SUSO: "MUCH BETTER MOOD IN THE CAMP NOW"

Suso featured as a guest on Canal Sur's 'Gol a Gol' on Sunday, and was asked about his current form and the possibility of a call-up to the Spain national squad: "Hope is the last thing you lose and I'm trying to do my best at Sevilla so we will see what happens regarding the national team, but even in Lopetegui's first two years at the club, nobody part of the team was in contention despite our strong form."

After reflecting on his experiences of last season's Europea League-winning campaign, such as playing out historic nights at the Sánchez-Pizjuán against Manchester United and Juventus, he then analysed the events of this season: "Lopetegui's first two years were brilliant. It was a period of transition, things were progressing well, then was a change of cycle for one reason or another, so we find ourselves in this more difficult position. Football is sometimes about mentality, but now we're calmer. We're defending much better and there's a better mood in the camp now."

Insisting that everyone in the dressing room has the same objective, he also referred to the coach, Quique Sánchez Flores, who he says has given the squad calm and solidity: "Quique is a very calm man and gives us a bit of calm when it comes to playing. He has given us a bit of defensive solidity because, if we don't concede, with the squad we have, there is a good chance of winning games... Given that with this system there are no wingers, perhaps us forwards are the most disadvantaged, but at the moment the most important thing was to guarantee safety and stay calm. Now is time to adapt and then we'll see."

"My job is to give my all whenever I play"

As for his personal situation, he acknowledged that he hasn't "played in the last three or four games, but I previously was under Quique. Football is about good times and bad, the other day I came on and my job is to give my all whenever I play. As I say, Quique is now using other players, but my job is to change his mind again, so I'll keep giving everything."

He also discussed the emergence of Isaac Romero: "Isaac is more of a fighter and a guerrilla fighter and frees up En-Nesyri from other duties, allowing him more freedom. They complement each other quite well. In pre-season, we could see he was a cut above the others in the B-team, and he's showing that he's made progress even since then. Together with En-Nesyri they offer something else. Good players are never incompatible. You just have to find the good ingredients and mix them together. With the team we have, I think we're going to score goals. Although his favourite system is 4-4-2, right now I don't think he would change the system for the upcoming games, as he's looking our for what's best for the team as a whole." He was also asked about the current situation and the continuity of Sergio Ramos: "Sergio has been one of the best defenders in the history of football and this type of player should always be able to choose. I always say that he is a lion and I think he will want to stay here and make history."

"We've played well recently, and have to keep performing with confidence"

Referring back to the current situation, he acknowledged that there is still room for improvement: "There is still a little bit of the season left. We've played some good games and we have to continue like this, with confidence". And an important part of the team's positive evolution has always been the Sevilla fans, about whom Suso said "have been great to us. Despite some of the performances this season, they've given us that extra support to let us know we have their backing."

Suso also pointed out that he had options to leave the club, but that he feels happy and grateful for the commitment that Nervión made to him: "I could have left twice but I decided it wasn't the right time. I don't consider myself too old or at the right age to leave, even though I was offered a lot of money that nobody else can really match. I'm very happy here, I've been here for four years and the club made an important effort to keep me."

As for next Monday's opponent, he doesn't want to write them off despite the current state of the table: "Almeria offer something offensively, but when you've been at the bottom for so long it's difficult for them to find the motivation. Despite everything, they still haven't won and I think they'll be thinking negative, but there's still a way to go. Matches like Monday's are the dangerous ones, as they will be gunning for a win for sure, and even more so at their own ground."