Field Insider
Centre-backSpainLa Liga

Pepelu

Key starterValencia · 28 yrsStarter
58.8
±0%
Ratingi
32.9
±0%
Seasoni
23.4
Valuei

based on the 2025/26 season · updated 20 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameJosé Luis García Vayá
PositionCentre-back
NationalitySpain
Age28
Date of birth11 Aug 1998
BirthplaceDénia
Height185 cm
Shirt number#18
ClubValencia
More about Pepelu →
Centre-backalso played MID

Season stats

Full career & schedule →
9
Appearances
0
Goals
0
Assists
748
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Valencia.

Scout report

Key starterCentral defender

Pepelu is a 28-year-old central defender at Valencia, rated 58.8 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 74th of 140 on scout potential in the La Liga. An experienced operator, he has been a regular starter this season (65.3% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 3.63 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Pepelu.

Judged on this season alone, Pepelu graded 31 — a solid campaign that ranks top 35% of the 32 centre-backs in the La Liga, on 6 clean sheets and 3.629 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 33 → 33). Over the 7 seasons on record his form has held fairly steady, peaking in 2023/24.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 59, 18th of 32 of the 32 centre-backs in the La Liga. At 28 Pepelu is in his prime years, and a market index of 23.4 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

Below his 2023/24 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.

Peak: 2023/24Holding levelBreakout: 2023/24Stepped up 2023/24
Current potential18th of 32 centre-backs · La LigaCurrent seasonTop 35% centre-backs · La Liga11th-best centre-back in the La Liga74th in the La Liga · potential18th-highest potential centre-back in the La Liga
58.8
Ratingi
18th of 32 centre-backs
31.4
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
65.3%
Minutes
a regular starter
3.63
Def. actions / 90
solid defensive volume

Output in context · Valencia finished 9th of 20 · a mid-table side

31
Apps
3.63
Def. / 90
60
Tackles
20
Interceptions
6
Clean sheets

3.63 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — solid defensive volume, with 6 clean sheets across 31 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 2 goals and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Availability. On the pitch for 65.3% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
  • Defensive volume. 3.63 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — does the unseen work.
  • Pedigree. Performing in a top-tier setting (team strength 92/100).

Watch points

  • Few red flags. No obvious weaknesses in the current-season profile — consistency is the next test.

Outlook

With a Rating of 58.8, Pepelu carries the 18th-highest potential of the centre-backs in the La Liga of 32. Defensively he reads as solid defensive volume (3.63 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1.2× now → 0.9× projected in three years).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among centre-backs in the La Liga with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals2

Passing

Assists0

Defending

Tackles60
Interceptions20
Blocks10

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards4
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.