Giorgi Mamardashvili is having a tough time in his final season at Valencia, just ahead of his planned transfer to Liverpool. The 24-year-old goalkeeper is set to join the Premier League club this summer after both teams agreed to a £29m deal back in August.
Mamardashvili had impressed with strong performances for Georgia during Euro 2024, and his displays last season earned him a spot on the Yashin Trophy shortlist. However, his form at Valencia has recently come under scrutiny, as the team struggles in La Liga. Valencia is currently 18th in the league, only above the relegation zone due to goal difference.
With the second-worst defensive record in Spain’s top division—having conceded 44 goals—it’s not surprising that Mamardashvili’s performances are being questioned, especially with his upcoming move to Liverpool. The goalkeeper missed four matches earlier this year due to a leg injury, but since returning, his performances have faced even more criticism.
Despite Valencia only losing two games with Mamardashvili in goal after his return, those losses were heavy: a 7-1 defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou and a 3-0 loss to Atletico Madrid. Although both Barcelona and Atletico are at the top of the table, these significant defeats have still raised concerns about the goalkeeper’s form.
Even more worrying for Mamardashvili was Valencia’s 3-3 draw against mid-table Osasuna. Valencia had led twice in the game, only for Osasuna to equalize. Mamardashvili faced criticism for failing to save Aimar Oroz’s two goals, as well as being unable to stop a penalty from Ante Budimir. He could also feel that he should have done better with Oroz’s low volley from outside the box, which slipped past him.
After the match, Valencia coach Carlos Corberan was asked about Mamardashvili’s performance. Although Corberan didn’t directly criticize the goalkeeper, he hinted that the goalkeeper hadn’t been playing up to his usual standards. “I don’t like to publicly evaluate individual performances,” Corberan stated. “We compensate for any performances below the usual level of our players with a lot of work.”
While Spanish media continue to criticize Mamardashvili, it’s important to note that Valencia’s overall struggles this season should not be blamed solely on the goalkeeper. With the team fighting against relegation, it’s interesting to consider how Mamardashvili’s performances might be judged if he hadn’t already agreed to join Liverpool.
