when I looked at bellerin who was doubted to be league's best rightback for some time I have to say, Valencia is twice the player he is... His strenght is on completely different level and it helps him to keep the ball under pressure even though he's very one footed, but he learnt to use that turn ith his outside of the foot quite well despite looking pretty limited avoiding his left at first..
his crossing also got better or he just doesn't seem to hit his first player that often, I guess it is also down to the fact that we move players forward and he has an option for a pass or the cross to find Ibra or whoever is there or just drive with the ball infield which can look quite onedimensional particularly when he cant really cut it back to his right when in speed but he's always in control of the ball. Valencia NEVER looses possession which is quite an asset too my favourite in him along with keeping the ball under pressure, as much as Rafael was great fullback and better at some other aspects of the game, he'd never bombed forward or shield the ball like Tonyo, you never feel that LAV is gonna be outmuscled and dispossesed, certainly helped him that he played as a winger, his dribbling is very good even though he doesn't really leave players behind him..
Love this LAV