Last season he was one of Athletic’s most used players by Marcelino. In the League, without participating further, he participated in 34 games, 29 of them as a starter, completing a total of 2,395 minutes. Only Unai Simón, Muniain and Iñaki Williams played longer.
Valverde’s arrival, however, relegated him to the bench. His presence in the eleven days played was practically testimonial. Three games starting from the bench and all three after 70 minutes. Only six rojiblancos played less: Paredes, Adu Ares, Capa and the unprecedented Balenziaga, Agirrezabala and Iru.
“This season is different for me. I hold onto it as best I can. Working every day, as I always do, and trying to give the coach reasons to see if I can get in there,” said Vencedor.
The Bilbao footballer clarified that his current situation “is not easy when you come from many games last season. You have to keep contributing whenever you come out with what you have and work on it. I’m not looking for explanations. There is a manager and a very high competition, more so after the arrival of Ander Herrera, and he chooses that eleven play. The rest of us continue to make it difficult to be there too”.
No loan will be issued
When asked about the possibility of leaving on loan in the winter market, Vencedor is shown with the same force as on grass. “I am from Athletic until death. This is the perfect place, where I should be. And I am here to help the team with anything necessary and get a position”, he specified.
The one from Rekalde, in any case, is also very clear that “I’m still young and I need to play.” Now I have time and I’m fine with it. Be comfortable and work every day to turn the situation around”.
Pressed on the question of whether he thinks too much about the fact of going from the start to the substitute, the Atletico midfielder repeated that “I am not obsessed, and I am not blocking myself. It is a new situation that I have to face and knowing how to face each day to get the best out of me when I can”.
Despite little being said, Valverde used Vencedor’s services on Sunday at the Camp Nou with a score of 4-0 against. “Anyone who can jump on the field is welcome and to give those minutes the importance of trying to help the team in any way”.
This Sunday, with Dani García and Ander Herrera ruled out due to injury, new options open up against Villarreal, a rival who despite the change on the bench from Quique Setién to Emery will have, according to him, “the same ambition and the same desire to win forever. Direct rivals and we will go for the three points”.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
