Gayà to equal Saura with 400th Valencia appearance | OneFootball

José Luis Gayà will mark his 400th Valencia appearance in Oviedo on Saturday. The captain will draw level with club great Enrique Saura.

According to AS, he is on 399 and will reach 400 at the Carlos Tartiere, becoming the club’s seventh most-used player. Only Santiago Cañizares 416, Manuel Mestre 424, Miguel Ángel Angulo 434, David Albelda 485, Ricardo Arias 521 and Fernando Gómez 553 will be ahead.

Saura called 400 a significant figure, not within everyone’s reach, and said being overtaken would be an honour that shows Gayà’s value. He hoped Gayà plays many more and, if he can, surpasses Fernando Gómez, though he accepted that will not be easy.

Saura captained Valencia for 10 years from 1975 to 1985 and, beyond his 400 games, won the Copa del Rey, the Recopa and the Supercopa de Europa.

Head coach Carlos Corberán said only a select few reach 400 at Valencia, name-checking Fernando, Arias, Albelda, Angulo and Cañizares. He underlined how important it is to have José in the squad.

Gayà’s 399 outings are split across Liga 334, Copa del Rey 34, Champions 18, Europa League 11 and Supercopa de España 2. He has 12 goals and 44 assists, with the 2019 Copa del Rey his standout triumph. The milestone comes during a difficult spell for the club, his commitment and humility long established.

Source: AS