Vicente Rodríguez

Vicente Rodríguez Guillén (Spanish pronunciation: [biˈθente roˈðɾiɣeθ ɣiˈʎen]; born 16 July 1981), known simply as Vicente, nicknamed El puñal de Benicalap (The dagger of Benicalap),[2] is a Spanish former footballer.

This article is about the Spanish football player. For the Spanish boxer, see Vicente Rodríguez (boxer). For the Cuban baseball player, see Vicente Rodríguez (baseball).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Guillén.

Vicente
Vicente as a Valencia player in 2010
Personal information
Full name Vicente Rodríguez Guillén[1]
Date of birth (1981-07-16) 16 July 1981[1]
Place of birth Valencia, Spain[1]
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
Benicalap
Levante
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2000 Levante 60 (9)
2000–2011 Valencia 243 (36)
2011–2013 Brighton & Hove Albion 29 (5)
Total 332 (50)
National team
1997–1998 Spain U16 11 (1)
1998–1999 Spain U17 15 (6)
1999–2000 Spain U18 7 (1)
2000–2001 Spain U21 11 (1)
2001–2005 Spain 38 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

A left winger with outstanding technique, pace and scoring ability, his professional career, blighted by constant injuries,[3][4][5][6][7][8] was mainly associated with Valencia with which he appeared in 340 competitive matches over 11 seasons, winning five major titles including two La Liga championships.

Vicente represented Spain during the first half of the 2000s, and played at Euro 2004.

Club career

Levante

A Valencia CF supporter since childhood, Valencia-born Vicente started his professional career in the community with Segunda División side Levante UD, making his professional debut on 23 November 1997 against CD Leganés aged only 16.

He immediately attracted attention of leading teams like Arsenal, Valencia CF and Real Madrid but, eventually, Valencia (and its sporting director Javier Subirats) convinced the youngster to sign for the club.

Valencia

After two full seasons at Levante, Vicente signed for Valencia in the summer of 2000. Initially, his favoured position of left winger was occupied by Argentine Kily González[9] but, despite serious contention for a first-team place, he still managed to net five goals in 33 La Liga games, adding 13 appearances in the season's UEFA Champions League although he was left on the bench for the final against FC Bayern Munich.[10]

The arrival of Rafael Benítez as coach in 2001–02 would mark Vicente's opportunity to prove himself, and he did not disappoint as his progress led to the club's first league title in over 30 years. While appearing in fewer games (31, with one goal) he was already first-choice, and produced similar numbers in the following campaign, netting his only goal in a 3–0 home win over Recreativo de Huelva.[11]

2003–04 was Vicente's finest season with the club as his energetic efforts propelled the Che to their second league title under Benítez,[12] adding two goals in seven matches in the team's victorious run in the UEFA Cup, including one in the final where he also assisted Mista in the second (the pair combined for 30 league goals, 12 from Vicente, a career-best,[9] with Francisco Rufete pitching in from the right flank).[13]

After a productive year, Vicente was linked with a host of important clubs, but turned down any eventual move and signed a further four-year extension, stating: "I'm happy to remain at Valencia because I was born here and it's my home."[14] In the 2004–05 season, however, under the management of Claudio Ranieri, his forays down the wing appeared stagnated as the coach opted to favour fellow Italian Emiliano Moretti to provide support for him rather than to let him have a free role along the left – furthermore, ankle injuries hindered his campaign and he spent much of the beginning on the sidelines.[15] As he returned, the manager had already been sacked, Valencia ranked seventh and he only appeared in 12 league matches;[16] in the following year more of the same, as the side finished 11 points behind eventual champions FC Barcelona and he was again bothered by an ankle condition.[17]

"It is clear that he is one of the best players. Some footballers are a little more than others and Vicente is one of them".

–Claudio Ranieri, former Valencia manager.

Vicente was again often injured in 2006–07, most notably in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final clash with Chelsea which ended his campaign.[18][19] The English won that tie 3–2 on aggregate while the player only took part in 16 league matches, with his team ending fourth.

Vicente made an impressive comeback, scoring the first goal in Valencia's 3–0 win against IF Elfsborg in the Champions League third qualifying round at the Mestalla Stadium.[20] However, another injury occurred shortly after, this time during training, and he would end up spending another large spell in the sidelines, being limited to just 17 appearances in the league.

