Samuel Almeida Costa (2000, Aveiro, Portugal) is currently training under Rubi's orders. Almería executed his purchase option paying five million euros to Sporting de Braga And if no offer reaches the Vega de Acá that satisfies the Almeria club, the Portuguese midfielder will continue another exercise as rojiblanco. At the moment he is one of the heavyweights of the locker room despite his 20 springs. His father asks you to have the best season of your life and he certifies that a “better Samu” will be seen.
Question: How are you?
Answer: Very well, I am very happy, very focused, my head is only here. I want to help my teammates and moving up is the only goal I have.
Q: In the last game of last season it seemed that you were saying goodbye to Almería, although for the moment the purchase option is still being executed by the club.
A: A player has to feel that the club has confidence and for that I am very grateful to Almería. Behind there is a lot of work that nobody knows, which has helped me a lot to be as I am and now I want more, I want to continue and I am fine here.
Q: After the bar you set, this course is going to be very demanding.
R: What I can say is that this year I'm going to be better, I'm going to do much more and Samu will be a better player and just as hard-working as ever.
Q: An important player role in the dressing room?
A: This is how my colleagues see me. Also, the coach spoke to me and told me that I have the ability to be a leader. I want to help the new ones to get on well and be 100% united.
Q: How is the preseason going?
A: The first two weeks have been a lot of running, but if we want to get to the season well, we have to work a lot. The team is doing very well. Now comes a different phase, with more ball, more intensity, more games …
Q: Rubi's tactical drawing is 1-4-1-4-3. Do you benefit from being escorted by two players?
A: Yes, he thinks my defensive pivot position should be played like this, but I'm prepared to play wherever he wants. I want to be on the field against Cartagena now and help the team.
Q: What feelings have you had from the preseason games?
R: Good feelings, but the team has to improve and we are working on it.
Q: Tomorrow (7:00 pm) they face Málaga, from the Second Division.
A: He is in our league, but the main objective is not to win to show that we are better, but to improve our football, the physical conditions.
Q: What grade does your father give you?
R: He told me that I have to work harder, that I have the capacity to go further and that this year I must have the best year of my life.
Q: What has helped you the most to grow since you arrived in Almería?
A: Mainly the mental. I'm a contact player, that's not going to change, but I've learned a lot on offense, with the ball.
Q: What must they learn to get promoted?
A: The first thing is to concede fewer goals, we are an offensive team and we are going to score a goal, but we have to be forceful, be united.