Gonzalo Verdú or how to find a 'kaiser' in Segunda B

Soccer sometimes rewards the passion with which you practice the profession, no matter what category you come from. Play with the same illusion in Third, Second B, Second … It does not matter as long as you dress short and enjoy. Playing in each field, no matter how modest, as if it were one of the Champions League mats, with that seriousness. This is how they think of Gonzalo Verdú, the Elche center-back debuting in the First Division at 32 years of age and who has become one of the defensive revelations of the championship. Verdú has traveled with Elche all for that, perhaps together with Nino, who was the one whose eyes shone the most after that final promotion playoff won against Girona.

Elche, under the tutelage of Pacheta, played a promotion – as was said before – of honors in competitive matters. Perhaps others had more resources, but the people of Elche built their success, among other things, on bomb-proof strength. And there, Gonzalo Verdú was more than important. Leader, solvent, cold, with extensive knowledge of how to play the moments of the match and without complications. A recital in the promotion and fulfill the great dream of dressing in a First Class dressing room. And there, in the Santander League, and with Almirón as coach, things have not changed at all. He is the only outfield player who has played it all for the franjiverde team. Elche left Villarreal to zero on the last day and sails tenth with three wins, five draws and only two losses. It is the fifth team that receives the least of the championship and Emery's suffered it in their flesh.

Verdú gave a recital. Eight of ten games won, four punts, three interceptions, seven recoveries and two fouls received. And he did not have to resort to the infraction to stop an opponent throughout the game. A pristine afternoon of a central that marks its territory. To that he added his usual intangibles of coverage, surveillance and control of spaces. There is no better way for a newly promoted than to manage his back with confidence and have a kaiser to pack that line. Who was going to tell Elche that he found him in Second B in 2017.

It is true that the ecosystem helps. In Elche, a tight team that leaves very little space, it is easier to shine with such a profile. It happens to others. But it is no less true that having an impact like this with 32 years in the category is not up to everyone. Even less when you come to row among the most modest ships. Verdú has come all the way with Elche, which he arrived in 2017 from Cartagena in Segunda B, with whom he had played 54 games in two seasons. Before, Guadalajara, Córdoba B, Orihuela, Osasuna B… Verdú even tried the Third Division. In 2011 he had made his debut in the Liga Adelante with Albacete, but from there it was forged in modest football until 2017. Then Jorge Cordero recruited him to play in Second B with Elche and the rest is already the history of the good of the Elche club. The soccer player, advised by RGfootball, has nothing to envy the leaders of the area so far in the League and proof of his passion for detail is that he already has a sports director's card. Clubs often go crazy looking beyond borders, ignoring modest football. Verdú serves as an encouragement to those players who see the elite sideways as something very far away.