Valencia’s smart new kit is out – and it’s not what people expected

Thankfully/sadly, we've all been duped.

Nothing shows the power and influence of social media like football rumour and gossip. The close season creates a perfect internet environment for bullshit proliferation thanks to the sheer thirst that people have for any morsel of information. It is usually bedroom in-the-knows who take advantage of this by sharing their made up transfer stories from imaginary sources, but occasionally you get quite a inventive prank slipping through too. Such is the case with Valencia's new home kit for season 2016/17. For the last few days, the internet has been abuzz with rumours that this rather garish design would be worn at the Mestalla Stadium in the coming campaign... https://twitter.com/ffsneville/status/750682350154055680 Part of what made it so convincing is that Valencia youngster Santi Mina was pictured wearing the colourful monstrosity in what looked like official photoshoot images. Alas it was just the 20-year-old playing a little joke on us all. He admitted so on Thursday afternoon... https://twitter.com/ffsneville/status/750693553114873856 But what of the real strip? Well that has now been unveiled by adidas and it is altogether more stylish and classy. Feast your eyes on these babies... https://twitter.com/eaamalyon/status/751373542202155008 Admittedly the lack of sponsor does help, but the black away kit in particular is a thing of beauty - and no Evel Knievel stars in sight...