Corberán wants Hugo Duro and Pepelu to stay at Valencia | OneFootball

AS reports that Carlos Corberán told Scottish executive Ron Gourlay during meetings at Valencia’s Paterna training ground last week that he wants Hugo Duro and Pepelu in his squad. Neither the forward nor the midfielder are on the market, although in the current financial context the club will listen to and assess any offer that suits club and players.

Corberán values their performance and mentality, particularly in the decisive run-in when the margin for error was small and scrutiny around the head coach grew at Mestalla. Since January, after the arrivals of Sadiq and Guido, both faced similar challenges yet prioritised the collective.

Hugo Duro finished as Valencia’s top scorer for the third straight season, with more than 10 goals, despite being in and out of the starting XI, a pattern that deepened after Sadiq returned in January.

He earned starts in the final four league matches, against Athletic, Rayo, Real Sociedad and Barcelona. Valencia did not lose any of the 10 league games in which he scored, winning eight and drawing two.

Pepelu has been among the players Corberán spoke most highly of in the past six weeks. Used at centre-back against Mallorca and Girona, he helped deliver a draw and a win that were vital late in the season.

That Mallorca display followed a spell of only 16 minutes across the previous seven league games once Guido reached fitness. He was then restored to start six of the final seven fixtures.

Source: AS