Guerrero becomes latest LaLiga debutant

Adrián Guerrero became the latest VCF Academy player to make his debut for Valencia CF in LaLiga when he came on against Granada on Matchday 34. The full back was one of the VCF Mestalla players brought in to train with the first team following the return to action after the COVID-19 pandemic suspended the season.

He began warming up in the final minutes of the first half, coming on at the start of the second period to replace Jaume Costa. It was his first appearance at the elite level, and he is the third VCF Academy product to debut in LaLiga this season, after Vicente Esquerdo and Hugo Guillamón.

Born in Blanes (Girona) on February 28th, 1998, Guerrero joined Valencia CF in January of 2019 from Reus Deportiu. Prior to that, he had begun his career at Vilassar de Mar, joining the FC Barcelona youth ranks thereafter and playing there for seven seasons.

Guerrero became one of the VCF Mestalla captains and a cornerstone of Chema Sanz' side, featuring in 28 Segunda B games this campaign.

"I'm never going to forget it. It was also the first time that I was named in a first team squad, which was already great. I knew I could be making my debut, and there's always that hope, but you don't expect it to come so quickly," he said of his maiden appearance.

"On the Friday session I trained with the first team, although normally we youth team players train apart so that there aren't so many people. I knew that Rodrigo was injured and that Ferran was also carrying a knock. I thought I might get into the squad, but you don't believe it until you're told."

"I was sat down during the first half and Juan Monar called me over. At first I didn't believe it, and thought that they were sending me to get something for the dressing room or whatever. I was warming up with Florenzo, so I thought that, of the two of us, if one of us came on then it would be him."

Guerrero was spoken to by Chema Sanz, his coach this season at VCF Mestalla and assistant to Voro González, before his introduction.

"He told me to enjoy it and to do what I have been doing in the youth team -and to be focused. The majority of my teammates came over and told me to keep calm, to do what I know I can and enjoy myself. I was nervous for the first few minutes, but I loosened up gradually and felt comfortable."