Valencia Derby: A Shift in Local Representation

omidbasir- This Friday, the pitch at Mestalla will witness the Valencia derby, yet it will feature a surprisingly low number of local players. Only eight individuals from both squads hail from the ‘terreta’, a stark contrast to previous seasons when the Levante team boasted numerous homegrown players, often showcasing eight Valencia natives in their lineup.

The Valencia side has been somewhat insulated from this decline, largely due to its stringent youth development policy in response to economic challenges. Currently, the team includes Rivero (the third-choice goalkeeper) along with four key starters from Valencia: Guerra, Pepelu, Tárrega, and captain Gayà.

In contrast, the situation for Levante is more challenging. Of the three Valencian players on the roster, none hold starting positions. Pablo Campos (the reserve goalkeeper), along with Víctor García and Espí, have seen limited playing time. Over the years, Levante has gradually lost its local talent; a decade ago, the club featured eight Valencian players, and even last season, it fielded eight local athletes, including Andrés García, Iborra, Espí, Xavi Grande, Lozano, Primo, Sellés, and Navarro. This season, however, only three remain, and they carry considerably less influence within the squad.

Meanwhile, Valencia maintains a more stable presence of homegrown talent. The past decade has seen significant contributions from local players such as Soler, Ferran, Guillaron, Jaume, and Gayà, who have consistently transitioned into impactful roles on the first team. The likes of Soldado, who has represented both clubs, and the recent emergence of Pepelu, further illustrate this trend.

However, with Levante’s decline this season, the local representation may diminish further, as it appears that only Valencia will feature homegrown players on the field. This trend extends to the coaching staff as well, with Valencia’s Corberán hailing from Cheste, while Levante’s Calero is originally from Parla, Madrid.

If Oriols loses the on-field and coaching battle for local representation, it does secure a victory in the boardroom. The majority shareholder of Levante, Pepe Danvila, is a native of the ‘terreta’, whereas Valencia’s majority stakeholder resides in Singapore and is less likely to attend matches in person.