SUSO: "THESE FIRST FEW DAYS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TO GET EVERYONE BACK ON TRACK"

Suso was the first player to speak to Sevilla FC Official Media this pre-season from the training camp in Montecastillo.

After the first session of the summer, the winger discussed the upcoming pre-season, the new Sporting Director, Víctor Orta, and the friendlies that lie ahead.

To begin, he focused on the importance of making a good start to pre-season: "We started training today, today we have two sessions after some nice holidays and a good finish to last season. Pre-seasons are more different now and you have to be ready. These first few days are the most important to get everyone back on track."

The winger highlighted the coach's role in these more dynamic session: "Mendilibar really enjoys working with the ball, and training sessions are more entertaining and enjoyable. It's important that the players are happy when they're training, and that's always better. The players who were on loan last season are keen to prove themselves so they can be here too, we're finishing well and there's real excitement."

Suso also spoke about his hard work over the summer to be in good shape ahead of these next few weeks: "I don't like to stop for the whole month, I finished the season well so I started up again a few weeks ago. I trained in Sevilla, so now that we're back with an intense schedule and matches, the main aim is to avoid injuries. You get ready so that it's not so difficult when you get back into the swing on things. I feel great, everything turned out good last year and that's important."

The man from Cádiz is looking for minutes: "If you get injured, you have to stop again and then find your rhythm. When you're playing and getting minutes you reach your best level. It's important for us to be together, rest and eat well to get our rhythm. The coach is great with us all and gives us confidence. Also, everything depends on what happens on the pitch, when you work well and you're progressing as you should, everything is easier."

"The new players will have to adapt to the demands and what the coach wants, but I don't think there'll be any problems"

As well as responding to questions from fans and remembering goals such as his equaliser against Juventus, he spoke about the new signings: "Last year we had bad luck with injuries in defence, those who have signed will have to adapt to the club, the demands and what the coach wants, but I don't think there'll be any problems. We have to make the most of pre-season, the matches will make our preparation more fluid against teams who are also preparing with that in mind."

Suso also underlined the new Sporting Director's knowledge of the club, as he returns for his second spell in Nervión: "Víctor was here for a long time and knows what direction we're going in. He knows what we need and I'm sure he'll do well. We're a team who are always there and you can never write us off."

Following on from that, he commented on last season and what awaits this campaign: "Every year things have gone quite well for us, apart from last year, which wasn't normal. We have to keep doing what we've done in the last few years... we're starting with two important matches. Valencia will want to start well and then we have the UEFA Super Cup against Manchester City. We have to enjoy it, they're two great matches. We're facing the UCL winners and we have to go into it well, if we do then we can face up to anyone."

"Sevilla always have to be in the Champions League"

Suso stressed the importance of competing in the Champions League: "My first Europa League win came as I arrived, it was a bit different, but this one was great. The best teams have to play in the Champions League and Sevilla always have to be there, even if we have that special relationship with the Europa League. From there, we have to grow and take steps forward... last year was strange because of the World Cup, but now we're back to normal and we have to take those steps, we know what they are. Teams are improving and we always have to be competing there."

To finish, he discussed the upcoming friendly against Córdoba CF: "Friday is our first match, it makes the week go quicker and the players always like it more. As I said, our aim is to finish in the top four. My message to the fans is that they keep doing what they did this year, they were always there and that is what makes the difference."