JOSÉ CASTRO: "WE COULDN'T JUST BRING IN ANY PLAYER, BUT THE ONES THAT WILL REALLY IMPROVE THE SQUAD"

José Castro was in the hot seat at Sevilla FC's radio studio on Thursday for the Solo el Sevilla podcast to share his thoughts on the Joan Jordán contract renewal and all other things Sevilla: With regards to the Jordán news, Castro stated that "it's not good, it's amazing. He is a player for now and the future and with 'Never surrender' embedded in his heart. In addition to being a great professional, he is also a great person and that's what we want here". 

The president also talked about the last couple of days in an entertaining transfer window: "The effort that has been put in hasn't gone amiss, considering the circumstances we find ourselves in, Sevilla has put in a huge effort. You can't just bring any player in, but the ones that will really improve the squad. To improve our team and keep it intact despite what has happened in the past, both Tecatito and Martial improve the squad. The most important is that the manager gets all his players back fit. As things stand, we will have a top team to carry on pursuing our goals". Furthermore, Castro dismissed the possibility of Diego Carlos leaving: "He is a magnificent centre-back who is having an amazing season. It's only logical that the powerful clubs are interested in him. However, Newcastle have known since Monday that negotiations are finalised and we want him to continue with us because he is an important piece of the puzzle and one that can help us achieve our objectives".

"Newcastle have known since Monday that negotiations for Diego Carlos are finalised" 

Castro didn't shift the focus away from the subject of ambition: "Ambition isn't a matter of words, it's about actions done as time goes on. We have shown that in this transfer market, just like we have done in past windows. This doesn't mean to say the job is over. We are on our way. In the position that we are in, who wouldn't sign for us? But, we have to keep on going and trying to improve the team more and more. What does that give us? Well, beating Osasuna and adding to the points tally to see how far the team can go. Then we will see how far we can actually go, but we have a great team and a great manager. The club is aiming to improve every year and we must keep on working because objectives are achieved in every game". 

Within that ambition, the Europa league has an important role to play: "It was said to Martial the other day. We aren't just a team with the most UEL titles, but also we are a team that has a magnificent opportunity to win it again in our own backyard. Although, it is a long way to the final and we have the round of 32 to deal with. With modesty, hard work and a squad to achieve it all, including the Europa League, which has given us so much. All our players want to be involved in this final, Let's try and get there". 

"We would all love to be in the position at this stage, but we must keep improving" 

In addition, Castro also commented on the controversy of the derby: "I am not worried at all, but I don't understand what happened. In all that happened, there is only one clear and obvious demonstration of despicable behaviour. After all that, the Anti-violence committees have all spoken out. It will not be possible to prove anything. The rest are self-serving assumptions that try to change the focus and damage the image of the victim and of a coach who, in his career, has shown himself to be a person of integrity. The kind of outrageous things you hear are not the reality. I wish it could be heard, because it is not what they say. To defend yourself, there is no need to attack anybody. Since the game, these things keep on repeating themselves. I go back to what I said before, Jordán is the victim in all of this. I hope nobody forgets that"! 

Not just that, there are fears that in the next derby game there will be repercussions: "That worries me and gets me thinking. We are going to keep on working so that the derby is a celebration of the football from the city of Seville. There are some that are not interested in that, but that's the way it is going to be for us. We also won't tolerate some things and, if necessary, we will defend the people affected by the brutalities. Nonetheless, the derby has been and gone and anything that can heighten the atmosphere seems to me not bad, but very bad. I've spent a lot of years here, at the derbies, anything that calms down the tension is a good thing. If we do the complete opposite, we will then have to take some part of the responsibility". 

"The derby has been and gone and anything that can heighten the atmosphere seems very bad to me"

Not only on the streets, but I also see a lot of excitement online...It's not by chance that the fans are excited. You have seen the amount of effort we have put in and continue to put in and despite the difficult challenges the team has had to face, it's on top. I can't keep track of the amount of injuries, positive test results...it's unbelievable. We have had to field the third choice keeper and I don't know what else is going to happen to us. But the team is up to the task, it keeps adding to the points tally and the fans notice that. Something that I loved about the last game. Our fans didn't make a single remark about the derby and just supported our team".

"I have been saying for a while that I can't think of a happier time than this. It looks as though we are doing nothing, but we are six points in front of third. What we are doing is important and along with so many setbacks, yet still we haven't achieved anything because it's a long season. Modesty before everything else".