A RAYO SUNSHINE IN THE BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL

By Richard Thorburn
Updated: 13 December, 2011

The name ‘Michu’ may not mean too much to most people outside Spain.

With six goals already this season however, the midfielder is playing an instrumental part in Rayo Vallecano’s efforts to extend their stay in the top flight for at least another year.

Having arrived on a free transfer from Celta Vigo in the summer, the 25-year-old has received plaudits from far and wide for his performances so far, and although we are only in December he already looks like being one of the bargains of the season.

But such are the financial constraints that many a club have to abide by, Rayo may face an uphill battle to keep hold of their talisman for much longer than twelve months.

In fact recent reports suggest a whole host of clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea, have been tracking Michu’s progress with an eye on taking him from the Madrid based club sometime soon.

Rayo fans will be relieved to hear that Michu is keen to keep his feet firmly on the ground however.

“I am living a dream, I had such a negative situation in the summer being without a club,” said Michu.

“Then the deal arrived and I am now enjoying this moment, the project from Rayo was interesting and I am happy I made this choice. Now my challenge is to keep Rayo in the Primera Liga”

Recent form suggests that could be easier said than done.

After surprising many with a start that saw them reach the dizzy heights of the top ten, Rayo have now lost their last four games, including the 3 – 1 loss to Sporting Gijon at the weekend.

With the season fast approaching the half way point it was a game that had already been given the ‘six pointer’ tag by many in Spain.

The game in which Rayo fans hoped would see their team revitalise only ended up seeing them further demoralised.

The festive season may be fast approaching, but it was the comical way in which they gift wrapped the goals to their visitors that must surely be of great concern.

While there are many pros and cons pros to having a winter break in La Liga, for Rayo Vallecano it has come at just the right time.

With the team now not playing in the league until 7 January, manager Jose Huertas has just under a month to re-motivate his players for the battle that lies ahead of them.

Results in the first couple of months show that Rayo can compete in this league, but with the added ‘thrill’ of playing in Spain’s top division starting to turn into a burden rather than the exciting challenge that it is, performances have deteriorated.

Despite Michu’s kind words about his employees, you can be almost certain that if Rayo can’t relocate that spark then they could well be waving goodbye to their star asset sooner rather than later.

If he can continue his recent form then it could well be a case of when, and not if, bigger teams start to back up their interest with firm bids.

And if that happens, Rayo Vallecano would face an uphill battle persuading the player his future lies at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas.

A RAYO SUNSHINE IN THE BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL

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