Features
THU 07.02.2019
Dani Parejo is the focal point for Marcelino's Valencia CF. The captain of the team has hit his prime after recently signing a new contract. He is now playing his eighth season for the club and has become one of its most emblematic players.
Parejo is the epitome of balance, control and leadership. He is no slouch in front of goal either. The Valencia captain is enjoying the finest goalscoring form of his life and is the team's top scorer this season, with a haul of six. Since he signed for the club back in the 2012/12 season, his best return in front of goal was in 2014/15 with a total of 11. He is well on track to outdo his previous record this year.
However, this does not mean that Parejo is shirking his defensive duties: He is the Valencia player who has won the ball back on the most occasions (161) this term. Against FC Barcelona he produced one of his finest displays of the season, providing Kevin Gameiro with the assist for the first goal and dispatching the second himself from the penalty spot.
Marcelino's side are at the top of their game at the moment and appear to have put their early-season jitters behind them. Parejo is Valencia's playmaker and has completed 1,350 successful passes, more than any other player in the squad. In addition to pitching in with defensive duties, he is playing an increasingly prominent role going forward.
The statistics exemplify just how vital Parejo is for Valencia. He has played 310 games for the club in all competitions, scored 49 goals and given 51 assists. He has also opened the scoring on four occasions. Dani Parejo is the heart and soul of Valencia, both on and off the pitch.
© LALIGA - 2019
