How was the first two days in the national team? The environment has been familiar to him since he was 21.
I am very happy and looking forward to having fun and getting to know these outstanding teammates. I want to check how I am with them.
You chose Luis de la Fuente as coach in sub’21, how would you describe him?
Luis knows us all very well, he comes from subcategories and we’ve almost all been through them. I think he is the most knowledgeable person about football players. He has very clear ideas and is very direct when conveying. Personally, he’s a guy who goes straight and tells you everything as it is.
An offensively oriented manager?
Yes, but we also work hard defensively. we work all
“Haaland is key for them but we like to play against the best”
Haaland leaves for Norway before Saturday, is that a big relief?
It is true that for them it is the key piece. We love to play against the best and beat the best. It’s going to cost them more without it, but we’re going for them.
Yes, Sorloth or Odegaard you know from Real Sociedad will be there… Did they mention the match?
I have less contact with Odegaard because I only saw him for a few months. The treatment with Sorloth is bigger and this week, in between jokes, she said she’ll tell me about our good and bad. Good morning my baby. All with good vibes.
In any case, Norway looks like an opponent who can combine physical play with technical play.
They have two alternatives. Play for a long time, argue, run into space and then they have Odegaard for inner play. among the lines, which is one of the best.
Is it true that de la Fuente was particularly insistent on the importance of the center?
He’s taken this position very seriously since I came to Sub’21. I think I gave him more or less what he wanted. I am happy to be here, especially with him.
“Gavi, defensively, he’s an animal, I want to enjoy him as a teammate”
And with Gavi as a partner, you didn’t know him before, did you?
We had only met in direct combat. We’ve only been there for two days, I want to get to know you better and we’ll have time for that.
I guess you prefer to see him as a partner rather than a rival? What a rock!
Yes, he is a very complete player. An animal we know how to run defensively, both with his quality on offense and defensively, he’s in combat and now I want to enjoy him as a teammate.
If Busquets announced that he was withdrawing from the national team and you joined, the comparison is inevitable, would you like this parallelism to be made?
If I compare myself to Busquets, everybody loses. We share a position, but we are also very different. Busquets is the best at what he does. I will try to guide myself, there may be comparisons but I do not focus on them.
“Busquets is my benchmark and will remain so for many years to come”
your reference?
Yes, obviously Busquets has been a touchstone for any center in recent years and will be for many more.
Do you like the statement he made by clearly stating that he could replace ‘Busi’?
I’m glad that players of Busquets’ reputation are paying attention to players like me. He has been a touchstone, he is the one who knows best. It makes me very happy that he quotes me.
Does playing with a double pivot seem compatible with Rodri as de la Fuente is said to be able to do?
Defensively, it’s clear that we’re going to play double pivots, but offensively, we’re going to come out with a pivot with two insides and a higher ‘ten’. Theoretically there will be no double pivots.
Do you consider yourself a pivot or more mobility to use because of your great physique?
I may be more active, but in general I have always played pivot. At Real Sociedad I occasionally play centre-back, but I rarely play inside.
What do you think a midfielder should do?
He always has to come up with a solution on offense and defense. Always be mindful of your teammates, offensively and defensively. Solve situations and above all have leadership, command, be the axis of everything.
“Xavi is one of those who know best”
Xavi Hernández always talks about you when asked about a center for the future. What are you thinking?
It’s already a reason to be happy when people like Xavi, who have won everything and are one of the most knowledgable, talk about me. Beyond that, it would be unreasonable to think of anything but Real Sociedad, we are having a great season and I am very happy.
There’s been a lot of talk about his future over the summer, finally extending his contract until 2027 but keeping a not-too-high 60m clause, was it his decision to own his future?
Beyond matter, matter doesn’t matter when someone wants to be in a club. I think it is a balanced clause in all aspects of the contract. No more than that.
“Arsenal? I didn’t want to listen to anything, especially in winter”
What was true of all the rumors about Arsenal in the winter market?
Rumors, rumors, because I told my manager that I don’t want to hear anything, especially in winter. With the current season, it would be unreasonable to leave Real Sociedad aside. I am very happy here.
Could summer be another story?
I look forward to a quiet summer. Like the others and nothing.
Before the summer comes the Final Four of the UFA Nations League, another big challenge.
The national team offers you a showcase, another level, you want to try yourself against very good people, very good teams, the best and the best teams.
A midfielder consisting of Zubimendi, Pedri and Gavi is very good…
Sounds good to me too, with Pedri this can’t be due to a relapse now, but could be fulfilled in the future.
Did you enjoy Pedri a lot at the Tokyo Olympics?
I already knew him from the sub’21 and did wonders about him. It has already had another impact on the games and can be seen every day.
It was a great group with many young people who continue to aim high, including Eric García.
It was such a wide choice, we were a step away from the bottom but the experience was very positive.