La Liga Transfer Rumors: Will Juan Roman Riquelme Come to Villareal's Rescue?

With Villareal flirting with the snares of relegation, an old player has expressed interest in resurrecting the team from it's current woes, according the Argentine newspaper Marca. 

When asked if he followed his former team, Riquelme responded:

"It's my club. Next to Boca, that is. I have spent incredible years there and now I see that they are suffering. Those years were marvelous...I think we were better than Arsenal and derserved to play in the (Champions League) final against Barça, but we just didn't. 

Riquelme spent four years with the club after an unsuccessful stint with Barcelona. After great success with Villareal, Riquelme departed the club after an alleged falling out with coach Manuel Pellegrini.

With new coach José Francisco Molina at the helm, Riquelme has expressed a desire to make a return to the club. 

"If they asked me to come help them, and I had permission from Boca, I would go tomorrow," Riquelme said.

He elaborated:

"I am grateful to the people there and it's my club in addition to Boca. It's a part of my life. I will always love Villareal. They treated me really well and if they need me I'll be there. I'm sure they'll do well anyways, but if they want, I'd take a plane and go there."

Riquelme addressed his exit from the club after a good stay, saying that it wasn't his relationship with Pellegrini, but that he had some problems with some men in the front office who are still at Villareal. 

"I always say that in life we must be grateful," the 33-year-old Argentine asserted. "It's true that we had some problems with Llaneza and Roig (Villareal officials)...but, again, Villareal is my club and I am grateful no matter what. We all make mistakes."

Riquelme made an instant impact at Boca upon joining the club, recording two assists in his second match with the club. 

The Argentine midfielder has become a hero in his native country for his stint with Boca, the team that he began his career with. 

It is unknown how much impact Riquelme would have with his former club at age 33 now; however, Villareal would take any help they could get, as they are currently in 17th place in the La Liga table—one spot above the relegation line. 

Villareal finished fourth place in La Liga when Riquelme left in the club in 2007. 

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