They were different times. Operations that today are not even imagined. Julio César Dely Valdés (Colón, Panama, 1967) arrived at Oviedo in the summer of 1997 from Paris Saint Germain (PSG), commanded today by Messi, Neymar and Mbappé. He spent three years with the blue shirt: 10, 19 and 11 goals respectively. In total, 40. He was, therefore, the last great scorer in the First Division. Then, although he says he didn’t want to, he went to Málaga, Oviedo’s rival tomorrow at La Rosaleda (6:15 p.m., Movistar). On the Costa del Sol he also scored goals: 44. Today and now, Dely is making a career as a coach and directs the Árabe Unido of Panama, his country, of which he was also the coach. He makes room for LA NUEVA ESPAÑA and from his office analyzes the keys to tomorrow’s duel, key for the Blues in their fight to get back to where he left the team. He also remembers.
-What are you doing now?
-I am training the team where I retired as a player. It has a few years of existence and we go regularly. I took on a two-year project and we are looking to see if the team gets up; At the moment we are last, but football here is very different. I am happy, we work long-term and good things have been done.
-Is European football and Panamanian football alike?
-It has nothing to do with it! This is not professional and we are in a development process. There are few football fans at club level, but here the team moves a lot. I was in the selection in several stages and I can say it. Panamanian soccer has a future, but it has to improve.
-There are some Panamanians succeeding abroad.
-There are a few and most are outside. Puma Rodríguez is at Sporting and Bárcenas, who was at Oviedo, now plays for Leganés. They both have good qualities. Puma is powers, strength and speed. Bárcenas is different, he has a technique, a goal and a shot.
– Do you follow Spanish football?
-As long as I can. Also, if I can’t watch a match, I keep an eye on the news.
-What do you think of Oviedo?
– He has a very good career and his streak is spectacular. Oviedo, honestly, is great. It goes through a typical dynamic of teams that rise because they go from less to more. Hopefully that promotion will be given, because they have been looking for it for a long time and they deserve it.
– Do you see it possible?
-Yes, because I see a very solid team in defense that bites up. The players seem confident and the key is to continue with that dynamic.
-You were the last great scorer for Oviedo in the First Division. Now there’s Staff, what do you think?
-I wish you all the luck in the world. Goals are what can help Oviedo go up. As a goalscorer, he should build on his streak and hopefully continue scoring goals.
–Do you remember when you left Oviedo to play for Málaga?
– I never forget that.
-Why?
-After my third season at Oviedo I wanted to continue because I was very happy in Asturias. We were negotiating the renewal, I asked for two more years and Oviedo only gave me one. I told my representative to press on, to fight for those two years.
-What did Oviedo tell you?
–At first they didn’t want to, but we kept waiting for the answer and they told us yes. I was in Panama and they asked me to go to Madrid to sign the contract. I told them okay. When I arrive, the sports director at the time, Félix Ortega, tells me no, that it was not possible.
–How did you react?
“I said, ‘Excuse me? I travel from Panama and now you tell me no? It made me feel very bad. Many people thought that I was the one who wanted to leave, but I always wanted to continue. They made me travel to Madrid for nothing and it seemed to me a lack of respect and professionalism.
-Then he went to Malaga.
-They offered me two years and so I signed.
– What was found?
-Oviedo and Málaga were sportingly similar clubs, which aspired, first of all, to stay in the category. What changed me was the weather! I was very lucky in Malaga, because I enjoyed very good years, from less to more. Unfortunately it coincided with the bad stage in Oviedo, which I suffered in the distance.
-In Malaga he coincided with Francesc Arnau (former sports director of Oviedo, who died in May 2021).
-He was one of the goalkeepers and I always had a great relationship. I was very saddened by his death.
–Do you miss Oviedo?
I go little and I would like to go more. I miss many things, especially gastronomy!
-You know the Oviedo fans well and you know how to play under pressure. What do you think is the key to this League final?
-To achieve success you always have to go through difficult times and Oviedo has already overcome them. It is the right time to make the leap. I think the board has been patient, has known how to handle problems and has built a good group, with a lot of strength. The key is to have the security and the conviction that this objective can be met. I have seen the sobriety with which they play the games and that must be maintained, because in the team you see a lot of unity.
– Who are you going with tomorrow?
–Poof! The teams arrive in completely different situations. Málaga needs to keep up and it is difficult for them, after a bad dynamic. Oviedo arrives well, with confidence and security. I want both teams to achieve their goals for the season. I always say that Oviedo and Málaga are First Division teams in the Second Division.
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