Jack of all trades: Pepelu's wild 2026 ride at Valencia
From midfield maestro to emergency goalkeeper and makeshift centre-back, Pepelu García has become Corberán's Swiss Army knife at Valencia - but competition looms.
Valencia’s utility man Pepelu García is redefining versatility while winning over his manager, despite the club eyeing new midfield competition.
From outcast to indispensable
Pepelu García’s 2026 has been nothing short of remarkable at Mestalla. After struggling through the early months of the 2024-25 campaign and initially failing to impress Carlos Corberán when the Cheste-born manager arrived, the Denia native has transformed himself into one of the gaffer’s most trusted lieutenants.
Corberán has leaned heavily on Pepelu during Valencia’s sporting crisis that lasted until November. The manager cleverly repositioned him deeper in midfield to help build play from the back, with the team showing marked improvement in December as a result.
The ultimate utility player
But 2026 has started in bizarre fashion for the Valencia midfielder. He’s become Corberán’s go-to problem solver in increasingly strange scenarios:
-
Emergency goalkeeper: In Valencia’s first match of the year against Celta Vigo, Pepelu donned the gloves after Agirrezabala’s injury when no substitutions remained. While largely ceremonial, the image of the midfielder finishing the match at Balaídos in the Basque keeper’s gloves won’t be forgotten.
-
Makeshift centre-back: During the recent clash with Getafe at the Coliseum, Tárrega’s injury forced Pepelu to abandon his midfield duties and slot into central defence. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision – he’d been training for this contingency, with Comert only half-fit despite making the squad.
Corberán’s public praise
The Valencia boss hasn’t been shy about singing Pepelu’s praises in recent weeks. After the Getafe match, Corberán highlighted the player’s adaptability: “The personality of a footballer can often make up for lack of experience in a position. Pepelu has shown that personality.”
Corberán was equally effusive following Pepelu’s penalty against Elche in the 87th minute with Valencia trailing 0-1, especially impressive after missing from the spot in Vigo. “The personality and courage Pepelu showed can’t be trained,” the manager declared proudly.
Competition on the horizon
Despite Pepelu’s renaissance, Valencia have identified a significant gap in their squad. The club has been crying out for a physically imposing midfielder for years, having been forced to make do without one for too long.
The decision appears final – Valencia will sign a robust number 6, potentially threatening the minutes of current midfield options Pepelu, Almeida and Ugrinic, who’ve formed Corberán’s preferred trio in recent matches.
For Pepelu, this means his remarkable versatility might need to extend even further if he’s to maintain his place in the starting XI. The Spanish midfielder has certainly shown he’s up for any challenge – goalkeeper gloves and all.