Valencia : Can a number really make a difference?

Luis Antonio Valencia, ever impressive in his first couple of seasons with the club. He proved himself to be one of the best wingers in the league, providing many assists, and chipping in with a goal here and there. At Wigan, he was a big fish in a small pond, and was easily their best player. He turned down a move to Real Madrid to sign for United in 2009, and it seemed that we had bagged ourselves quite a bargain at a fee believed to be around £16million.

Things seemed bright and rosy for Antonio, he was included in the 2009/10 Premier League Team Of The Year (his debut season for the club) and he was Players and Fans Player of the Season in 2011/12. Then on the 3rd July 2012, after Michael Owen’s departure from the side, it was announced Antonio Valencia would follow in the footsteps of such greats as; George Best, Brian Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo, by wearing the fabled number 7 shirt. A massive responsibility for anybody, but it felt like it was deserved. He was showing the sort of form, and giving the kind of performances, that held the importance of these greats. He was of a similar mould to Beckham, not a flair player, but someone that could contribute regularly on all fronts for his side, and showed that Sir Alex Ferguson, as did we all, expected big things

However, it was not to be 2012/13 proved to be a season to forget Valencia. He seemed to forget how to beat a man and hit the byline as of seasons previous, his final ball was lacking, crosses weren’t hitting the players he aimed for. 2012/13 represented his lowest number of goals since 07/08 for Wigan (not to imply by any means he was prolific beforehand) and assists numbered just 6, 10 less than the campaign previous. It wasn’t all doom and gloom, when asked to slot in at Right Back, Valencia performed admirably (his defensive abilities have never been a corridor of doubt). But when put back at his natural Right Midfield role, something was definitely amiss.

Now flash forward in time to the present day. Valencia has taken back his old number 25 shirt, somewhat alleviating the pressures of the legendary 7, as he only has to emulate himself rather than a daunting list of greats, he is now being looked at as more of a right midfielder (as the first few games of the season have been generally played in a 4-4-2, rather than a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 where he will have been looked at as more of an attacking winger). And looking at those first few games, the signs are encouraging. It would be wrong to say that it was the Valencia of old out there, but there are certainly glimpses. Then against Bayer Leverkusen, something wonderful seemed to happen. He has a renewed vigour about him. Finally the ability to beat his man and hit the byline had been remembered. He seemed able, once more, to pick out a United player with a cross. He played some lovely cross field passes, even pitched in with an assist (for Robin van Persie’s strike), and a goal of his own, an accomplished finish that reminded us that he can do it when he wants to.

So what exactly has changed? And can he keep building on these performances to relive his accomplishments of the 2011/12 season?

For one, his shirt number has changed. I keep eluding to it as I believe it is a key element in this rise. The pressure attached to it is huge, especially from the supporters, some of whom have seen all the greats don the top. The is a mantra surrounding it, and not surprising considering who has worn it, all players capable of changing games in a heartbeat. So to go from churning out displays as he did the season before, and having that expectancy, to then having the expectancy of the shirt must have been a huge psychological burden for Valencia to wear. In a summer where we were disappointing in the transfer market (and yes, I am about to say this), Valencia taking back the 25 could prove to be a breath of fresh air for the squad, and bring in a creative influence we have so missed.

Then there is his tactical role. He is far better suited as an out-and-out right midfielder, as opposed to a right-winger, as this is a role he has played for Wigan, and for his National side also. And before the tactical modernization at United, he was deployed in that area to devastating effect as has been previously discussed. This season could well see the return of Antonio Valencia of 2 seasons ago, and if he can continue where he left off against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday in the Derby vs City and beyond, then we could well be in for a season full of goals and glory.