Disappointed, the player publicly blamed the medical staff for his continuing injuries:

"My morale is very low. I’ve lost all confidence in the medical staff, that's it. I’ve been defending them for the last two years, but I don’t see any of this situation improving, when I’m still not recovered from one injury I get worse, or suffer from another one. They give me an injection and then I can’t move myself for a week because of the pain".[21]

"On top of this, then they tell me maybe my injury doesn’t exist, and it is psychological. It's very hard, I can’t stand it any longer. I’ve lost all confidence in the doctor, but I don’t want to be bad to anyone, but the person who loses the most is me, because I can neither play football nor help my teammates. I only ask to play twenty minutes in one go.

"That is the worst part about it all, to know that when I have the opportunity to play with good health, things turn out well for me, and I play well, I can help the team," he concluded.

Valencia responded that they would open disciplinary proceedings against Vicente after these statements, citing: 'The club will take the necessary action against the player depending on whether his conduct is considered a 'serious' or 'very serious' offence under internal regulations'.[22] The "injury saga" came to an end when the player was fined €1,200 following controversial remarks made regarding the club's medical staff.

In 2008–09, although playing fewer minutes, Vicente was able to contribute more regularly, while competing for first-choice status with young Juan Mata. He came from the bench in the season opener, a 3–0 home win over RCD Mallorca,[23] and, majorly used as a substitute (usually for Mata) during the season, still contributed with six league goals.[24]

Vicente's fitness problems persisted in the following campaign, as he only made his first appearance on 6 January 2010, replacing Mata for the final 15 minutes of a 1–2 home loss against Deportivo de La Coruña in the first leg of the Copa del Rey's round-of-16. He still managed to take part in 11 league games, slowly trying to regain his best form; aged 29, he was released by the club after a link that lasted 11 years.[9]

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 2 September 2011, Vicente signed a one-year deal with Football League Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion.[25] On the 21st, he made his official debut for the club, in a 1–2 home loss against Liverpool for the season's Football League Cup, winning a penalty which resulted in the Ashley Barnes goal.[26]

Vicente scored his first goal for Brighton in a 1–3 away defeat against Ipswich Town, on 1 October 2011.[27] However, he was afflicted by injury soon after, and was out for over three months. He returned on 4 February 2012 to provide the assist for Will Buckley's winning goal in a 1–0 victory over Leicester City; the following weekend, also from the bench, he set up two goals in a 2–1 win against Leeds United at Elland Road.[28]

On 10 March 2012, Brighton beat Portsmouth 2–0 at home, with Vicente scoring a brace – including one from a low free kick – lifting his team into the play-off places and stretching its unbeaten run to 12 games.[29] On 16 May of the following year, after only 12 appearances during the season, he was released alongside Gary Dicker and Marcos Painter;[30] following his departure he described his former boss, Gustavo Poyet, as “the worst person I’ve come across in football”, “selfish” and “egocentric”.[31]

On 17 April 2014, Vicente announced his retirement from football.[32] In January 2016, he returned to work with Valencia as a member of the technical staff.[33]

International career

Vicente made his debut for Spain in a friendly against France on 28 March 2001, replacing Pedro Munitis in the 72nd minute of a 2–1 win at the Mestalla.[34] He was overlooked for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

Vicente appeared in his first major tournament at the UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal,[35] playing in three complete group stage matches.[36][37] Constant injuries would mean he would also fail to make the final cut for the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Career statistics

Club
Sources:[38][39][40]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Levante 1997–98 3100—31
1998–99 21230—242
1999–00 36710—367
Total 60940—649
Valencia 2000–01 33521140486
2001–02 3121081393
2002–03 28120110391
2003–04 331241724214
2004–05 1231142155
2005–06 2131050223
2006–07 1640050214
2007–08 1706141252
2008–09 27684503810
2009–10 1102020130
2010–11 1413220173
Total 24336301067634052
Brighton & Hove Albion 2011–12 1732000193
2012–13 1221000132
Total 2953000325
Career totals 33250371067643666

International
Source:[41]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain 200130
200270
2003101
200491
200591
Total383

International goals
Source:[41]
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.19 November 2003Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway Norway0–20–3Euro 2004 qualifying
2.8 September 2004Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina0–11–12006 World Cup qualification
3.17 August 2005El Molinón, Gijón, Spain Uruguay2–02–0Friendly

