Valencia CF coach’s press conference prior to the match against CD Utrillas.

How is Gabriel Paulista? Have you consulted with a doctor outside the club?

We know that he is still injured and opinions are being sought, but the injury that he has is something of which we are aware, and now we are thinking of getting him back as soon as possible, so that he can help us. He is a very important player for us.

How important is the Copa del Rey to you?

I attach great importance to it. I personally like it a lot; it is an official competition that Valencia CF recently won, and we are going to have all the desire in the world to go as far as possible this year. Tomorrow is the first fixture and we are ready to face it.

The president has travelled to Singapore. Are you planning to travel there too?

In principle it was planned, but due to the increase in positive cases of COVID-19 infections, the decision was made to postpone the trip. Our president had to go because he had not seen his family for a long time, and because of personal and professional matters that he had to attend to. We will have the opportunity in the future.

How important will the VCF Academy be in this first Copa del Rey tie?

Only three players from the youth team can participate during the game, as the competition does not allow us to have more players. We must control that. We cannot face this competition thinking that with players from the youth team we will have more than enough to go through; nothing is further from reality. We cannot leave the responsibility to the young players, and we have to line up a team that gives us guarantees to go through.

Will you have a video call with Peter Lim?

I’m sure that we are going to have a video meeting shortly. That’s what I had spoken about with Peter Lim. We are moving into the month of December and we will have it shortly.

Is there a player who has communicated their wish to leave in the winter transfer market? What positions would you like to reinforce?

No player has commented to me that he wants to leave Valencia CF at the moment. Another thing is what he could be thinking, and if he wants to have more minutes at another team. We have spoken internally, and the club know the needs we have  to improve and to cover in the squad in the winter market.

What has happened to cause so many relapses of the injuries for some players?

Coaches are always concerned about not being able to have all the players in the squad, and that there are injury relapses. In the end, it is the club that decides what level of information it has to convey. I can only give the details of the players that we can use, and those that we cannot. I am not an expert on injuries. Obviously I am concerned that there have been relapses, with the last one that of Gabriel Paulista. Relapses are situations that occur, and we cannot say the reasons. Sometimes there are relapses that we cannot control. I can’t give any more information.

César Tárrega has the chance to travel to Utrillas. Is he the best player to travel, over other young players such as Rubén Iranzo and Facu González?

In terms of potential, everything is an opinion. Depending on the characteristics of the player and the needs of the team, you choose one player over another. I really like Christian Mosquera, but unfortunately he got injured. He could even have made his debut in LaLiga by now. All of them are good players, and depending on the needs and the game, we choose between them. Tomorrow we are going to a small pitch, against a team that plays directly, with a very strong forward line. We analyse things based on what we are going to have in front of us. Iranzo has also trained with us and has possibilities to be used.

What do you think about the last game to be played this year being on December 31?

I think that I saw that Valencia CF are the team with the fewest rest days. It doesn't seem fair to me. I am convinced that there will be a modification and it will be adapted so that Valencia CF do not lose out. We would have fewer days off and fewer days to prepare for the games.”