David Albelda believes that Valencia have been hit hard by injuries this term.
David Albelda believes that Valencia could have been on their way to the title if they had not suffered so many injuries this season.The Mestalla club's captain is convinced that had Quique Sanchez Flores had the majority of his squad for the entire campaign then a fully-fledged title tilt would have been on the cards.
As it stands, the Che have been without several star players for long periods, but are still in with a shout of catching Barcelona.
Despite being only six points behind Frank Rijkaard's table-topping side, Albelda reiterated that ensuring a top-four finish was not the team's sole priority.
"We have to go from game-to-game to guarantee ourselves a place in the Champions League positions," he told a press conference at Valencia's training ground on Tuesday.
"But it would be really incredible, completely unthinkable, if we could win the league after the amount of injuries that we have had this season.
"People only bring up the fitness side when results are not good.
"It could be the case that the team is slightly tired, but with only one game a week from now on we have to treat the last seven games like finals.
"Our first goal is to finish in the top four though, not to go for the title. If things had gone differently this season I think we could be leaders right now.
"While it is still mathematically possible, of course, we are going to try for it, but it is clear that Barcelona would have to do very badly and us do very well.
"They are on top and I think that they have the best run-in out of all the teams up there."
Albelda then revealed his shock at Barcelona's midweek friendly against Al-Ahly in Egypt, an arrangement that has echoes of Real Madrid's Galactico period under Florentino Perez.
"It is completely mad to do this because of what is at stake at this stage of the season," he stated.
"I think that it is more a case of good marketing rather than good preparation.
"A lot of money is being paid for that game to take place, but for the players it is not the best things that they could be doing."
