Barça keeper Albert Jorquera has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until 2010. His previous contract was due to finish at the end of this season but now he will stay for another two years. Jorquera who will be 29 on Monday, is recovering from a cruciate ligament and meniscus injury in his right knee and will not play again this season.
I have to say I’m not sure about the wisdom of extending someone’s contract while they are injured. What if he doesn’t recover properly? Having said that Jorquera seems like a decent bloke who never causes any problems despite the few opportunities he gets, and I imagine he is not too expensive. I know he has his critics, and I would prefer Barça to sign a better keeper as cover for Valdés, but it is never easy to sign someone when they are unlikely to play. Valdés is one of the best keepers around and it would be practically impossible to sign someone playing first team football to be his understudy.
7 responses so far ↓
Taras // Feb 29, 2008 at 19:36
But Barca has Pinto now and I think he is good goalkeeper, better than Jorquera . If something happens with Valdes or if we just play a friendly match than Pinto will be there to help us. He said that. And when Jorquera plays we always concede the early goal.
Dr.Osmo // Feb 29, 2008 at 23:16
Jorquera Signs Until 2010 !!
What!! Rijkaard and Laporta you’re crazy…
Pinto is better than Jorquera… and Olazabal is better…
Siim // Feb 29, 2008 at 23:45
Nic, do you think Pinto will get his chance assuming Valdes won’t get injured? Or will his contract be extended now when Jorquera is sure to stay atleast until 2010?
Nic // Mar 1, 2008 at 3:23
Siim - who knows? While Valdés steers clear of injury it is impossible to judge Pinto. We’ll see what happens at the end of the season.
Michael Maré // Mar 1, 2008 at 14:20
The Barcelona board should rather spend their time trying to make Pinto’s loan in to a permanent deal, as he is a much better keeper than Jorquera.
pep // Mar 1, 2008 at 19:20
They have to decide about Pinto before May ends, let’s see what they will do. They can get him for free, but then you really block the youngsters.
Winterhunt // Mar 2, 2008 at 1:03
Why?????? It’s not like Jorquera is some promising youngster. I do not think he is even in Pinto’s class. In fact, I think our keeper situation as a whole could use an upgrade, as Valdes just really seems to have judgement problems at times, granted he has the least goals allowed and superb reflexes but his decision making and positioning always seem to be some what questionable at some point in every game. I would seriously consider Kameni from Espanyol who has a very cheap buy out clause….. I have seen him absolutely shine in the few games I’ve seen him in La Liga as well as the African Cup Of Nations….. Though I imagine this will not happen as they seem to be committed to Valdes…… To me the big difference and only advantage Real have over us is Casillas…. If Casillas had our defenders, he would but almost unbeatable.
Leave a Comment