Eleven reserve-team players have begun pre-season with Valencia as the club prepare to return to Liga F.
None is guaranteed a place in the squad, but all have an opportunity to show Mikel Crespo that they can become part of his new project.
They are goalkeepers Gemma Pastor and Rocío Pardo; defenders Laia Alepuz, Julia Catalán and Cristina Tormo; midfielders Zahra Bains, Saray López and Claudia Tendillo; and forwards Irene Soler, Noa Marchena and Elena Sánchez.
Nine of the eleven came through Valencia’s academy. The exceptions are Irene Soler, who arrived from Levante last summer, and Zahra Bains, who joined from Canada during the winter transfer window.
Their opportunity follows a particularly successful season across the club’s women’s teams.
The first team earned promotion to Liga F, the reserves went up to Segunda Federación, the C team reached Tercera Federación and the D team secured a place in Autonómica Valenta. Four teams and four promotions that are now beginning to produce individual opportunities.
Part of the promotion-winning core remains
Valencia needed only one season to return to the top flight.
Crespo’s side finished third in Primera Federación with 46 points and went up through the play-offs, where their higher position in the regular-season table ultimately settled the final against Villarreal.
The Liga F squad is being built around part of that group. Crespo remains in charge, while the club have extended the contracts of Marta Mascarell, an academy graduate, and Esther Gómez, among others.
Nazareth Martín will also stay after making 25 appearances and scoring three goals during the promotion campaign. The centre-back spent last season on loan from Sevilla and has now joined Valencia permanently on a contract until 2028.
Seven additions and different kinds of experience
Valencia have completed seven signings this summer.
Débora García returns to the club after five seasons with Sevilla. The full-back previously represented Valencia between 2016 and 2019 and is preparing for her 21st campaign in the top flight.
Lucía Moral ‘Wifi’ has also arrived from Sevilla, while Carolina Marín strengthens midfield after playing for Levante. Camila Sáez joins from Bristol City and Alice Pinguet arrives from Saint-Étienne to reinforce the goalkeeping department.
Salomé Prat spent last season with Logroño on loan from Benfica. Nazareth completes the seven additions after turning last season’s loan into a permanent move.
Valencia’s pre-season group therefore combines players with Liga F experience, members of the promotion-winning side and eleven reserve-team footballers attempting to make the step up.
Taking part in pre-season does not mean that all eleven will earn a first-team place. It does show that the academy’s progress is beginning to feed into the squad preparing for life back in the top flight.
Valencia have already made it back to Liga F. The eleven reserve-team players are working to join them.