The example of Vardy

Carlos Cuéllar . 13-noviembre-2015

Hello everyone, Today I write with sincere hope, although I am realistic and I know the position in which the team finds itself. It is not in accordance with the potential of the team, nor with the fans that we have, but I want to think that the worst is over. The draw on the last matchday only gave us one point in the table, but keeping a clean sheet, I think, is a good base on which to recover and start a good run.

We have players good enough to beat any opponent, starting with Ponferradina. They are a team that has been doing things well for a while, fighting with those at the top, but this match cannot escape us. That is the feeling we have in the dressing room.

On Thursday we will have a double helping of international matches to watch. First up is the under-21s, who come to Almería and are always full of good players. I want to go the stadium to watch Celades’ team live. There are footballers such as Óliver or Denis Suárez, among others, who are worth watching in the flesh. We will be there to support them from the stands.

On Friday, another special match, because the senior side will face England, a country in which I spent seven years of my career and one where, as you know, I have many friends. I think we’ll be able to see a really good game. England are the only team that won all of their matches in qualifying and that is something very difficult. There is a lot of curiosity to see if they can finally show their true level at a major tournament like the European Championship. They have good players, I believe, and we are going to see if they are capable of finding resilience in their play. I think that if they opt for a style definitely and stick with an idea of football until the death, they could beat any team.

I am eager to see Vardy in action. His story, one of a player who was playing at very modest levels a few years ago, shows that anything is possible if you have the ability and determination.

I also want to highlight Fabian Delph, someone who I was fortunate to play alongside at Aston Villa. He is a great friend and I am delighted by his successes. They were a little bit slow to arrive due to injuries, but I was sure that he was a player at the level of the English national team. There he is at last.

Before I say goodbye, I want to send a hug from here to Sergi Barjuán. He is a skilled coach and I am sure that things will go well for him in the future. He trusted me and I thank him for having me for this project. I wish him the best of luck for the future.