Valencia forward Juan Mata has praised the new coach and his working methods. He also insists that the club have capable players up front and do not need Samuel Eto’o.Unai Emery took the reins of the squad in May, and has the difficult job of take Valencia back to the sharp end of La Liga after a disappointing campaign in which they finished in 10th place.

Off the pitch issues have been as dominant as anything else, so tackling that could prove to be the key for the former Almeria manager.

According to Mata, Emery has asked his men to not give importance to comments on the outside that can damage the harmony of the dressing room.

When asked about Valencia’s alleged interested in sacking Emery and have him replaced by Luis Aragonés, Mata insisted that Emery “is calm.”

On the work done thus far, the former Real Madrid youth team player said it revolved around “typical pre-season training but with more ball exercises, which the squad is thankful for.”

“Everyone in the squad starts from scratch,” he continued, speaking of his own prospects. “My priority is to keep growing as a footballer.

“Football has no memory and, regadless of how well you played last season, you have to start over. I can’t rely on my first year, and I hope I will have many and good years here.”

The youngster also believes that Valencia have a good squad that can finish in the top four.

“We have a very good coach that wants to do the things right, as with previous teams, and we will help him go as far as possible,” he added.

On Valencia’s reported interest in Samuel Eto’o, Mata considers that his club already have “very good players” for that position.

Ref Fom Luís Mira - goal.com

Samuel Eto’o could start the new season at Barcelona after making no effort to look for a new club and rejecting offers from various teams that have made moves.

The Cameroonian striker is said to not be part of new coach Pep Guardiola’s plans, but he will not be pushed out of Camp Nou and is no hurry to make any decisions.

Chelsea, AC Milan, Tottenham and Manchester City have all been linked with a move for Eto’o only for no concrete move to be made for one reason or another.

Any interested clubs will have to meet or top the former Mallorca goalscorer’s current wages and that has already proved to be a stumbling block.

Juande Ramos’ Spurs side were unable to match Eto’o’s demands due to their wage cap, while Manchester City preferred to focus on Ronaldinho.

Milan have now turned their attentions to Emmanuel Adebayor after deciding against a move for Eto’o due to Barcleona’s high asking price and will not be back in for him.

Finally, Chelsea’s appointment of Luis Felipe Scolari put paid to the Blues making a firm offer because the Brazilian coach is keen to keep Didier Drogba at the club.

Eto’o is currently on holiday and has made it clear that he will only hear what Barça have to say when he returns next week for pre-season training.

With a contract that runs until 2010, he knows that he does not have to go anywhere and could yet play a major role for the club next term if he can win over Guardiola.

Ref from Lucas Brown, Goal.com