Corberán hails José Luis Gayà as Valencia captain set to reach 400 appearances | OneFootball

José Luis Gayà is set to make his 400th appearance for Valencia at Real Oviedo tomorrow, a landmark Corberán has underlined before a key trip. The match matters in extending the cushion to the drop and pushing higher up the table.

According to Superdeporte, the Carlos Tartiere fixture will spotlight the captain, whose longevity places him among the club’s greats.

In his pre-match press conference, Corberán said 400 games for Valencia is extraordinary, for a select few. He cited Fernando Gómez Colomer, Santiago Cañizares, Miguel Ángel Angulo, David Albelda and Ricardo Arias as ahead of him, adding that having José at that level is hugely important.

The coach said the milestone reflects Gayà’s commitment, consistency and professionalism. He values the leadership of such experienced players in the dressing room, their help for younger team-mates, and the way they reinforce Valencia’s identity on and off the pitch.

Gayà, from Pedreguer, has remained steadfast despite dips in form. On 18 January he struck in the 86th minute at Getafe to clinch Valencia’s first away win of the season, starting five wins in eight league matches that eased relegation fears and lifted the side.

Reaching 400 will see him draw level with Enrique Saura as the seventh most-used player in Valencia’s history. Ahead are Cañizares on 416, Manolo Mestre 424, Angulo 434, Albelda 485, Arias 521 and Fernando Gómez Colomer 553.

While the milestone will be marked by supporters, Valencia’s focus remains on taking three points against the bottom club and sustaining momentum.

Source: Superdeporte