CASTRO: "WE HAVE SHOWN THAT WE DON'T SELL IF THEY DON'T OFFER WHAT WE BELIEVE A PLAYER IS WORTH"

On Monday José Castro was on the last edition of the talk show 'Libre y Directo' for the 21/22 season, the local sports programme from Cadena Ser. As is normal the president was asked about everything currently going on at the club in the postseason period, including the conversations with the coach Julen Lopetegi: "We said it last week and before. In addition to having achieved the aim of the last season and winning a title, there is a contract in force and the contract was extended because there was a good feeling and because of the results. In any case, I said it and I'll say it again that he has an active contract. I don't think about anything that would make him not continue with us. What's more, we have spoken about next season and we will continue talking. He is having some time off and we will look to make the team more exciting for 2022/23. There are always things to sort out and to discuss with something so important such as self-reflection. Someone who thinks he is doing everything right is mistaken. To finish fourth should be a joy but when you are left wanting more and you are so close to achieving something more important it frustrates you in a way. But don't let it disappoint you because we have been the champions of the 'mortal' teams in our league because the other three have very high budgets and we have been able to fight against them during the season. This doesn't mean that we won't continue to try and one day we will give them a fright because we have grabbed this level of the Champions League to be able to grow. 

After a year in which he opted to reject big offers, it is time to return to the model of departures in the 21st century: "We were not able to have the ideal results and our poor season in the Champions League hurt us not only sportingly but also economically. We spent practically three seasons without selling and since 2019 2019 all these achievements were made because we sold. We made an exciting team and that is what we will do again. We are confident because we have done it many times and we have Monchi who is a fundamental pillar for this. The truth is that to be there we have to sell. Last year we didn't sell a player for more than 50 million and we didn't sell Diego Carlos in December. Also bringing in another excellent plyer of Champions League quality in Tectatito and the loan of Martial, who has not performed as we thought, but who is a great layer. We understand that those above us didn't start well and we fought for these positions for many games but in the last third of the season we were not able to reach where we thought. You have to go back to our business model and it is clear. You have to sell to maintain this status because we don't have those budgets to be able to keep the signings. You have to have to remember that players arrive here as projects and they become great players. It's our way of doing things. 

Another topic to come up was the departure of Diego Carlos: "I respect the opinion of every Sevilla fan and many have my number. Many write to me who are not informed because they never said to us 45 million for Diego Carlos. If we sold him for this amount is it because we understand that this is the suitable amount in this moment. If there's something we've shown it's that we're not afraid to hold out when it comes to selling. That it was quick doesn't mean that it wasn't right. I don't know how many defenders are sold for this amount. When he arrived nobody knew him, just like nobody knew that he was coming. Whoever thinks that we can always accommodate such big signings doesn't know the reality of this club. And those who think that we have a right to be in the Champions League and because of the nice badge that we have are also mistaken. This year we were all excited and we saw that it was a year to be able to have faith. After 31 games being second, it was normal to be second. In my opinion, during the season I thought to be able to fight for La Liga against Madrid, not because it is our obligation but because it was a year in which the big clubs were lower down. I didn't think that Madrid would have this force in the middle of the pitch in the end. It was us who fell away and you have to congratulate Madrid. I thought that La Liga would be more even until the end." 

"Those who think that we have a right to be in the Champions League and because of the nice badge that we have are also mistaken" 

Undoubtedly the idea remains to maintain these levels: "We are going to try and continue to break this hegemony whatever happens because we don't know how to do anything else. When I said that we are champions of the mortals it is the reality. What we can't lose is that, after getting into the Champions League, there is a disappointment because it is not fair or real and someday we will we could able to think or dream of being where we are now. I always say it - we are in the best moment in history. We have shown it every season and here we are." Turning back to the transfer market and Jules Koundé. "At this moment there is nothing more than what has already happened and there is no more movement. I guess that there will be more because he is a player wanted by important clubs and we will see. Last year they didn't offer what we thought he was worth and we will look at what comes. It has nothing to do with Diego Carlos, which was due to predetermined circumstances and they made him a dizzying offer in January. He spent three years here and he gave everything. 60% of his contract was paid off and this gives an important financial boost that we need to continue growing." 

And this model is clear: "If an offer comes in that the club is satisfied with and that we can continue growing and bringing in players to make a better team, then we won't be shy. If not, then no. Julen and the coaches that we have or that we will have know how we work, the good and the bad, with more good things than made things. Six years in the Champions League and four titles in eight years with this same policy. It is how we have been able to get so high. This year we have been up there with the best and we have qualified for the Champions League. You never know. The better players you have, the better but we have something that others don't. Koundé was good but now he is better. It happened with Alves... And Diego Carlos the same. Many didn't know him. Others will come because this is football. If there is one player that we know his price his above market value we will sell him. Or as in the case of Diego Carlos, we understood that it was the moment and that the player had deserved it." 

"Six years in the Champions League and four titles in eight years with this same policy". 

Although he was asked about the academy, Castro wanted to talk specifically about the reserves: "Sevilla Atlético have been relegated and it is sad. We have to start to work now so that we can be promoted. In the Primera RFEF there are very strong teams with different budgets to those of the reserve team but it is true that Pedro Ortiz was injured, the best player in the team, for the whole season. With the new coach they were moving up but they had to play with a huge problem. The injuries to the first team meant that three or four of the best reserves travelled with the first team. Luismi, Kike Sals, Carmona... They didn't play in the first team or in the reserve team and it was damaging. We are where we are, the academy is another thing to improve. We have the people and we will continue along the line that we want, that players come through. In the last few years it has been difficult but promising players are coming through."  

Lastly, he spoke about the future of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán: "It won't be far away. It's close although things and construction take their time. We have waited three or four weeks to get the external report about the stadium for the next 50 years. It can't continue that people don't come to the football because it is raining. The fans deserve a stadium that is covered and that when it is sunny it doesn't blind them for the whole game. We have to cover the stadium and improve it. Also, we have to congratulate the people who have worked with UEFA so that our stadium, an 'improved Mickey Mouse', which was praised by UEFA, and who gave us five stars for the pitch despite the temperatures."