Valencia assess centre-back options after Cömert injury | OneFootball

Eray Cömert’s injury against Elche CF has deepened Valencia’s defensive problems, and both Cömert and Unai Núñez will miss RCD Mallorca, leaving César Tárrega needing a partner.

According to Superdeporte, Valencia had already lost Mouctar Diakhaby to a long-term issue, then José Copete suffered a similar setback, which left Tárrega, Núñez and the Swiss defender as the remaining options.

The senior squad has no further natural centre-backs. Pepelu is the only player to have filled in there this season, and the Denia-born midfielder, on the fringes since Guido Rodríguez arrived, could return to the line-up in defence.

If Carlos Corberán wants a recognised centre-back, he would need to do what he has not done all season, promote an academy player in La Liga. The B team offers several profiles to weigh up.

The most ready by experience is Rubén Iranzo, now over an injury and able to cover right-back or centre-back. The club blocked a move last summer for precisely such a scenario, yet whenever minutes were available the coach chose other solutions.

Beyond Iranzo, Alejandro Panach debuted in the Copa del Rey against much lower-tier opposition but did not kick on. Joel Fontanet, recently renewed, has made several squads without debuting.

The revelation of the second half of the season has been signing Amos Wanjala, a Kenya international. He has impressed for Mestalla and, at 19, is pushing for a plan that would lift him above Segunda RFEF next season.

Source: Superdeporte