Miguel signs new Valencia contract

Mourinho exit may destabilise rivals Chelsea says defender

Portuguese defender Miguel has confirmed that he has signed a new contract with Spanish side Valencia, while insisting that the team will improve on their early season performances to appease their restless supporters.

Miguel had been seeking improved terms on the deal he signed in 2005 for some time, with the former Benfica man even linked with a move away from the Mestalla when no offer from the club was forthcoming.

“I can confirm that I’ve signed for two more years with Valencia and I’m very happy with that. It was my wish and I hope I can fulfil my new contract,” he told a press conference on Thursday.

Despite winning two of their first three La Liga games and securing an away victory in Germany against Schalke in the Champions League, both Valencia and their manager Quique Sanchez Flores have been criticised by the fans for the nature of their performances.

Backing for Flores

However, Miguel has offered his support to the coach and says that the players will improve on their opening performances in the near future. “I support him and we have to continue like this,” he said when asked about Flores.

‘We want to do things right, but sometimes we aren’t able to. If the fans don’t help us, it gets more complicated. The fans will have their reasons, but this situation doesn’t help the team. We want to win, to play a good match so that everyone here is happy, especially our fans.

“We always want our fans to enjoy our play. Sometimes they don’t, but we win, which is the most important thing. We are at the beginning of the season and we have to be patient. We won five of the first six games and we’ll play better so that the fans can be happy with us.”

Chelsea to feel Mourinho exit

Finally, the Portuguese international gave his reaction to the news that Jose Mourinho has parted company with English Premier League side Chelsea, who face Valencia in the next round of Champions League matches.

“I’ve only just found out. I’m sorry for him and I wish him the best,” he said.

“I hope this affects them, but time will tell. It’s always a difficult situation when the trainer leaves at the beginning of a season, but they have a great squad and they can always take you by surprise.”