Anil Murthy: "The key to the Valencia CF DNA is the academy"

Ahead of Valencia CF's 100th anniversary, president Anil Murthy spoke to the media about the club's current situation, the Centenary celebrations and what has been a successful season so far.

"Valencia CF have a solid corporate culture, with a strong group of professionals," he said. "We've had a lot of success and won many trophies, and we are a big club in Europe. There are many great clubs, with long histories, who have fallen by the wayside."

"It's not about an lack of economic balance. It's about how you put together a team to compete at the highest level, and right now we are up there. On the pitch, we can match sides with large budgets."

"Mr. Peter Lim (the club's majority shareholder) is very clear: We have to focus on the Academy. Our expenditure model isn't about investing large amounts on stars. They cost a lot of money and every club should respect Financial Fair Play, not spending more than they earn. His instructions are very clear: The future of Valencia CF is the VCF Academy."

Evidence of this is in the current squad, which includes the likes of José Luis Gayà, Toni Lato, Carlos Soler, Ferran Torres and Kang In. 

“The key to the Valencia CF DNA is the Academy. Our team has some very young players, and we want young talents from around the world to come to Valencia CF, because we will give them the opportunity to play in LaLiga. We have the sporting structure and the ambition for this to happen,"  Anil Murthy concluded.