Can David Albelda Still Make Euro 2008?

When Ronald Koeman began the craziness at Valencia and told Santiago Canizares, David Albelda and Miguel Angulo that they wouldn’t be playing any more football in 2007/8, the three players understandably dropped off of Luis Aragones Euro 2008 squad map.

But now Koeman is gone and Voro is in charge at the Mestella. And one the new man’s first act was to welcome the trio back into the Valencia team, which in turn allowed Aragones to re-open the door (ever so slightly) to the Spanish national team.

“It all depends on how they play from now on,” Aragones told Marca.

“The players will pick themselves, it’s down to them, they have to be in good shape, tactically, physically and mentally.

“I just hope Valencia begins to do well as they have three great players in their team.”

The smart money probably isn’t on the three players returning, simply because with just five games to go, it’s hard to see them finding form in time. Canizares and Angulo in particular won’t make Aagones’ first eleven even if they’d played, and played well, all season. There’s just too much talent in front of them.

But from what I understand, David Albelda could be useful. I recently heard Sid Lowe of the Guardian Football Weekly podcast describe Albelda as “the player [Spain are] lacking, which is basically a horrible, nasty, evil bastard in the middle of the midfield” (if you listen to the podcast it’s around the 22:15 mark.)

Of course it all depends on whether Albelda actually plays any part for Valencia this weekend against Osasuna. If he gets on the field, and looks like he still remembers how to play, then Luis Aragones will have some thinking to do.