Pako Ayestaran has confirmed that Paco Alcacer and Shkodran Mustafi are available for Valencia’s opening-day visit of Las Palmas in La Liga.
Alcacer and Mustafi have been heavily linked with Barcelona and Arsenal in recent weeks but have yet to complete their respective moves away and Ayestaran made it clear he was still counting on the pair, the striker in particular “more focused than ever and training better than ever”.
“If we’re able to maintain how we work, we’ll have fun. That’s our goal,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“During preseason, we’ve assimilated processes that will allow us to compete and keep doing so. We’ll entertain and do well.
“[Paco Alcacer] isn’t distracted. He’s more focused than ever and training better than ever. He has to improve as a player.
“Any Coach can think that he could have a better squad. I’m happy with our performances and convinced we’ll compete well.
“We had doubts and a lack of confidence against Las Palmas last season, we played 4-4-2 and the team didn’t dare to do things. Now it’s different and we’ll be bold.
“[Mustafi] has worked [well] and is one more [option]. If he’s in the squad then he can play.
“We have three great goalkeepers. It’s hard for them all to be at the club and the market will tell us whether or not it’s possible. We have all three [at our disposal].”
