Saúl Ñíguez has been the most important signing for this Sevilla team in the midst of its restructuring. The Andalusian team hosts Getafe (18.30, Movistar) and Saúl will miss it due to suspension. In just three months, the midfielder from Atlético has become one of the leaders of a very young group. Sevilla is in the relegation zone and its fans will demonstrate before the match to protest against the management of president José María del Nido Carrasco.
Ask. How do you face this new stage at Sevilla after 11 seasons at Atlético?
Answer. I have arrived at a club where I have felt very welcome from the first moment. They have given me a helping hand from the first day so that I can give my best version. I am involved in everything because I knew where I was coming from. I understand the situation. It is very complicated.
P. Does Sevilla have time to wait for this new project to work?
R. I understand that there is no time, that they demand results from you immediately, but we have to analyse things. Sevilla is coming off two very bad years and this bad dynamic cannot be changed overnight. And the problem is not just sporting, as there is a bad social, institutional and economic dynamic. Things are there and the players, the sporting director and the president know that. If we want to return Sevilla to the top, the first ones who have to perform are the players, who are the visible face of this project.
P. What role do you have as a veteran player (29 years old), who comes from Atlético, with such a young squad?
R. We, the older players, have to transmit to the younger players what it means to wear the Sevilla shirt. There are young people here, who come from the youth academy and from other teams, who see the situation and it is difficult for them to handle the pressure. My mission is to make sure that we, the older players, eat the shit.
P. His message on social media calling for calm and unity after the defeat against Girona attracted attention.
R. I’ve been here less than three months, but the club has given me the responsibility of helping my teammates in a situation like this. I have to stand up for myself, playing and not playing, to make things easy for teammates who, if you push them, will be burned out in one or two years. I want the people who are coming out of the Sevilla youth academy to have a 15-year career at the club. Those of us who have been in the world of football for longer must assume that responsibility. In bad times, the blows hurt more, but I have a very broad back. To hell with us. I sent a message so that the Sevilla fans could let off steam with me. The people responded well.
P. Does the institutional and social storm that the club is experiencing affect the player?
R. That comes. It’s an external noise that we can’t control and that shouldn’t affect us, but it comes. It may not affect you at first, but if Getafe hits you hard, with so much noise, that blow affects you ten times more. If they score a goal against us, it’s difficult now for the fans to help us get out of that situation. But, mind you, I’m not hiding it, the first ones responsible for everything are the players and we are the ones who have to earn the support of the fans by transmitting it from inside the field.
P. Do you understand that the fans are tired?
R. These past two years I have felt a lot of frustration and anger because things have not worked out. These have been new situations for a great Sevilla and we have to connect with them. But I insist, we are the ones who have that challenge ahead of us and connect with them. Look, on the day of Villarreal, despite the defeat, I felt that there was a connection with the crowd. That led to us dominating the game for 93 of the 95 minutes that it lasted.
P. And would you ask something of the fans, of this tense environment?
R. We are not in a moment to ask for anything. I would like to send a message of hope, work and commitment, and above all, of unity. These are complicated times and we need unity. Sevilla is not at its best, that is obvious.
P. It happens, however, that Sevilla comes from playing in the Champions League last season.
R. Of course, of course, that’s why I understand the fans. But there is a reality. The sooner our fans understand that Sevilla today is not what it was three years ago, the better for everyone. This team comes from two years of saving itself in the last few games and playing football without transmitting anything. I know that situation. It’s the worst. It’s not about playing well or badly. When a team doesn’t transmit anything, you’re lost.
P. Why is Sevilla in the relegation zone after four games?
R. I think that small individual and collective errors that we have made have cost us a lot. We lack forcefulness in both areas. We generate the rest. The team has football and that gives me some peace of mind for the future. I don’t want to be negative. We don’t like being in that position, so low, but we are doing a good job while waiting for the results to come. Football is like that, no matter how hard you work, if there are no good results…
P. What do you think of the coaching staff led by Xavier García Pimienta?
R. It is clear that he has come with the intention of helping. That is very positive for the club, a coach who wants to turn the situation around, with hunger. It reminds me of what happened to me with Paco Jémez at Rayo. Like with Pimienta, they brought him 15 players on loan and a new team. Paco built from a new philosophy. Until the ninth matchday we were bottom, tied with Betis, and we saved ourselves well. After so much time I have that feeling again of doing things well and not getting the results.
P. What does the coach ask of you on the field?
R. When I speak to Xavi, the message is the same. I am here to help the team, wherever I can. Sometimes in a more backward zone, sometimes further forward. Yes, I would like to score more goals this year. He is a coach who gives freedom to the players.
P. What can you say about Jesus Navas?
R. Wow, this is the most difficult question. The other day I asked him why he needed to train during the week of the break when his hip hurts so much. I told him, man, take care of yourself. If you can’t play 90 minutes, spend this week resting. I’m selfish and I don’t want him to retire. If he doesn’t train for a week, it’s not a big deal. There are many days when he can’t even walk and we need him a lot, he’s the captain, a legend of Spanish football. I hope he doesn’t leave in December, but he seems very clear about it. He transmits incredible values.
P. Values such as the fight against harassment that can occur in a locker room or at school.
R. It is a very important problem in our society and now it is amplified by social media. I suffered bullying when I was young and I was able to overcome it. I don’t want my children to go through that and we must all prevent it.
