The assessment of the 25-26 season for the UD Las Palmas academy presents figures that question the genuine commitment to young talents. Despite stated intentions, coach Luis García Fernández only gave opportunities to two reserve team players in the 44 games played: midfielder Iván Medina and full-back Valentín Pezzolesi. In total, they accumulated a mere 94 minutes of playing time.
Iván Medina made his debut in the promotion playoff semifinals, playing a total of seven minutes spread across the first and second legs against Málaga. Meanwhile, Valentín Pezzolesi, who had already debuted the previous season, saw his involvement increase due to the absence of teammates like Viti Rozada and Marvin Park. Pezzolesi accumulated 87 minutes over five matches, experiencing notable ups and downs throughout the season, including a red card and crucial contributions in decisive moments, such as the match against Almería.
The UD Las Palmas academy model is contrasted with that of Málaga, who will compete in the promotion final with 14 players from their own academy. Coach Luis García Fernández's words at his presentation, where he stressed the need to trust the academy and provide real opportunities, stand in contrast to the season's reality, where the academy players' debuts occurred during high-pressure moments like the playoff.
The season was also marked by the arrival of four winter signings: Iker Bravo (21 years old), Nico Benedetti (29 years old), Taisei Miyashiro (26 years old), and Estanis Pedrola (22 years old), adding a layer of debate regarding the priority of local young talents versus external acquisitions.
