Valencia Club de Fútbol is caught in a cold war between coach Carlos Corberán and players Raba and Santamaría, which has become the main focus for the club's 2026‑27 season. Currently, Valencia Club de Fútbol sits ninth in La Liga with 49 pts, 13 W‑10 D‑15 L and a recent form of WWDWL.

What sparked the split?

The trigger was the way Corberán communicated the decision to exclude the two players. Instead of a face‑to‑face talk, the coach informed director Gourlay, who then passed the message to the squad in meetings at the end of May and early June. The players, still under a one‑year contract, felt sidelined and accused the staff of disrespect.

How does it impact the squad?

Raba and Santamaría remain on the roster, but their role has been reduced to that of “residuals”. Both know they will not feature in the upcoming campaign and that their involvement will be minimal, similar to last season. The lack of direct conversation has created a tense atmosphere in the locker room and has hampered pre‑season preparations at Paterna.

What does the coach say?

Corberán has reiterated that he does not need the two players in the main group and has left the club to convey the decision. Close sources say the coach prefers to avoid direct confrontations to keep the rest of the team stable, although that approach has drawn criticism from the players themselves.

What can fans expect?

Supporters of Valencia Club de Fútbol will watch closely how this dispute is resolved before the team enters the decisive part of the calendar. With 46 goals scored and 55 conceded, the club sits 45 pts behind leaders Barcelona, highlighting the need to steady the dressing room to avoid a deeper slide in the table.

The future of Raba and Santamaría remains uncertain, but public pressure and lack of clarity could force an exit before the summer window closes.