, hard-working right-back at Spanish second division level, not spectacular in any respect. He can
play wing-back and maybe even on the right side of midfield, so he is flexible between systems. The Spanish second division
is probably a little below the level of the Championship, comparatively I’d say.
“I wouldn’t even suggest that he’s that experienced for his age. He has not even reached 100 games at the Segunda level. He was probably first choice I’d say last season but in a team where they rotated a lot so he only played 22 out of the 42 league games.
“In fact he’s missed a fair few games in every season he’s played at Segunda level either through injury or selection decisions by the coach. It will be very interesting to see how his level translates to the Championship.
“The bizarre thing is that he only played one game under the manager (Xisco Munoz) so it’s not like he was a stand-out player who he is bringing along for the ride. As I say, he is a solid player but all in all it’s a bit of a puzzling one!”
Valentin could make a quickfire Wednesday debut against Luton on Saturday in the Owls’ final friendly of pre-season.
READ MORE:
Sheffield Wednesday chief Xisco Munoz issues passionate plea to supporters amid transfer hunt
Sheffield Wednesday begin their Championship campaign a week today when they welcome Southampton to Hillsborough in the first match of the English Football League season
Boss Xisco Munoz insists Sheffield Wednesday will need the supporters more than ever before to achieve success in the
Championship this season. The Owls open their campaign at home to Southampton a week today.
It has been a whirlwind start to life at Hillsborough for Munoz. The Spaniard took over from Darren Moore just after the
players’ reported back in for pre-season training. Munoz has had to quickly adapt to his new surroundings and assess the
squad he inherited from Moore. Wednesday have so far brought in three new recruits since Munoz’s arrival, capturing Chile
international defender Juan Delgado from Portuguese club Pacos de Ferreira, striker Ashley Fletcher on loan from
Championship rivals Watford and defender Pol Valentin from Sporting Gijon.
As well as their slow progress in the transfer market, the Owls’ performances in the pre-season friendlies have also left a lot
to be desired. Munoz has made it crystal clear he is looking to bring in more new faces before the window shuts on September 1.
Read more: Sheffield Wednesday man Callum Paterson looks to the future after Hearts near-miss
He told the media: “The fans need to understand the situation and where we are. Right now everybody is on our side and
this is a good thing. They need to understand that we are working hard to try and be good in the situation. If you ask me ‘Can
we reduce the process?’ We will try and this is the idea.
“But everybody needs to try to help us. I need them more now. I think the club needs its fans to understand the process in
the three or four weeks that is coming. When the market is closed we will see what will happen.
“But when a player arrives, they are thinking about everything, I need to understand what we have, I need to understand
exactly how I can improve them. Sometimes it is better than having something for tomorrow. It’s not easy. One of the things
I will try to give is better things, I prefer time.
“The season is long. I think maybe if we have a problem in these days, the next two, three, four weeks. But after the team will
be better.
“What I can say is that now I need all the fans to help us in this situation. If they push us and go against the situation, also I have respect, I can say nothing, but now I need maximum, everybody together and everybody going the same way.
“After this we will try to build one team, in a short, medium or large time.”
Munoz went on to thank the fans for the backing they gave the team during their warm-weather training camp in Spain last
week. “Even in Spain, all of the games, they followed us,” he said.
“We gave them nothing, in this moment on the pitch, we have given them nothing. Always they give us support. Always I feel
them behind us and this is very nice. It is a good experience.
“It is this experience I need. Positivity on our backs, understanding that there are some young players playing. This is the
situation. Now we need to start building this connection with the fans.
“It is now that we need more [from the fans]. When you win and win and win, no. Now is when we need more, that is what I
will say. After, when we finish the season, then we can speak about it.
“Netflix blew everything because they give you it now, then watch tomorrow and tomorrow! It’s instant.
“I want it to improve instantly, we all do. But we need everybody going forward in this moment. I ask the fans, ‘Please help
us.’ I will try to give in the future, but I think if they help us, with everybody at the club together, it makes things more
simple to try to change the situation in a shorter time.”
Wednesday conclude their pre-season schedule with a home clash against Premier League new boys Luton Town tomorrow
afternoon.
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