First team

NOLITO: "I'M AWARE OF THE EXPECTATION THAT I'VE GENERATED AMONG THE FANS"

26/07/2017

The Andalusian was presented in the press room with his family watching on

As happened on his arrival in Seville, Nolito was presented in front of a significant media presence this Wednesday. The former Manchester City player comes with very clear ideas: "I hope I can get a lot of playing time, have a lot of joyful moments and hopefully everything goes well. I hope we can have a great year and that we can enjoy everything together". Furthermore, he admitted that his family played a part in his decision: "They truly did, because they've been away from home for 15 years. I've been given the opportunity to return to somewhere near my home, to a great club and I didn't have to think about it much. I'm happy to have been able to sign and now it's time for us to have a good year".

Asked about the transition from England to Sevilla, there was no hesitation: "There is a big difference. In fact, in the first week in Manchester it rained a lot. It's a different philosophy, a different climate and different type of people, and I needed a change. I can't actually believe I'm here today. I'm very happy".

Although he arrives from a top club, he doesn't believe that he has taken a step back: "I don't think that I've ever taken a step back in my career, even less in this case. Sevilla FC are one of the best teams in Spain and in Europe and are almost always in the top four. In fact, in Manchester this year we finished third. I wanted to come home and I'm very happy with the decision that I've made. I do not regret it, nor do I think I'm going to".

"I wanted to come home and I'm very happy"

As happened with the media, Nolito's arrival also generated a lot of buzz among the fans: "I'm very aware and I view it as a compliment. I'm happy for the people and I'll try to make it up to them with my work. Hopefully I have a lot of opportunities to play a lot of matches and to make a lot of goals". Moreover, he admitted that Guardiola helped prepare him for this change of scenery: "We were talking and the coach helped me leave and get negotiations going. I have a lot to thank him for because he gave me my debut at Barcelona and let me sign for a top club".

In Vigo, there was talk of a possible return, but Nolito had made the decision very early on: "There was always talk of different teams, but I stayed on the sidelines. As soon as I knew that Sevilla wanted me, I didn't have to think about it. In Vigo I had the three best years of my career. I owe a lot to that club and I was very happy, but Sevilla is a very powerful club and here I'm at home".

Berizzo and Nolito know each other very well, but the player doesn't see this as any guarantee that he will have a place in the side: "The coach knows me, and I know him, but this doesn't make me a starter. There's a really good squad and whoever earns their position will play. I know that the club has made an effort because it's not their usual philosophy to sign a 30 year-old player for a large fee". To conclude, he acknowledged that he would like to be reunited with Navas: "Of course I wouldn't mind being his teammate again, but that's a question for the President and for Óscar".