Welcome to Celtic Alex Valle

Think it's hard to judge how things will pan out in this situation, there's so many factors beyond simply 'who's the better option'.

• Valle will need plenty minutes if we want to sign him permanently
  
• Barca might not even allow it regardless
  
• Taylor is a senior member of the squad and in the leadership group, so bombing him out could cause issues in the squad with regards confidence
  
• He's also still not signed a new deal so Rodgers would be well within his rights to drop him if that continues

Tricky situation all round. Don't think there is a right answer here, probably see us using both of them on a rotational basis is what I'd guess.

 

I think yesterday was his best display for us, he looked more aware of the system, where he should be on the ball, off the ball, when to go wide and come in. Great ball for the 2nd goal.

The longer he gets in the team the better I think he will get and that has shown already as he has come on I feel every time I see him.

I actually think the only things Taylor has over Valle is experience and there for integration with our system and senior football experience of the Scottish league.

 

Agree with the tricky bit - I like the kid and having him around is brilliant, but not knowing if there is even the slimmest of chances that he will stay, means that investment in him to the detriment of the position in the squad (ie lack of investment, encouragement, loyalty to Greg or someone else) seems a little shortsighted....

 

Shortsighted yes, but could also be seen as a risk worth taking if we manage to develop him well then sign on a permanent. Then it's worth the risk.

No way of knowing what will happen though, it's a gamble either way.

 

I'm a big fan of Taylor and want him to extend his contract. No idea if Taylor fancies a move elsewhere as there was a rumour floating about that his Mrs wants a move to the USA. Certainly seems plausible. The longer a new contract isn't signed, the more likely it looks that Taylor will be going, which would see us without a left back going into next summer's window.

I think we should persist with Valle as the starting left back at the moment. I think he's an upgrade on Taylor and has potential to develop.

Whether we can convince Valle and Barca to do a permanent deal is another story.

 

Alex Valle from 2016, 10 secs in to vid

 

Always remember Ntcham contributing a lot there too. Not sure any of our midfielders have had that sort of dynamic with our wingers since Rogic left. His link up play with Abada and Ralston Anges first season was a level above what we have now. O'Riley contributions were about as close as we've had since. Think we really miss that sort of interplay.

 

Nice write up in Sport on the exemplary way in which Celtic onboarded the Catalan loanee - medical insurance, car & flat all prepared within days of his arrival

 

Got a link mate?

 

Cannot be underestimated how important this kind of organization away from the field is in helping a player especially one form another country settle in.

 

https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/alex-valle-rompe-celtic-110703080

You'll probably want to google translate it.

 

Alex Valle 'breaks it' at Celtic
The Badalona full-back has landed on his feet at the historic Glasgow club; he arrived with an advanced level of English and his adaptation and performance have been perfect


It may have seemed like a somewhat controversial or even strange decision. Alex Valle opted to go on loan to Scotland to continue developing as a footballer. A league, the Scottish Premier League, which is minor and has little media attention, at least in Spain. But it was a decision that was considered by both the player and those around him. And we can say, two months later, that it was the right one.

Not only because he has the chance to play at least eight Champions League games, but because it is a historic, huge club with a very large structure. And with a coach, Brendan Rodgers, who was the main advocate of his signing and who firmly believes in a possession-based game.


Valle arrived late to Glasgow, with the season already underway. And with a team that was just getting going. That explains why it took him a while to get into Rodgers' starting eleven. But when he did, it was to stay. He has now made five starts (four in a row) and provided three assists. The first was a spectacular backheel in the style of Guti that was in all the highlights; the last, a great cross to Johnston against Motherwell that became the 0-2.

The truth is that, according to SPORT, the adaptation of the left-back is going like silk. In four days, as soon as he arrived, he had a car, an apartment and medical insurance . Celtic is an exemplary club in this regard. Alex arrived having already learned his lesson with the English and, in fact, he is not even taking classes in the Scottish capital. Against Atalanta he was the starter for the first time in his career in a Champions League match. He did so, moreover, with discomfort in his ankle. But he wanted to be there no matter what in a historic match for him.


Celtic's aim is to qualify for the round of 32 tie. In Bergamo, against Atalanta, Valle had a great game. Deep, accurate in his passes, choosing his runs well. Impenetrable in 1v1. We already reported in SPORT a few weeks ago that Flick asked Deco to keep the man from Badalona in the squad. But Alex wanted to play and accumulate minutes and Celtic offered him that. In addition, in pre-season he had been playing with Hansi at right back on the other foot.

 

Reqd it earlier and thought that these types of public commendations can go well for us on top of our already great platform for young players getting sold to bigger leagues.
Good to see that players get taken care of properly

 

Articles like that certainly won't harm our chances of securing young talent from big clubs even if only loans

 

Quality write up that! Makes you proud

 

https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/alex-valle-rompe-celtic-110703080

Daily Mail picked it up as well
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/alex-valle-celtic-spanish-media-34001740

 

And reality is that for many fans, this side of transfers/loans we never really hear much about even though it has always been a curiosity for me on how clubs manage this aspect. Anyone who has moved for work or residence knows it is always a challenge in many ways

Happy to read what I have about how Celtic handled it, very professional