Yerry Mina: “James knows where to play it before he receives it, that has given us agility”

It's hard to finish talking to Yerry Mina (9-23-1994, Guachené, Cauca, Colombia) and that he has not given you that permanent smile with which he wants to face life. The Colombian is one of the key pieces of the great start of Everton's co-leader of the Premier, where great chemistry has been generated around Ancelotti. With James, they feel capable of anything. Today they face Newcastle (15:00).

Everton have a great start to the season, something that has not been seen in years.

Yes, except for the game against Southampton things were going well. Thankful to God for that. We have been working well in the preseason, which has not been easy due to the Covid issue, because we have had problems getting together to work, but we are on the right track thanks to the attitude of the players, the coaching staff and the club's facilities. That is what has brought us to the top. We must go step by step. We don't think of anything else, no matter how much people say. We have to continue as a family, because this is how things are going to turn out.

Do you perceive an illusion in the Everton fans on the street that has not been seen in years?

Yes, the fans are excited, but everything is just beginning, it is very long and difficult. The Premier, as it is being seen, is very competitive. We must highlight the work that is being done, on and off the pitch. From the first player to the prop to the gardener we are focused. It is seen that we give everything in the field.

This is how it was seen in the derby with Liverpool. One of the things that attracts the most attention, in general terms, is the hierarchy with which Everton plays, regardless of the rival. As it happened in that game. They want to command.

That is the identity that we are showing and that the teacher (Ancelotti) wants. We try, both home and away, to impose our game. Not to be left behind, but to go out and find the games. We know that this will make us find great teams, with quality, that will require a lot of concentration to keep the idea.

How do they achieve balance?

Focusing. We take risks and it is normal for someone to have a bad day, but that is what others are for, to protect them. It can happen to make a mistake in some play, they can mark you, but the boys are there to cheer you up.

Ancelotti arrived in the middle of last season and little by little the team has been changing, both in defense and attack.

Carlo is top. It gives you confidence. When you have a mistake, he does not judge you or point you out, he says: “Don't worry, everything is fine.” He touches you on the shoulder and says: “Don't worry, in football anything can happen.” That makes the difference, how they place trust in you. I appreciate that very much. In other teams it is not like that. He comes to talk to you, laughs with you as one of the others. That special way of maintaining leadership is very important.

What does it ask of you? Also leadership?

We, as centrals, have to send from behind, talk a lot and get the team out. He wants us to try to play it very fast when the ball arrives. It is something that I have been changing and with him I have learned a lot.

In fact, both you and Keane, your partner in the center of defense, are in the first positions of players with the most passes in the Premier.

I like to be in contact with the ball a lot, in itself, so I feel very good with it. We work on it in training. He gives us that confidence and we talk about it a lot before games. We like to enjoy the ball and we try to do it.

And when you don't, you and Keane are seen as an increasingly settled and compact couple.

We have a very nice friendship. I admire Keane for how he is as a person. He is an impressive professional. He never gives you a bad face. We have a very nice family and it fills you up. We have already been playing time together. Every day before playing we conspire to leave the arc to zero, we get together and we say: “¡¡HeyToday is the day, they will not pass! “If it does not happen, we repeat for the next one. There is chemistry, it's true. I thank Michael because he helped me a lot with the language and because every day we work more as one. We have to enjoy it.

Is the football you are doing now at Everton more like the one in which you shone with Palmeiras champion?

Yes, because we have more the ball, always trying to get out playing. In Brazil I had the ball at my feet for a long time and I attacked a lot. Here in the Premier there is no respite. You attack, they attack you, you attack, they attack you. They are lightning fast transitions, so attention is constantly on the test. If you make a mistake in one, they vaccinate you. It is a maximum concentration that is required.

Has the arrival of a balanced footballer like Allan helped to further compact the idea?

Yes, because he is very intelligent. You realize the first training. He knows how to cover the spaces very well when the center-back comes out, he is always well positioned. But there is a great job from everyone.

Calvert-Lewin has been asked what he's eating at this start to the season?

(Laughs) He is a very cheerful guy who is always working hard. What is not seen is even better. For example, I like to have him as a rival in training because he demands the limit. You can tell he's working a lot on and off the field. Learning a lot and I hope it continues like this, at the top and scoring many goals. He has to help us to face the best. I congratulate him and keep putting him… I really enjoy Calvert in the sessions. When one team loses the game, the other comes out very angry so we go to the limit, there is a constant fight in each training session and you can see that on game day. That fight makes us improve. You just have to take it out on game day.

