Monesterolo adamant to honour Valletta contract
Said named Sliema captain
Argentine striker Sebastian Monesterolo has no plans to leave Premier League club Valletta during the January transfer window despite speculation to the contrary.
Escalating rumours that Monesterolo may put in a transfer request come January have set the alarm bells ringing among Valletta fans who have taken the Argentine hot-shot to heart on the back of his scoring exploits since he joined the club last January.
Although Monesterolo knows there will be no shortage of offers if he decides to part company with Valletta, he strongly refuted talk that he will be seeking pastures new in January.
"Rumours that I am considering a move in January are untrue," Monesterolo, Valletta's top-scorer in the Premier League with 11 goals in eight matches this season, told The Times yesterday.
"I'm fully intent on honouring my current contract with Valletta which runs until June."
It has been claimed that other top Premier League clubs are preparing to test Valletta's resolve to hold on to Monesterolo when the transfer window reopens in January but the 23-year-old striker reaffirmed his commitment to the Citizens.
"I've heard a lot of stories about other Maltese clubs being interested in me but no-one has approached me. As I have already said, I am fully committed to Valletta until June."
Valletta, fourth in the Premier League standings and gunning to make sure of their presence in the Championship Pool the earliest possible, will surely do their best to keep arguably their most-prized asset but may be powerless to stop him leaving in June.
Faced with a question about his plans beyond June of next year, Monesterolo said: "I have always said that my ambition is to play abroad.
"I'm enjoying my football with Valletta but I am still hoping to fulfil my dream of playing in a better league in the future.
"However, it's early to speak about what I want to do after the end of my contract with Valletta."
Monesterolo insisted that he will weigh up all his options before making a decision on his future at the end of the current season.
"I've got contacts in many countries but I haven't had a concrete offer so far. If Valletta offer me a new contract, I will surely consider it.
"For the moment, I'm concentrating on doing well for Valletta this season. My ambition is to help Valletta win the league."
Meanwhile, The Times has learnt that Malta defender Brian Said has been named captain of Sliema Wanderers. The 33-year-old Said has skippered the Blues in most of their Premier League matches this season in the absence of Noel Turner, Sliema's former long-serving captain.
Injury problems have hampered Turner's cause to hold down a regular place in the Sliema team this season.
Mattocks injury blow
One of the first decisions Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia made after succeeding Edward Aquilina as coach of the Wanderers was to name Said as the new club captain. Ian Ciantar has been promoted to vice-captain. Farrugia has also appointed Ronald Vella, the Sliema Wanderers nursery head coach, as his assistant.
On the injury front, Sliema suffered another injury setback last week when Malta midfielder Claude Mattocks picked up a calf injury during training. Mattocks is expected to be sidelined from four to five weeks.
Czech midfielder Zdenek Svoboda has yet to regain his fitness after injuring his ribs last month and Jeffrey Chetcuti and Stefan Giglio are still recuperating from operations.
Chetcuti underwent surgery after fracturing his left hand during Sliema's 3-1 defeat to Marsaxlokk and Giglio had an operation on a broken ankle.
Sliema are expected to bring in some new players during the January transfer window. Etienne Barbara, the Birkirkara striker, remains their no.1 target and the Wanderers have reportedly reopened transfer discussions with the Stripes.
On Friday, Sliema beat Division One side Mosta 4-1 in a friendly match at the Luxol Ground.
Next league matches
National Stadium: Saturday, 2 p.m. Msida St Joseph vs Sliema Wanderers; 4 p.m. Valletta vs Birkirkara.
Hibs Ground: Sunday, 12.45 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Marsa; 2.45 p.m. St George's vs Hibs.