Just as a party is often the most fun if it just happens, there is a big surprise in the Spanish press after fantastic play by Aarón Mayol, who would never have been taken out for the team under manager Carlos Corberán “lost” his job three days ago.
The Elche team won their first game yesterday against Alavés, but the big surprise was a young player from the reserve team who stood out among everyone.
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Aarón Mayol, an 18-year-old midfielder, has made the step up to the first team and is making headlines at Valencia CF thanks to the trust of Óscar Sánchez. The interim coach earned him a place in the starting eleven against Deportivo Alavés in La Liga – just one year after joining from Levante’s youth academy, with a contract signed until 2029.
The decision wasn’t just symbolic. Mayol played in a double pivot alongside Guido Rodríguez and completed almost the entire match at Mendizorroza, where Valencia secured their first win of the season with a 0-1 thanks to Luis Rioja’s goal.
Mayol responds to Óscar Sánchez’s chance
Aarón Mayol was one of the newcomers Óscar Sánchez introduced into his first starting eleven after he replaced Carlos Corberán. The coach knew the player from their time at VCF Mestalla and chose to use him directly as a midfielder in a match in the Primera División.
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The player responded by staying on the pitch throughout the match, despite a yellow card in the second half. He took part in recaptures, started play alongside Guido and gave Javi Guerra more freedom to move forward in the opponent’s half of the field.
His performance against Alavés marks another step in a development that began just a year ago. Mayol joined Valencia CF in 2025 from Levante’s academy and started last season with the Juvenil first team.
He then moved up to VCF Mestalla, where he played 8 games in the Segunda Federación and started in 6 of them. The development led the club to extend his contract until 2029 in May.
From right-back to midfielder in La Liga
Aarón Mayol’s natural position is in midfield, although during the pre-season he had to play as a right-back. Carlos Corberán used him in that role for five games due to a lack of specific options in the position.
Óscar Sánchez decided to move him back to midfield against Alavés. Together with Guido Rodríguez, they formed a partnership that provided balance in the middle of the pitch, while giving Guerra more freedom to move forward and take up attacking positions.
Corberán had already introduced Mayol to the first team during the previous season. The former coach included him in a LaLiga squad in February, but he had to wait until September to make his official debut in the Spanish top flight.
The change of coach hastened his opportunity. Óscar Sánchez has worked closely with several academy players and included six youth candidates in the squad in his first game in charge of the first team.
Aarón Mayol impresses Valencia
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His next opportunity comes against Real Sociedad at the Mestalla. The performance at Vitoria positions Mayol as a real option to remain in the rotation while the club decides on a permanent head coach.
For Aarón Mayol, the challenge is no longer just about making the matchday squad. After making his debut as a starter and completing his first experience in LaLiga, the upcoming matches will determine whether he secures a stable place in Valencia’s first team and confirms in Spain the leap he started just a year ago from the academy.
