Baptiste Santamaria’s Challenging Transition to Valencia

The signing of Baptiste Santamaria came as a surprise for Valencia last summer. The club was in search of a traditional defensive midfielder, a ‘6’, but the economic circumstances at the time offered little room for maneuver. The directive was clear: avoid spending on that position and invest in others instead.

Suddenly, Valencia found itself linked to a 30-year-old midfielder, Baptiste Santamaria. Although he had not previously stood out in his career, he reliably fulfilled his duties and had only a brief international experience in the Bundesliga before returning to France.

Valencia targeted a player who seemed to have already reached his potential in Ligue 1, facing the significant challenge of adapting to Spanish football and playing for Valencia. The agreement between clubs was relatively straightforward, aligning with the club’s current demands.

Santamaria was known for his physical strength; however, increased competitiveness in Ligue 1 had diminished his capabilities in recent years. Transitioning from a physically demanding league to one that emphasizes technical skill could potentially benefit the French player, allowing him to perform at a more comfortable level given his physical condition.

Experts consulted regarding Santamaria described him as an ‘unknown’ who had a significant opportunity ahead. They noted, “In La Liga, he will face less physical demand due to the more technical nature of the football, which will allow him to better exploit his qualities at the age of 30,” as they shared with MARCA.

Unfortunately, this potential has not materialized. After initial evaluations by the coaching staff, it became clear that Santamaria arrived at Valencia in less than optimal physical condition. He had to exert considerable effort to reach a competitive level. Nevertheless, his performances have declined over time, and he has struggled to secure a regular position in the team. Recently, he has been seen less frequently, often relegated to the role of a substitute, appearing only under rare circumstances.

In the past two months, Santamaria has started only one match, which took place against Cartagena in the Copa del Rey, where he was also sent off.

To date, he has participated in 17 matches—15 in La Liga and two in the Copa—accumulating fewer than 900 minutes on the pitch, scoring one goal and providing two assists. While he initially enjoyed more confidence from coach Corberán and was a starter in several matches, his involvement has significantly decreased since the painful 4-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu.