First team

CAPARRÓS: "LOOKING TO THE ACADEMY IS CLUB POLICY"

04/06/2018

The Director of Football spoke to the radio this Monday about a few Sevilla FC names and the steps to be taken with the transfer market in sight

Joaquín Caparrós spoke today on Radio Sevilla's Libre y Directo. As expected, he started by discussing Lenglet following Umtiti's recent contract renewal with FC Barcelona: "No one has spoke to us with regards to interest for Lenglet. He is happy here and his attitude has surprised me, especially considering his age. He knows that he has a lot ahead of him, and that Sevilla FC can give him the chance to continue growing. I am almost certain that we will keep this superb player in the ranks for the coming season, and the idea is that the manager will speak to all the players, including Lenglet. I have spoken to him about other players who have matured at the Club, especially when all eyes are on them. You have to know when to choose your moment, and I believe that he has a good idea".

With regards to the transfer market, he acknowledged that the World Cup slows things down, although he confirmed that the majority of the work was done: "We have a group that sets an example at a European level. Information is being looked at from the whole season. Those who have joined us have created a breakdown of the players we want. The coach has been informed and we are now in the next phase. We have to wait because with the upcoming World Cup everything moves abit more slowly and we need to have a certain level of patience". Additionally, he did not shy away from the discussion of the search for a striker: "Everyone knows the idea of play that Machín has. He has asked for a certain type of striker, but the majority of what he had fit. We know what we want, we just have to be patient".

Discussing possible departures and the rumors regarding Emery's interest in signing Nzonzi for Arsenal, Caparrós was clear: "A lot of things need to be looked at. We have to know the thoughts of the coach, and if he gives the OK we will be able to extend the contract. A team that aspires as Sevilla does has to have the best. If personalities differ, you have to know how to manage it and this goes for the best of players".

"Machín is aware of the hard work that goes on in the academy and we want to take advantage of it, we have sound raw material"

Speaking about the newly appointed manager, he reiterated what was said during his presentation last Wednesday: "He's excited for what's to come, he is ready and he knows that we are all with him. I told him personally that my time in the dugout has passed and that all of us are here to help him".

He also made clear that the academy is a useful resource that needs to be taken advantage of: "It's not imposing anything, it is Club policy. Machín is aware of the work that goes on in the academy and he is already familiar with the players of the affiliate teams. The other day we took players from Sevilla Atlético to Linares, players who will most likely end up in the first team, 90% of them to be more precise. We have a different type of policy here, normally it would be just 25%, but the coach is aware of this and I have spoken with Pablo Blanco about formulating a plan that will recognise and take advantage of this high level. Sevilla FC's academy has the same level of international players as that of Barcelona and Madrid and we want to apply that 21+4 or 22+3, because we have raw materials to do so".

Finally, speaking about a few of his own, he commented on the Club's, and Roque Mesa's hopes to remain at Sevilla FC, but there's more to it: "He wants to stay and that's an important part. He identifies himself with the Club, but his staying here is not solely down to the player and Club. We will have to negotiate with the team he came from and see what they say".