After 18 months of struggle in the Premier League, West Ham United misfit Guido Rodriguez returned to La Liga in an attempt to rediscover his Real Betis brilliance with relegation-threatened Valencia.
A few weeks and four games later, as the Castellon press will tell you in the most glowing terms, the experienced Argentine international has made precisely the kind of impact Los Che were looking for.
West Ham, with Axel Disasi transforming their backline and Taty Csatellanos bringing a presence up top, are not the only club benefitting from some well-placed winter additions.
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‘It’s great that you came, Guido!’, write Cadena Cope, paying a grateful tribute to a signing which has sparked a sudden turnaround in Valencia’s season.
A 1-0 win over Osasuna last time out lifting the two-time Champions League finalists five points clear of the dreaded relegation zone.
Guido Rodriguez has been ‘exceptional’ since leaving West Ham United for Valencia
Former Real Betis teammate Martin Montoya felt Valencia had signed ‘one of the best midfielders’ in La Liga when Guido Rodriguez left West Ham United on a free transfer during the January transfer window.
Winning two of their four league matches with him at the heart of their midfield, you won’t find many at the Mestalla disagreeing with Montoya’s assessment.
Rodriguez came off the bench to help shore up a 2-0 derby win at relegation rivals Levante a few weeks back. On only his second start in former West Brom and Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan’s XI, the World Cup winner rolled back the years to deliver a display reminiscent of the days when Barcelona were trying to sign the ex-West Ham misfit.
“The Argentinian midfielder was the star of the victory against CA Osasuna [a 1-0 win sealed by a penalty from Leeds loanee Largie Ramazani],” Cope write. “His latest performance confirms the improvement in a position that has lacked leadership in recent years at Valencia CF.”
Due to a series of high-profile sales and the cost-cutting measures put in place by a deeply-unpopular owner in Peter Lim, this was a Valencia squad crying out for some experience. Rodriguez, at 31 and closing in on 150 La Liga appearances, has immediately taken on a leadership role off the field but, most importantly, on it too.
Cadena Cope point out that, while Rodriguez won the most duels and completed the most ball recoveries of any player against Osasuna, he also covered the most distance. Considering that the main concern during his time in England was Rodriguez’s inability to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, this may be one in the eye for those who questioned his athleticism and mobility.
Though, of course, the stately speed of Spanish football helps.
“Guido is a great footballer,” say Las Provincias.
“The Argentine midfielder is certainly living up to the history of Mestalla and his presence improves everyone, especially Javi Guerra.”
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Guerra, the barnstorming, box-to-box dynamo to Guido’s string-pulling, ball-winning controller.
“Mestalla has always been home to exceptional footballers, so sorely lacking in recent times. Hence the joy of seeing Guido Rodríguez on the pitch,” La Provincias adds.
“The Argentine midfielder knows exactly what to do at every moment. He brings consistency and purpose to everything. He improves his teammates; just ask Javi Guerra!”
Speaking ahead Wednesday’s clash at Craven Cottage, Fulham boss Marco Silva highlighted the impact of Axel Disasi and Taty Castellanos on West Ham’s survival prospects. His side are facing a ‘completely different’ team from the one they beat at the London Stadium in late-December.
Disasi has been a powerhouse at the back – that own goal against Liverpool aside – while Castellanos is already a fan favourite, even if there are still question marks around his end product.
Should Disasi and Taty keep West Ham heads above water, and should Guido Rodriguez continue to marshal Valencia away from danger, there should be no one questioning the usefulness of the January window.
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