MADRID, 7 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The new Atlético de Madrid player César Azpilicueta has acknowledged that when he spoke with Diego Pablo Simeone he felt that signing for the rojiblanco club was “the best thing” for him, and has ensured that he arrives “physically in top condition” and “mentally with a lot of ambition ” to try to “achieve the objectives”.
“There have been a lot of rumors in the press, something I was not used to at Chelsea. When I spoke to the manager and the people at the club I felt that it was the best; I felt that I could contribute a lot to the group and to the club. I wanted to live As a local, the values and what the fans push, I have experienced it several times as a visitor”, he declared in his presentation as a rojiblanco footballer.
In addition, he assured that he comes “to help”, with the firm idea that “good things can be done based on work and sacrifice”. “I’ve seen how the club has grown in the last 10-11 years and I really wanted to come,” he said. “I am very happy to be here, I must thank everyone at the club who made my arrival possible. These days have been incredible, a great experience, and I am looking forward to everything starting,” he added.
Regarding the short duration of his contract, until 2024, he considers that “it is not a vital aspect”. “I am 33 years old, I am not going to wait for a five-year contract, it is something normal. Last summer I signed two years with Chelsea and this year I decided to change. As I thought it was the best, it was decided that way, you have to earn it in the field. The past is very beautiful, but you have to show it every day. Now it’s time to show that I deserve to continue and hopefully it will be many years, because it will mean that things are going well”, he stressed.
“I’m 33 years old, I can’t change it, but I’ve taken care of myself since I started playing. It’s a question of how you prepare to be, physically and mentally. I come physically in full condition, mentally with a lot of ambition to achieve the goals. No I see it coming at a bad time. With the experience I’ve had in other countries, I think I’ve arrived at a very good time and now we have to prove it on the pitch,” he continued.
The Navarrese is not worried about where he is going to play with Simeone either. “I am a player who has never required any coach to play in any position. I come to help as much as I can with my experience, to achieve the objectives. Every time I have played in a new position I have taken it as a new challenge to continue improving. Until the last day of your football career, you can continue learning and I believe that in this case, at Atleti, with this communion with the fans and with a coach and a group that has been consolidated for years, we will try to achieve our goals.” he expressed.
In another vein, he stated that it is “too early” to think about winning the Champions League with the mattress team. “You always have to go for the maximum, you can’t set limits. It would be absurd for us to be happy with reaching the round of 16; we have to keep looking at each moment. Winning the ‘Champions’ is one of the greatest achievements I’ve achieved in my career, but you have to go game by game. Let it be clear that the ambition is going to be there, but sometimes it’s small details that make you achieve one result or another. We will fight for everything”, he stated.
He also spoke of the Portuguese Joao Félix, with whom he coincided in recent months in the ‘blue’ team and with whom he will once again share a dressing room at Atlético. “Joao is an Atlético de Madrid player with whom I shared a dressing room for the last five months at Chelsea. We were able to enjoy a few months together on the pitch even though the results were not what we all wanted. Now we are here at Atleti” , indicated.
Finally, Azpilicueta highlighted the role of the club in the recovery of the old shield. “That the club has listened to the fans and the legends of the club to make the change possible makes this a special club. If it’s what the fans wanted, phenomenal. I hope they continue to bring great successes to this club,” he said. he.
For his part, the president of Atlético de Madrid, Enrique Cerezo, welcomed the Navarrese player, who “has deservedly earned European and world recognition”. “Dear César, an exciting season awaits us with great challenges. Your arrival has caused great excitement in the great rojiblanca family and we are sure that you will become a benchmark for the young players of our club who dream of reaching the top. You are an example for them,” he said.
“I hope that you will be with us for many seasons, that they all take care of you very well. Best of luck in this new sporting adventure, I hope you succeed here as you have triumphed in other teams”, he concluded, before the rojiblanca legend Luís Pereira told him also wish you good luck in your new stage. “We hope you can have great happiness at Atleti, like the one I have. Good luck,” said the former Brazilian defender.