On september 2008 · Guillem Balagué Footballl Website
Carlos Cuellar, who joined Aston Villa from Rangers over the summer, made his name at Osasuna during a successful four-year spell with the Primera Division club between 2003 and 2007.
The Spanish defender was a vital member of the Osasuna team which finished fourth in the 2004-05 season, reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup two years later, so he certainly knows what he's talking about when it comes to La Liga.
I caught up with Carlos at the Aston Villa training ground, for an interview broadcast on Sky Sports Revista de la Liga, and I took the opportunity to ask him about life at his new club, his time at Rangers and the Spanish football season has in store for us this year....
Guillem: How are you spending your time in Birmingham?
Carlos Cuellar: I am doing what I most enjoy, playing football! Today is like any other day; after training I go home, relax, then I´ll usually meet up with a teammate to go and have dinner or go shopping. I´m taking things nice and slow here.
Guillem: When you joined Rangers, was your plan to end up playing in the Premier League?
Cuellar: My dream has always been to play in the premier league. But when I arrived at Rangers all I was thinking about was having a good year there, and enjoy playing in a new league. I had the opportunity to play in the Champion’s League and the UEFA cup. I wasn´t really thinking about the Premier League, I was just thinking about playing for Rangers, we had a great year and I was just concentrating on enjoying those moments.
Guillem: When did you first become aware of the interest from Aston Villa?
Cuellar: In the Summer there were a few rumors published in the press about my future, but I did not hear anything from Rangers about the situation. When it happened it was a very quick process. I think that the main reason it all came about was the fact that we missed out on Europe, as soon as that happened my situation changed very quickly.
Guillem: You had your Villa debut in Bulgaria in the UEFA Cup. How was it?
Cuellar: I felt good, very comfortable; the most important thing was that I was able to finish the game having played hard for the full ninety minutes, especially having come back from injury. The team managed to win the game which is vital at such an early stage in the competition.
Guillem: What is strange is that you as a centre back are on the verge of succeeding in the Premier League. You have become the best foreigner in the Scottish League but in Spain we struggle to produce good centre backs?
Cuellar: After a few good years with Osasuna, I was lucky enough to have a chance to move on and try something new. I have always said that at home (Pamplona) they value you but perhaps not to the same extent as when you have had success abroad. I feel like here I am more valued than perhaps I am in Spain, and I am taking advantage of this.
Guillem: In the Summer, part of the success at Euro 2008 was due to Puyol and Marchena. Do you think that the national team needs more centre backs, maybe you could be the next one?
Cuellar: I think that in Spain there are good centre backs, as we saw at Euro 2008. We also have some good young centre backs like Albiol or Pique who are coming on well. Of course I would like to be part of the International set up but we already have good players in my position.
Guillem: Do you think that the experience of playing abroad has improved you?
Cuellar: Yes. Leaving the Spanish League gives you the opportunity to get to know different ways of working. You look at football in a different way because the mentality here is different. What is so important is that I am gaining confidence. Playing week in, week out against big teams and playing in Europe against teams from different leagues helps you develop on a professional level and also helps hone your senses as a footballer. You have to look at they way teams from around Europe approach the game and stay on top of things.
Guillem: What is Cuellar like as a player?
Cuellar: I’m not really one to talk about myself…I guess everyone has their point of view. What can I say, I am a tall centre back so I am strong in the air and I am comfortable on the ball.
Guillem: I think you are somebody who does not complicate matters. You take simple quick decisions which helps in the Premier League.
Cuellar: The truth is I had a coach that told me that the easier I played the better. That’s what I always try and achieve. Quick, simple play.
Guillem: What is happening in the world of football when players like yourself, Borja Valero and Cesc Fabregas are giving the best years of their careers to the Premier League.
Cuellar: Perhaps because English football has developed a lot in recent years, I think that at the moment it is the strongest league in Europe. Everyone wants to come here because the football culture is great and from what I have seen the atmosphere at the clubs is amazing, which is vital. A good working environment helps keep your feet on the ground and allows you to focus on developing as a player. I think it is the most complete league in the world in terms of the level of technical ability, physical strength and mentality sharpness on display.
Guillem: Have you had to forget about the tricks you learnt in the Spanish league to win free kicks and fool the referee?
Cuellar: You have to forget about all of that. Because your own teammates will give you a talking to if you start diving or trying to trick the referee. I think that if you come here you have to change your approach, but I am a defender so obviously I don’t have to worry about that stuff. Players that arrive from Spain thinking that tricking the referee is part of the process here have to rethink things quite quickly.
Guillem: What do you think Spanish players can add to the English League?
Cuellar: It’s difficult to say, they bring a different spark, and to a certain extent a different approach to the game. Spanish players come here wanting to open up a new path in their careers, so they have a great desire to impress when they are here, the speed and technique of the Spanish league is different so they bring something new to the English game.
Guillem: I saw you arrived in the same car as Borja Valero…you are rivals but you are helping each other get settled in.
Cuellar: Yes it’s normal. We are trying to help each other settle in as quickly as possible and get used to our lives here. We both want our lives here to become as normal as possible as quickly as possible.
Guillem: What is the target for your old club Osasuna this season?
Cuellar: Well, I think that the objective for Osasuna as always is to stay in the top flight. From there if they manage to achieve other things then that is a bonus, as was the case in previous years. But the fundamental objective for Osasuna is to stay in the top division, playing against the best teams.
Guillem: Are you following the Spanish league and what do you think is going to happen this year? Real Madrid and Barcelona fans are having their doubts and Kun Aguero is emerging as a real star.
Cuellar: Well I think that if you take Barcelona, they have a new look this year with Pep Guardiola and some new players. This has created a high level of expectation. Barcelona have not had a great start but I don’t think people need worry about the situation because he is a solid coach who will deliver. Barcelona have a great squad of players, I don’t think they will have that many problems; it is just a question of getting started. The players have to get used to the new coaching methods, then when they put a run of good results together, they are going to be a very difficult team to beat.
Real Madrid have to deal with the same level of expectation as always, they are obliged to win the League and at the same time put on a show. They aren’t having a great start either, they have conceded quite a few goals, in the last few games they have not played great football and as a consequence have put themselves under pressure. As far as Kun is concerned, his success is not a surprise to me, because his has come on so much over the last few years at Atletico. He is still so young and I am sure he will keep improving as there is still so much that he can learn.
Guillem: Do you think that playing abroad helps your chances of playing for the National Team? Or is it an obstacle for you?
Cuellar: I think that it helps me. At the moment I am playing in one of the biggest teams in England and I am competing in the best league and also in Europe. All this gives the coach a chance to have a look at you and at the same time I am gaining valuable experience.
Guillem: What are your goals for the season and what are the goals for Aston Villa?
Cuellar: I want to establish myself as a first team player and try and become an important player for my coach and for the club. The goals for the club are to try and get as far as we can in all competitions. We must try and do as we did last year and qualify for Europe. We must try and win the UEFA Cup and a domestic cup.
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