Esquerdo: "Playing for the first team is something that you don't believe to start with"

On November 30th, 2019, Vicente Esquerdo made his debut for the Valencia CF first team. The young talent would play a further three games before the end of last season, and is now one of the VCF Academy products training under new coach Javi Gracia.

Esquerdo spoke with VCF Media in the midst of the 2020/21 preseason, in which he has already featured in the club's friendly encounters to date.

"As teammates of mine have said, being with the first team is a unique experience. You're with some very good players, working alongside them. It's a good opportunity and it's very special," comments Esquerdo, who is making the most of the playing time given to him.

"We have a formidable group, who don’t change how they treat you. They are top people. I can't say anything else, because they have treated me very well. They've treated not only me, but other teammates as well, with respect, as if we were all the same," he says of the welcome given to him by the senior squad regulars.

Esquerdo adds that the progress he has made is a big achievement that has him hungry for more.

"This is my eighth season at Valencia CF, if I'm not mistaken. When you're little, you look at other teams when they play, but in the end you want the team you are part of to win. It makes you a Valencia CF fan. Playing for the first team is something that you don't believe to start with, but then you get more confidence and realise that it is really happening, that you're here and that you have to enjoy it as much as possible."

"A lot of players are coming through from the VCF Academy. That makes you realise that this is a showcase for you to play and demonstrate what you can do. That's what trusting in the VCF Academy is about. We've been taught this since we got here, and it gives us the confidence to believe that everything we do here has its reward."