The James thing is already a separate case. With him the offensive possibilities of the team have multiplied. What has it meant to receive you?

Is a crack. Many doubted its quality, but it has shown that it is top. He trains well, eats well, spends all day thinking about things that make him improve. In one day with him you realize that he is a professional of 10. I have learned many things from him and I want to continue learning, on and off the court. Is my panitaWe are always together and I take the opportunity to observe and learn.

With him it seems that Everton is a difficult team to decipher and, above all, accentuates the cheerful nature of their game.

It is true. He has the advantage that before receiving the ball he already knows where to play it and that gives us enormous agility in the attacks. It has brought us closer together in terms of speed for the transition. In addition, he always wants to win and that is also contributing to the character of the team.

Have you already taught your dance?

(Laughs) He knows, he's Colombian, so he knows it by nature. Waist, waist and waist!

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Does their arrival help them feel capable of everything?

Of course, we have always thought about meeting our objectives and fighting for things. We continue in a positive dynamic and it is thanks to unity.

Is Colombia already from Everton?

It seems, because now there are many T-shirts over there. I take this opportunity to send a greeting to my country, they are always sending good vibrate.

He looks happy. After what happened to you at Barcelona, ​​did your story change after the World Cup?

I have to thank the Glory of God for giving me the talent and helping me through difficult times. He is the one who lifts me up. The World Cup, the beginning, was also very difficult for me. It came without rhythm and I didn't start it playing. But I had my trust in God, I knew my moment was going to come and that's when I began to have more trust in Jesus. I have also left the injuries behind, I have passed all those tests and I feel good. In addition, every day I do more work on the outside to contribute more to my body and see what I need.

After a year without playing for Barcelona, ​​how did you feel?

I always try to work hard, because when I don't play I think I will get the chance. When the coach trusts you, it is essential. You can do things. These are difficult moments that one goes through. It did help me to see who was with me. There were many people who walked away. I send a big hug to my relatives, those who have always been with me. What I am going to try is to always do things, not to seek the applause of the people, but to glorify God.

In Colombia they are going to demand that they be in the World Cup. Watch your favorite team in the playoffs?

The playoffs are very nice. They are top teams and for me it is a special feeling that I get when I put on our jersey. I try to enjoy it to the fullest. Let's go game by game. We have four points and two difficult games are coming against Uruguay and Ecuador, they will not be easy. They have quality players. We cannot trust ourselves. I am very happy to play in this generation of Colombian soccer. There is a fantastic group of people, who are humble, there is simplicity and they are admirable.

Is what Queiroz asks you very different from Everton's?

A little different. The style is a bit different, but it also gives me that confidence. The teacher always has the doors open to talk to him. We also have the mentality of going to win every game.

What is your first soccer memory?

Some boots (boots) and a uniform that my dad gave me from Deportivo Cali. But long before I had been watching my dad play, which was what marked me a lot. He was a very good goalkeeper, and I, something that many do not know, also started as a goalkeeper because of that. But my dad told me: “Get out of there, I can't see you.” So I looked for another position. Since he wasn't very fast back then and a bit chubby, he looked for me somewhere else. I happened to play steering wheel.

Until he reached the central position.

In Colombia I still acted as a steering wheel. Until I got to Pasto. There I started driving, but Professor Flabio Torres lowered me to central. I told him: “No, teacher, I don't want that position!” But he told me to be calm, that I was going to perform there, and there I stayed.

And central did not go bad. Named the best in all of Brazil, champion with Palmeiras.

We had a great group. It was an impressive championship.

Are you still spinning football off the field? Are you one of those who follow everything on television?

Yes! I like to devour football. All that I can. And outside of working with the team, I like to train on things that I need to improve. I always try to get positive things for the sport I practice and channel my talent. Afterwards, spending time with my friends and family, especially with the Yerry Mina de Guachené Foundation. Being with them helps me remember where I came from and give thanks for all that God has given me.

What advice do you give these guys?

They look at me and say: “Yerry, what do you do to always transmit that joy?” I answer that they are the ones who give me joy.The innocence and optimism with which they speak to me makes me remember what I went through, there were difficult moments, but it feels good to be with them.

You have always said that your idol was Ronaldinho, but did you look at someone closer to learn about his position?

I really liked Yaya Touré. The central reference was Christian Zapata and Mario Yepes, whom he looked at a lot. I estimate Yepes, we now have him in the national team and he is very close, a very good person. He is always attentive giving you advice.