He Valencia It was the club with the greatest and best representation in the Spanish team in the last European Sub21played last summer: Diego López (2002), Javi Guerra (2003), César Tárrega (2003) and Cristhian Mosquera (2004) They posed together for a photo that represented the bet of the black and white club for a generation of youth players who had taken a step forward in some difficult years.
The then coach, Saints Déniahe knew he could trust four players who had helped support his team in different critical stages in the League, with relegation at stake: “It is important that they have minutes at the highest level“They are earning it with their work and with the coach’s trust.”
In the Under 21 European Championship last summer, in addition to the four footballers They were fixed, In the group stage they were chosen ‘player of the match’Tarrega (vs. Slovakia) and Javi Guerra (against Romania).
They have passed 300 days exactly from that photo that the Spanish Football Federation with the four Valencia players and that has certainly aged badly for the black and white club. Of the four, Flycatcher –what was transferred to Arsenal in summer– has been released in this friendly window as an absolute international. And the other three They fell due to a generational issue: none could participate in the 2027 European Under 21 Championship (for those born from 2004 onwards).
The original photo as released by the RFEF.RFEF
Neither does he team performance Not even the individual Diego López, Tárrega and Javi Guerra would have placed them at any time as bets for Luis de la Fuente. The one that had the most consistency in the first part of the season – in which Valencia conceded quite a few goals – was Cesar Tarrega who, after being injured, has fallen out of Carlos Corberán’s lineups. The Alaquás plant has participated in 23 parties (1,786 minutes). It has had less regularity Diego Lopez. After a spectacular season 2024-25 (8 goals and 5 assists)the Asturian attacker has been losing presence in the team this season in which he has been 26 games (1,331 minutes, 3 goals).
Another road with ups and downs has traveled Javi Guerra, who started out as a starter, stopped being one, even stayed in the dock some matches, and now he feels important again with Guido in the Valencian midfield. Gilet’s 8 carries 28 League games (1,498 minutes, with one goal and three assists).
Obviously it is almost impossible for in a World Cup year a team that has been fighting even in relegation positions provides players that attract the attention of a coach. Besides, the generational change has been interrupted also in the Valencia quarry.
After the summer, Mosquera not only stayed in the red already as captain, due to his experience and number of games. His recurring appearances with the Arsenal They have allowed Luis de la Fuente to also call him to the senior team and have him as a key asset for the future. The Alicante center back made his debut in the friendly match against Serbia on March 27 at La Cerámica.
Vicent Abril and Yarek Gasiorowski, with Spain Sub 21.RFEF
Vicent Abril, third goalkeeper in the Sub 21
With the new Under 21 coach, in this call there is only two players with some Valencian connection. The goalkeeper Vincent Abrilin first team dynamics with Carlos Corberanafter Agirrezabala’s injury, has been released on David Gordo’s list, as third goalkeeper. The other is Yarek Gasiorowski (2005), transferred to PSV In the summer, he started with the Dutch team and was a permanent fixture in the red team. Yarek, in fact, did start playing in the League and Champions League with the Dutch club, although he has been alternating for a few days with the bench.
Neither José Luis Gayá has recovered the level that made him permanent in the senior team and for which Luis de la Fuente was willing to wait for him before the Euro 2024 when he was seriously injured (and had to undergo surgery) before the end of the season.
Valencia now hopes that the bet that the technicians did in their day -Guerra and Tárrega debuted in the League with Deck; Diego López, with Gattuso– and the club last summer, with the three renewals, served to take advantage of the maturity of these players with optimal performance in the team.
