SAÚL ÑÍGUEZ: "I AM LOOKING TO GET BACK TO MY BEST AND ENJOY THE DAY TO DAY"

Our new signing Saúl Ñíguez gave his first official interview after completing his loan move. The midfielder started by highlighting the excitement with which he begins this new stage in his career: ‘I am nervous. In the end, after so much time, you leave home again. I find myself in a team that struggled last year. The challenge to turn it around caught my attention. When everything is finally formalised, I get butterflies, and thinking about this season excites me. Having those nerves again, like when you make your debut, when you are start. I love it. That’s why I can say that I am feeling good. Of course, saying goodbye to Atlético Madrid is very hard for me because it is my club, the one that has given me everything. I want to make the most of this opportunity." 

Our fourth signing of the summer continued by assuring that "Sevilla are a big club, they always compete in Europe despite last year being hard for all Sevilla fans. I believed it was the best fit for me and above all the warmth that both the president, the sporting director, and the coach showed me. It is what I need, to feel loved, valued, and to be able to return that confidence with performances on the field.’”

"I am excited about playing for Sevilla and I am excited that people can idenitify with my values"  

"Economic considerations are not the issue. Taking this opportunity to feel comfortable and enjoy football is what I am looking for. I believe this was the ideal place for that. As I was telling Víctor, people can be very good or very bad, but that pressure is what makes footballers bring out the best in themselves. I want to come into a challenging situation and be able to give my best to change it, that is one of my goals. What I want is to enjoy myself. There have been many games where I played very well, provided two assists, and still didn't enjoy it. I'm looking to get back to my best,and enjoy the day-to-day. That’s what excites me the most. I am excited about representing Sevilla, and I am excited that people can identify with my values. Being able to do that on the pitch is what motivates me to be here today," he continued.

He continued, "I am here to help Sevilla in any way I can. Whether I am captain or not, I will be trying to lead by example through hard work and character. From there, it will be seen if people consider me a leader because you are not a leader, others consider you one. Work in silence. Work, work, and more work. Everything else follows. It is very important that the club or the sporting director show you warmth, but in the end, if the coach does not show warmth, it is not the best option. In this case, it was the opposite. José María, Víctor, and García Pimienta warmed to me from the beginning, despite the circumstances changing during the negotiations. They always showed interest in me; they wanted me on their team. This is what I need right now to give my best version."

"By listening to the coach I can bring out my best version" 

Another aspect analysed by the midfielder was García Pimienta's idea of play and the coach's interest in him: "When I talk with the coach, his play style is attractive. What we discussed most clearly is that no matter how much you have a specific idea, you have to adapt to what comes, to what the match demands. Sometimes we will have a lot of possession, other times we will move the ball around more, and other times we will play more directly. Sevilla must adapt to play any type of match to get the three points. One of the reasons I am here is that the coach has a similar idea to mine, that he has ambition like mine. By listening to the coach, I can bring out my best version. In the end, he has been very close to me, he has been someone who trusted me even before signing with Sevilla. I am grateful for being given this opportunity," he added about the trust the coach has placed in him.

Additionally, Saúl fondly remembered his debut in LaLiga at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium: "My league debut with Atlético de Madrid was at the Sánchez-Pizjuán. All the matches between Sevilla and Atlético de Madrid are always very heated, with a hostile atmosphere. I always remember when El Arrebato sang for us live at a match. When people sing a cappella, whether you're a local or a visitor, it touches you deeply. My brother and I often came in the car listening to the song. My mother had it on her phone. Whether you are a Sevilla fan or not, everyone likes it.”

"It is a fanbase that demands and values effort and hard work" 

On the fans, Saúl acknowledged, "I like that people demand a lot from you. This fanbase is one that demands and values effort and hard work. The result may be unfavorable, but if they feel identified with what the team represents on the field, they will be happy and can go home peacefully. Logically, we all want to win, but if we can't, at least people should feel they can identify with the team." 

Focusing on the figure of Jesús Navas, our new captain praised the captain: "I have been fortunate to play with him in the national team. For me, having a player who reaches the byline and crosses is a game-changer. With a full-back like Jesús, who can reach the byline, it gives me time to get to the area and do what I like, trying to score. There's not much more to say about Jesús; in Sevilla, he is the greatest idol of all. In Spain, he has just made history again at 38 years old. When he plays a semifinal against one of the best players in the world and prevents him from getting past... He is an example for everyone, and that is very, very important."

"Sevilla wants to and should be as high up as possible in the league" 

Saúl also emphasized the importance of conveying a message to Sevilla fans on the field: "I expect a Sevilla that competes, that has the desire to win. We should aim to look upwards, which is the message I have conveyed to José María, Víctor, and the coach, and it is the message they have conveyed to me. Sevilla wants to and should be as high as possible in the league. In the end, there are many young players, and if the older players can bring them into the team and instill those values, it will give us a significant boost. They have that ambition and excitement to complement the more experienced players. I believe it is a very complete team that can achieve great things."

To finish he sent a message to the fans: "If they are excited, I am even more so. With a lot of desire, with a lot of ambition. I know there will be good games and bad games, but I will give everything for the shirt like anyone else. I will fight for Sevilla as if it were in my blood. I will give my absolute best. Then, I will try to help the team establish an identity, so that Sevilla fans can identify with the team regardless of the result. I believe that could be the greatest and most satisfying achievement for me."