Tuesday 22nd July 2008
Joaquin will "start from scratch"
Valencia forward Joaquin Sanchez will "start from scratch" as he looks to make next season his best yet.
Last season was a disaster for many at the Mestalla, with the entire team failing to perform and finishing a disappointing tenth.
On a personal level, Joaquin also missed out on a place in the Euro 2008 winning Spain squad.
But the winger, who turned 27 on Monday, is looking to put last year behind him as he looks forward to a "very important" upcoming season.
Joaquin met with the new Valencia sporting director Xabier Azkargorta last week to sort out the player's responsibilities at the club.
The talk was positive for everyone involved, with a conclusion reached that will see Joaquin play a more important role in the Valencia team then he has for the past two seasons.
"It wasn't that I wanted them to treat me like the most important player, but I wanted to discuss things that have happened. I wanted to put an end to everything that was negative and that is what we did," he explained. "It was an important chat and it is possible that in the future there are more."
The Spaniard has also stated that the squad has recovered from the "suffering" they experienced last season under Dutchman Ronald Koeman, and said they are now looking to the future.
"That was the past, we have a different mentality now, we have turned the page over, and the important thing is to start new," he insisted.
Valencia are expected to bounce back next season, with things apparently looking bright after the first week of pre-season training under new coach Unai Emery.
Joaquin was quick to state that "things look positive" and that everyone is "very happy, with lots of motivation, and there is a great atmosphere".
espnstar.com
Join us on Facebook