Jorge Valdivia: "I'm not playing well; I owe a performance like last year's"

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SANTIAGO.- Soccer player Jorge Valdivia acknowledges that his season debut with the Palmeiras has not been stellar and that he is indebted by his poor performance during the first matches of the Paulista Tournament.

On the club's official website, the Palmeiras captain asserted, "I am the first one to say that I am not playing well and I owe a performance like last year's".

After his amazing accomplishments on the Brazilian playing fields during the 2007 season, Valdivia was chosen to be captain by the team’s new coach, Vanderlei Luxemburgo.  Valdivia's honor and responsibility as captain however, have been overshadowed by beatings he has taken on the field and the number of yellow cards that he has been shown by referees.

As a result, Valdivia has not been able to regain the same level of play as last year and leaves much to be desired by fans of his team.

The former Colo Colo player maintained that the weekend suspension did him well, allowing him more time to rest. Valdivia will return to his position tomorrow, when the Palmeiras are set to face Guarantinguetá.