Part 3/4 in our player personnel series. Previously featured were the goalkeepers and midfielders. I’m labeling Fuster as a striker and Montero a midfielder based on the preseason, but that designation is subject to change.

Likely starters:

Giuseppe Rossi: Il Bambino has achieved a lot at the tender age of 23. The object of many American fans’ ire (not mine), he was left out of the Italian World Cup squad due to a Serie A-only selection policy. Silly, but it’s just a blip on the radar. With 13, 15, and 17 goals in his 3 seasons at Villarreal, Rossi will shoot for 20 in 2010-11. A versatile player with the ability to both run at defenders and play with his back to them.

Nilmar: A disappointing World Cup (for player and country) did not tarnish a successful return to European football. The canarinha led Villarreal with 11 goals in La Liga, though he scored just once in 11 appearances in the Copa del Rey and Europa League. A slow start was not surprising, considering the acclimatization period; Nilmar really took off as a winger in the 4-3-3. He paired well up front with Rossi, but the other strikers may not be a natural fit.

Likely bench players:

David Fuster: He was a revelation in 2009, not to mention that he ruined Barcelona’s perfect season at home. But with Valverde’s departure and the shift to a 4-3-3, his playing time diminished. He slots in well as a support striker behind Rossi, but no other role has worked. I’d like to see a diamond midfield formation with Fuster behind Rossi and Nilmar, but the local boy from Oliva has only featured as a striker in the preseason. A big season for his future.

Jozy Altidore: Will he stay? If so, how much will he play? Anywhere from a starter in the Copa del Rey and Europa League to a spot in Garrido’s doghouse is possible. I think he and Nilmar could work well, but that partnership will take time to develop. Talent and skill, yes. But is he committed to making things work in Villarreal? Time will tell. If not, he might be off to Turkey, Holland, or England in the winter transfer window.

Marco Ruben: The Argentine was too good for the Segunda, scoring 17 times in 31 appearances. This eye-popping success made him the object of EPL side Wigan Athletic’s desire, but a deal fell through at the last minute. At age 23, it’s time for Ruben to get a real shot with Villarreal. A poacher who relies on positioning and timing, he seems perfect as a late-game substitute (forward to 3:45). He is in line for a bigger role if Nilmar or Rossi leaves after this season.

I will throw a hat tip to Kenez, although I did stumble upon this before seeing his comment!

I love the “old people” comment.

A few things have been popping around lately, and a couple of them fall on the Sickening Scale right up there with the Godin to Atletico rumors.

As capercat pointed out, Jozy could be on his way to Ajax. Apparently they have made an offer to take him on loan for the year, but Villarreal have determined that his future is not with the club and want an offer to purchase. It has been an up and down ride for him with the Yellow Submarine. I hope for his sake that this gets worked out one way or another.

Santi Cazorla has also been linked to Atletico Madrid. Stop it. Seriously, just stop it. These moves should never, ever happen. And I don’t think that the Cazorla thing has much of a chance. But even if we need the money, you can’t tell me that the club couldn’t find at least a similar offer for the likes of Godin or Cazorla elsewhere, where it won’t give firepower to the likes of Atletico. And, just to refresh my recollection, didn’t Cazorla turn down a move to Real Madrid recently?

There are also rumors out there that Barcelona could be looking the way of Bruno, as a couple of bigger-name defensive midfielders, such as Javier Mascherano, have become too expensive. This is the first rumor I have ever seen (I think) for pulling Bruno away from the club. I would be shocked if an offer came in. But if it did and the price offered was 10m euros, I would be even more shocked if both Villarreal and Bruno didn’t jump at it.

And lastly, the Rossi-to-Italy rumors continue, with Inter being the club mentioned this time. The idea is that he would be called in to replace Mario Balotelli. I do not know if the rumor is based in any sort of fact, but I would think that Rossi could not turn down an offer from Inter. Hopefully he’ll stay, but we will see.

A lot of this has been mentioned in the previous comments – thanks to everyone for keeping up with things for us here – but Villarreal have gone out and seem to be making a few waves in the transfer market, following the big signing of Borja Valero.

First, Villarreal have signed Facundo Coria from Velez Sársfield, who will spend a year in the B team. The club paid 800,000 euros for 50% of his economic rights, and signed him on a five-year deal. Coria is Argentinian, and just turned 23(5/28/1987). This past year he played for Argentinos Juniors on loan from Vélez Sársfield, scoring four goals in 32 appearances. He has been playing at the top level in Argentina for three years now, and should be ready to make the transition to the A team after a year of adjustment to Spanish football.

