Albelda: Che had to sell star duo

Published Jul. 11, 2010 6:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

Valencia midfielder David Albelda believes the club had no option but to sell Spain stars David Villa and David Silva this summer.

Valencia finished third in the Primera Division last season to seal a return to the Champions League, but the club have huge debts and both Villa and Silva have since left in big-money moves.

Villa was sold to Barcelona for 40million euros (£33.5million) before the World Cup, while Silva recently joined Manchester City for around 33million (£27.7million).

But Albelda says Valencia had no alternative.

"It's a shame they have left because they are two great players, but the club had to sell them to survive," he told AS.

Nevertheless, Albelda believes Valencia can cope without the two attacking talents.

"I have lived similar situations (at the club) and we have come through them," he said. "The president has to look for solutions to past mistakes and make unpopular decisions, but I think people understand that selling is one of the few ways of solving these problems."

Apart from two loan spells at Villarreal, Albelda has spent his whole career at Valencia and made over 300 appearances for the club.