Pozo: ‘I’ll try to give it my all to help the team’
The attacking midfielder is presented as a new player and points out that he would like UD Almeria to win promotion and stay in Primera for many years
Alejandro Pozo, a loanee from Sevilla FC, is the last summer signing to be presented at Juegos Mediterraneos. He is the only one who has already debuted with UD Almeria against Malaga CF because he has not had any adaptation issues. In fact, he stressed ‘when you arrive you hardly know anyone, but I coincided with Curro, Carriço, Chumi and Buñuel, who is one of my best friends, so we know each other very well.’ In addition, as he added, ‘I did the pre-season with Sevilla FC and I came physically well. The head coach gave me his confidence and I’ll try to give it my all, speed and nerve to help the team.’
Pozo was introduced by UD Almeria General Manager Mohamed El Assy, who stressed ‘he’ll be very useful because he can play in multiple positions and he has many qualities. If we moved up, it’d also be very valid for the Top Tier. That is why I’m very optimistic about his signing.’
The 22-year-old Sevillian footballer has played in the last seasons in Primera with SD Eibar and RCD Mallorca on loan from Sevilla FC, with whom he has also played in LaLiga. When he was asked if he thinks that he took a step back when signing for UD Almería, he replied ‘not at all’; The UD Almería project is really interesting, I’ve come to contribute, hopefully it’ll be the year of promotion and we’ll all be elated to move up and be able to stay in Primera for a long time, it’d be a good sign.’
The Huévar del Aljarafe-born already knows what a promotion to the top flight feels like. Pozo achieved it with Granada CF on his first loan from Sevilla FC. In this regard, he stated ‘The atmosphere in the dressing room is vital when it comes to performing well on the pitch. Having a good group in such a tough Segunda Division makes it easier to move forward in the bad moments that will surely be there, that's when you have to turn the situation around. I have no pressure at all, the goal is to gain promotion like years ago. We’re focusing on creating a very united group and going game by game to collect three points in each one. At the end of the season, everything will be valued and hopefully we’ll have won promotion.’
Regarding his preferred position on the field, he explained ‘I feel comfortable in both positions as a winger and full-back. I played as a winger in Primera Division, but I’ve been playing as a winger all my life. Rubi wants me to face it and give it my all. He knows me well as he has faced me years ago and he knows what I can contribute to the team.’
Despite his age, he has wide experience competing in professional football. He has also been international in the lower ranks and has made his debut with the Spain squad: ‘Every day you learn something new. The best players are part of the Spain squad and becoming of the captains at U21 level as well as debuting with the Spain squad helps a lot. I’ve dreamed about that since I was little.’