Honours

Valencia

Individual

References
  1. "VICENTE Rodríguez Guillén" (in Spanish). El Mundo. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  2. Picó, Diego (20 January 2016). "Vicente Rodríguez vuelve al Valencia" [Vicente Rodríguez returns to Valencia] (in Spanish). Marca. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  3. Vicente faces threat of surgery; UEFA, 19 November 2004
  4. Vicente missing until March; UEFA, 3 January 2005
  5. Vicente targets quick comeback; UEFA, 16 January 2006
  6. Hamstring woe for Valencia's Vicente; UEFA, 4 April 2007
  7. Unlucky Vicente sidelined again; UEFA, 6 April 2007
  8. Vicente out for another month; UEFA, 7 September 2007
  9. Gil, Alfonso (14 May 2011). "Vicente, adiós a 11 años en Mestalla" [Vicente, farewell to 11 years in Mestalla] (in Spanish). El Mundo. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  10. "Bayern crowned European champions". BBC Sport. 23 May 2001. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  11. Pérez Ortiz, Juan (15 September 2002). "El Valencia gana con facilidad a un Recreativo muy plano" [Valencia defeat see-through Recreativo easily] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  12. "El Valencia, campeón de Liga" [Valencia, League champions] (in Spanish). UEFA. 10 May 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  13. "Valencia 2–0 Marseille". BBC Sport. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  14. Vicente extends Valencia deal; UEFA, 20 August 2004
  15. "El Valencia sufre la dependencia de Vicente" [Valencia ache as Vicentedependant] (in Spanish). El País. 21 October 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  16. Ros, Cayetano (26 February 2005). "El Valencia se deshace de Ranieri" [Valencia get rid of Ranieri] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  17. "Vicente sufre una distensión en su tobillo izquierdo" [Vicente distends his left ankle] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 28 July 2005. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  18. "Vicente injury clouds Valencia's Champions League draw at Chelsea". Pravda.ru. 5 April 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  19. García, Miguel Ángel (30 October 2007). "Vicente, el mejor 'fichaje' del Valencia" [Vicente, Valencia's best 'signing'] (in Spanish). Marca. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  20. Rodríguez, Tito (14 August 2007). "Cómoda goleada 'ché'" [Easy ‘ché’ rout] (in Spanish). UEFA. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  21. Vicente, frustrado y sincero: "He perdido toda la confianza en el equipo médico del club" (Vicente, frustrated and frank: "I have lost all confidence in the club's medical staff); Diarios de Fútbol, 5 September 2007 (in Spanish)
  22. Expedientan a Vicente por sus críticas a los médicos (Vicente disciplined for criticising medical staff); Marca, 5 September 2007 (in Spanish)
  23. Valencia 3–0 Mallorca; ESPN Soccernet, 30 August 2008
  24. Tronchoni, Nadia (9 March 2009). "El Valencia roza el ridículo" [Valencia border on the ridiculous] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  25. Brighton complete signing of ex-Valencia winger Vicente; BBC Sport, 2 September 2011
  26. Brighton 1–2 Liverpool; BBC Sport, 21 September 2011
  27. "Ipswich 3–1 Brighton". BBC Sport. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  28. Leeds 1–2 Brighton; BBC Sport, 11 February 2012
  29. Brighton 2–0 Portsmouth; BBC Sport, 10 March 2012
  30. "Brighton release Gary Dicker, Marcos Painter & Vicente". BBC Sport. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  31. Owen, Brian; Naylor, Andy (18 May 2013). "Vicente blasts Poyet". The Argus. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  32. "Vicente Rodriguez today announced his retirement from football. One of the greatest players to have ever worn the Albion shirt". Twitter. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  33. "Vicente Rodríguez returns to VCF as member of technical staff". Valencia CF. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  34. Segurola, Santiago (29 March 2001). "España gana 2–1 a la selección francesa, actual campeona del mundo" [Spain win 2–1 to French national team, current World champions] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  35. Modia, Iván (20 May 2004). "Sáez selects Spain squad". UEFA. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  36. Spiro, Matthew (17 June 2004). "Greece profit as Charisteas stops Spain surge". UEFA. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  37. Farrelly, David (20 June 2004). "Portugal leave Spain in shade to light up Lisbon". UEFA. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  38. Vicente at BDFutbol
  39. "Vicente". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  40. "Vicente". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  41. "Vicente Rodríguez". European Football. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  42. Pla Díaz, Emilio. "Spain – Footballer of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
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