Enzo Perez "surprised" by Valencia captaincy

Lyon's Spanish midfielder Sergi Darder (L) vies with Valencia's Argentinian midfielder Enzo Perez (C) during the UEFA Champions League football match Valencia CF vs Olympique Lyonnais at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on December 9, 2015.
© Getty Images
Argentine midfielder Enzo Perez says that he is 'honoured and privileged' to be appointed Valencia captain for the 2016-17 campaign.

Enzo Perez has admitted that he was "surprised" to be handed the Valencia captaincy this season.

The Argentine midfielder, who was limited to just 11 La Liga appearances last term due to injury, only joined Los Che from Benfica in January 2015.

However, the 30-year-old was handed the armband by head coach Pako Ayestaran after Paco Alcacer made the move to Barcelona in the latter stages of the summer transfer window.

"I never imagined that I'd be given the captaincy, it surprised me," Perez told reporters. "It's a role that requires hard work and the respect of your teammates, so I'm really looking forward to it. Being the captain of Valencia is an honour and a privilege."

Valencia currently sit bottom of La Liga after losing their opening two matches of the 2016-17 campaign.

Paco Alcacer celebrates scoring for Valencia against Gijon on September 12, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico74301421215
2Real Madrid7430167915
3Sevilla74211310314
4Barcelona741222101213
5Villarreal734094513
6Athletic Bilbao7403108212
7Las PalmasLas Palmas73221613311
8EibarEibar732297211
9Real Sociedad731399010
10Celta Vigo7313911-210
11Leganes7313710-310
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13Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo722356-18
14Malaga722379-28
15Real Betis7223812-48
16Sporting GijonSporting Gijon7214616-107
17Espanyol7133914-56
18Valencia7205914-56
19Osasuna7034715-83
20Granada7025716-92