Thanks to Kenez for the update, Villarreal have now completed seven signings for the B team. These include: Marcos Luis Perez, Joan Truyols, Airam Cabrera, Hector Sanchez, Castellani, and Dervite (French defender from Tottenham, signed on a 3-year deal, I believe).

Villarreal are also reputed to be going after a couple of players from Sao Paulo, Hernanes and Joao Miranda. I know next to nothing about them, other than the fact that Miranda is a center-back, and Hernanes is a midfielder. Anybody with more information, please chime in.

In psuedo-transfer news, Giuseppe Rossi has apparently come to training full of energy and with big plans for the season. He has made a lot of statements suggesting that he is ready to stick out another year on the Spanish coast, and wants to score at least 17 goals for the club this year (you can listen to an interview with Rossi through this link). He is happy with the Valero signing, recognizing his importance to Mallorca. He also said that he hopes Altidore sticks with the club, and indicated that Altidore would be happy to do so.

Finally, in news of players leaving, Ariel Ibagaza has signed with Olympiacos. We all knew he wasn’t sticking around Vila-real, but he was a great player while he was here, and we wish him well.

Two matchdays to catch up on quickly. Teams advancing to the last 16 in bold.

Slovakia 3-2 Italy; Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand: The holders are out (Giuseppe Rossi is secretly pleased), and sadly so are the Kiwis. Fantastic return to the World Cup by the All Whites. Paraguay was the class of this group and proved it, barely.

Denmark 1-3 Japan; Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands: Holland continues its recent dominant form, albeit in a very weak group. Keisuke Honda is the only reason Japan is in the last 16, while Cameroon is the early choice for most disappointing team. Only North Korea joined them on 0 points.

Portugal 0-0 Brazil; North Korea 0-3 Cote d’Ivoire: Not much football in either match, though Nilmar did hit the post and played all 90 minutes. This group’s finish sets up a pair of mouth-watering last 16 ties.

Chile 1-2 Spain; Switzerland 0-0 Honduras: After being knocked out of Germany 2006 without conceding a goal, the Swiss do the same in South Africa when playing with 11 men. Better than scoring against Honduras and missing out with 6 points, I guess. The ending of Chile-Spain was anti-football at its finest.

Now the real tournament begins. 2 matches on this Saturday:

Uruguay 2-1 South Korea: All 5 South American teams have qualified for the knockout rounds, a first. Uruguay must like its draw to the “medal round,” though Diego Godin insists his side has achieved nothing yet. Godin again may miss out due to a knock, but look for Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez to fire the Charruas through.

USA 1-2 Ghana (a.e.t.): Full disclosure– I live in the USA and have been a national team supporter for years. I wasn’t sure how far this side could make it without Charlie Davies and with an injured Oguchi Onyewu, but look at the draw. Brazil or Holland in the semifinals, sure, but Ghana and then Uruguay or South Korea isn’t so imposing. Of course, every side in this quadrant is telling itself the same thing.

Ghana now is a solid defensive side, a facet it lacked when it beat the USA in Germany 2006. But without Appiah and Essien, goals have been much harder to come by– only 1 from the run of play in the group stage. Africa will be behind its last hope, but if the USA plays up to its potential, I think this country will be soccer-crazed for another week.

Villarreal news: The teams of Altidore, Capdevila, Godin, and Nilmar all have advanced to the last 16. Still looking for the club’s first World Cup goal. And the club has arranged a friendly in London against Tottenham in late July.

Ssome Villarreal news: According to the always-reliable (that should be obvious sarcasm…) tribalfootball.com, Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar have “agreed to stay” with Villarreal for another year. Now, obviously that would be great (assuming we could afford their salaries), but I have no idea how it just so happened that they have both decided this, and it just so happens to be reported in one “article”, considering the fact that Giuseppe is enjoying a summer off, and Nilmar is a bit busy down in South Africa. Nevertheless, I would be remiss not to at least mention it.

As for former Villarreal players, in a shocking move, Juan Roman Riquelme is apparently going to sign for West Ham United. Talk about news that makes basically no sense. Riquelme, one of the neediest and choosiest players you will ever meet, hates to be away from his family, and has never shown any real desire to play in England that I know of, seems an odd fit for the Hammers. But hey, who knows, maybe it could work for him.

Villarreal watch: Nilmar made a 12-minute cameo in the selecao’s 2-1 win over North Korea. Kaka (whom he replaced), Luis Fabiano, and Robinho were Dunga’s preferred triumvirate up front.

As for the World Cup: Tomorrow should be a sparkling day in South Africa, with some teams sporting offensive firepower getting started. It is also the beginning of the second round of the Group Stage.

