Levante Update

If Levante have been struggling in one area this season, it would have to be at the back. The club have shipped 50 goals this season, which is the second worst in the division. Only fellow relegation candidates Hellas Verona have conceded more, with 66.


If they have struggled in two areas, you can add scoring goals. Going into last night’s game against Chievo Verona, Parfitt’s side had managed 28 goals in 28 games, with young Cameroon attacker Clinton N’Jie’s 7 representing 25% of the total.

Top scorer Clinton N'Jie

To try and solve this issue, Parfitt this week brought in N’Jie’s compatriot and Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o from Espanyol for £1m. Parfitt revealed that a bid from Levante for Eto’o had been rejected a few weeks ago, so once he became available, they were only too pleased to offer him a new home.


Also joining the club is Hungarian striker Adam Szalai from Sunderland in a straight swap for full back Conservo Fagner. The Brazillian had struggled since his close season arrival from Corinthians, so Parfitt was happy enough to let him go.

New boys Samuel Eto'o and Hungarian Adam Szalai

The new additions were paired up for last night’s encounter against Verona despite having not trained together previously. This meant a change of formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-1-3-2, so Clinton N’Jie was relieved of the pressures of being the loan front man and dropped in behind the two strikers.

Alejandro Gomez, the experienced Argentinian who has been disappointing so far this season was dropped to the bench, and replaced by young Dutch prodigy Bart Ramselaar. The 19 year old being rewarded for some strong performances in the youth cup this season. He will be hoping to get an extended run in the side now.


With Fagner’s departure, Adriano switched from left back to right back, and Jean Beausejour, who has spent most of the season enjoying an attacking role, was pulled back to the left back position.


Things started brightly for the new boys. Adam Szalai forced a fine stop from Rafael after just 10 minutes. After another 10 minutes, Samuel Eto’o played in his strike partner, and it paid dividends with Levante taking a deserved lead.


As the half drew on, Verona forced John Ruddy into a couple of bread and butter saves, but the home side went in a goal to the good at the break.


A minute into the second half though, and last season’s player of the year for Levante John Ruddy made a schoolboy error. A shot from Ibisevic was fumbled and found its way into the back of the net.

Eto’o forced a good save after about an hour, but an improved Levante performance was undone in the 89th minute, with Ibisevic’s cheeky flick beating Ruddy at full stretch.


The club look destined for division 5 football next season, with a recovery even more impressive than last season’s effort now required.

As per the table below, a Herculean effort will be requirde to get Levante anywhere near safety.

14		Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk	29	-4	35
15		Montpellier HSC	29	0	33
16		West Bromwich Albion	29	-7	33
17		Celta Vigo	29	-9	31
18		Hellas Verona	29	-32	30
19		RCD Espanyol	29	-16	28
20		LEVANTE UD	29	-21	25

After the game however, Parfitt was in reflective mood. When asked if he felt he could still keep the club up, he said yes, but that if they do go down, it is a chance start again and get the club freshened up from top to bottom.

In terms of playing staff, Parfitt suggested that he will use the remaining games to give some of the youth and reserve players an opportunity to impress as he looks at the future for the club. There are a lot of younger players at the club, but they need to start kicking on to pin down a first team spot and help the club to success. 

Long term, Parfitt feels that the future does look a lot brighter for Levante, but will he still be in a job to reap whet he is sowing? The man himself certainly hopes so, but if the club remain firmly rooted as they are, then the decision may be taken out of his hands.