ABU DHABI // Javier Aguirre, the Al Wahda coach, says he is in no hurry to get the club's marquee signing Jorge Valdivia into action straight away on his arrival at the Al Nahyan stadium on Friday.
The Chile international’s late arrival after being released from the Brazilian club Palmeiras on Monday means he will miss the club’s Arabian Gulf League opener against promoted Dibba.
“I have already spoken to him over the phone and discussed a few things so he knows what to we expect when he arrives,” Aguirre said.
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“He’s an important player and I want him to be 100 per cent before he starts playing. Hence I don’t want to rush him to play as we have enough good players to start the season.
“Valdivia was released by his club on Monday and he told me he had a few things to attend before flying out of Brazil. That’s a valid point but I wish he comes with good legs.”
Valdivia will link up with the capital club’s new Brazilian signing and former Arsenal midfielder Denilson and Sebastian Tagliabue, the Argentine forward who was retained from last season along with the Kuwaiti centre-back Hussain Fadhel.
Ismail Matar, the Wahda captain, said Valdivia’s arrival will have a big impact on the team during the season.
“I was looking forward to play with him, but yes that’s how it’s panned out to be for the moment,” he said.
“But when we eventually do, we want to help each other and strike a good partnership that can help the team to achieve good results.
“The coach has a lot of confidence on me and the rest of the team. We all know of Valdivia’s abilities, and he certainly has a huge role to play if we have to be successful.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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