BARCELONA READY FOR DIFFICULT SEASON

Victor Valdes has said that Barcelona will be ready for a difficult season ahead. The Spanish international stated that he is not concerned about what Real Madrid does in the transfer market this summer, and is focused only on his club.

“I do not want to talk about Real Madrid. I am only talking about Barcelona. We know that another tough and long season awaits us, but we will be up for it,” Valdes was quoted as saying by El Periodico de Catalunya.

“People know my philosophy. For me, football is all about having the ball and winning games. My personal task is not to concede goals.”

VALDES LOOKING FOR REAL MADRID

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has said that the prospect of facing Real Madrid excites him more than anything else, according to the Free Football Bet website.

The Spanish champions defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in the second-leg of their quarter-final tie in Ukraine on Tuesday evening to go through 6-1 on aggregate.

VALDES TO RETURN IN THREE WEEKS

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has said that goalkeeper Victor Valdes’s injury is not as serious as initially thought and he will be coming back soon. Guardiola has stated that the shot-stopper would not be out for six weeks as first thought.

Valdes, 29, missed Sunday’s 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao with a complaint in his left knee and, after initial reports suggested he would be out for six to eight weeks, the Spain international is now expected to return in three weeks.

“It looks like he (Valdes) will not be out for one or two months,” Guardiola said.

VALDES RULES OUT CESC MOVE TO MADRID

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has said that he can not imagine Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas joining Real Madrid. There’s been speculation in the press recently linking the Blancos with a sensational £50 million swoop for Fabregas but Valdes remains sceptical.

“I cannot imagine Cesc wearing the white shirt,” he said, according to ESPNsoccernet. “As you know, I believe his wish is to return home [to Barca], although that is not up to me.

“He knows our system perfectly and he would fit in well here.”

VALDES PRAISES GUARDIOLA

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has praised Pep Guardiola by saying that he has changed Barcelona completely. The Spanish goalkeeper was part of Rijkaard’s squad when the Blaugrana were conquering Spain and Europe and has been a vital presence between the sticks for Guardiola’s widely heralded team.

BARCA WIN WITHOUT VALDES

Barcelona managed to keep their incredible from going despite resting high profile players like Victor Valdes for the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. The Spanish La Liga table toppers were playing a traditional 4-3-3. Victor Valdes was rested so Jose Manuel Pinto took his position as the goal stopper for the Catalan club.

VALDES BREAKS RECORDS

Victor Valdes broke the records set by himself when playing against Espanyol. The Barcelona number 1 played a great part to help his side keep such a strong defensive record. He proved it when he made an extraordinary save during the first half of the Espanyol game when their striker Jose Maria Callejon was on target.

VALDES IMPRESSES IN THE WIN

Victor Valdes has impressed Pep Guardiola very much in the champions league win over Rubin Kazan. B-team players Fontas and Victor Vazquez scored the goals that will give the Catalans a huge morale boost and allow them to look to the future with optimism.

With the group leadership already assured, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola rested key players, giving a chance to several B-team players as well as reserve goalkeeper Pinto, who was preferred to first choice keeper Victor Valdes. Bojan Krkic was also given a run out.

VALDES CONSIDERED QUITTING

Barcelona Goalkeeper Victor Valdes has revealed that he once thought about quitting the game in the initial stages of his career. The Spanish international spoke to publication DT about his development at the Camp Nou and how he was forced to enter therapy in his teenage years.

He also spoke of the advice that has helped him progress his career, saying, “If you think positive, it’s always easier, to think of good things, and leave aside the negative aspects of your thoughts.