As a disclaimer, Group E is my least favorite of the 8. Holland is going to win it, and it makes no difference who comes in second, as they have no chance of advancing past the Group F winner in the round of 16.

Netherlands 2-0 Denmark: I know I’m posting this after the match has ended, but we all knew what the outcome would be. No opening match shock for a darkhorse to win it all.

Japan 1-0 Cameroon: Could be interesting, but who cares. The lone point of intrigue for me is how Samuel Eto’o interacts with his teammates after threatening to walk out on them.

Italy 1-1 Paraguay: Finally a real match. I expect big things of the Paraguayans in South Africa, even though they left out Hernan Perez (I’m joking). Can the isolationist Italians (no Rossi due to a Serie A only policy) reach anywhere near the heights of Germany 2006? For the sake of football, let’s hope not.

And finally, a quick highlight from Numancia 1-0 Villarreal B:

Juan Carlos Garrido, having secured at least one more year at the helm of Villarreal, has announced that he will be pulling nine players up into the first team for Villarreal. This will reshape the face of the club, and could write our future for many years to come.

Goalkeeper: Juan Carlos;
Defenders: Mario, Joan Oriol, Catalá and Musacchio;
Midfielders: Matilla and Cristobal;
Strikers: Marco Ruben and Jefferson Montero.

That is most of a team right there. Throw in a few seasoned veterans, including the likes of Capdevila, Gonzalo, Cazorla, Cani, and Llorente, and the club should be in good shape. A lot more to come on the new additions as we head into the summer.

And in related news, José Manuel Catalá has signed a three year renewal with the first team, so his call-up should be permanent. He will be a long-term replacement for Capdevila.

Villarreal is not wholly out of Europe just yet. Mallorca’s money troubles are still chasing them, and they could yet be denied European competition in the fall if they fall into bankruptcy, as UEFA has the right to cancel their license. That would open up the position for Villarreal coming in from seventh. Not that we would have really deserved it, but I’ll take it!

Former Villarreal hard man Guillermo Franco is moving on from West Ham after helping them avoid relegation this past term. He made 23 appearances, scoring 5 goals, which is his best year in a while. I hope he is rewarded with a quality contract either somewhere he will enjoy in Europe, or back in Mexico. He has the opportunity this summer with the national side to improve his worth even more.

A couple of interesting rumors have been in this press. And these are mentioned not because they will actually happen, but they are still fun to think about.

- Villarreal’s star Giuseppe Rossi is in the headlights of Liverpool. First of all, I really don’t like Liverpool. But seriously – can you imagine putting him and Fernando Torres together? That would be a pretty amazing duo.

- And the second part of the rumor is that Liverpool would offer Albert Riera in return. This is of course highly unlikely, as Villarreal need money, and do not want to take on high salaries such as Riera would demand.

- Villarreal have been linked to Barcelona’s Rafa Marquez. a) Why would we want him anyway? b) Again, no chance of us taking on that kind of salary.

Gonzalo and Marcos Senna both strained hamstrings against Getafe. In good news for Villarreal, Gonzalo is moving quickly towards recovery, and could be available for this weekend’s match in Santander.

Marcos Senna, unfortunately, is recovering more slowly. Although there still is some possibility that he could be ready to go this weekend, it is much less likely.

Also, Musacchio broke a finger, presumably in the last match, but I am not sure. This shouldn’t prevent him from playing if Gonzalo is able to go. He has been training normally with the first team.

In other news if you are interested, Garrido was fined 600 euros in conjunction with his sending off against Atletico Madrid. If you haven’t seen the video of his reaction to the five minutes of stoppage time that were allowed which led to his sending, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

Also, the other day I mentioned that Rossi was linked to Napoli. Well, as usually is the case, his agent said that this was not the case, and that a move there was highly unlikely.

I ran out of time to put up a preview, but Villarreal is on a quick turnaround to the Madrid region to face the dangerous Getafe. The match is at 4 pm Eastern time and can be seen on ESPN3.com/ESPN360 or ESPN Deportes.

The squad:

Keepers: Diego López and Xavi Oliva.
Defenders: Ángel, Javi Venta, Gonzalo, Mateo Musacchio, Godin and Capdevila.
Midfielders: Marcos Senna, Bruno, Cani, Pires, Ibagaza, David Fuster and Santi Cazorla.
Forwards: Nilmar, Llorente and Rossi.

We have a full squad for the match, so Garrido can be expected to continue with his 4-3-3 lineup.

ENDAVANT!

Also, on a side note, Giuseppe Rossi has been heavily linked to Napoli over the last couple of days.