Pedro Chirivella (Valencia, May 23, 1997) is one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1. Fundamental to Nantes, where he won the Cup last year, this season he is enjoying playing in the Europa League where he will face he owns Barca. About that, and much more, he spoke to Mundo Deportivo.
What balance are you making with what’s going on this year?
It cost more than last year. Perhaps also because they play in European competitions. I would say regular because in Ligue 1 we are not good, but we are very happy for passing the round of 16 of the Europa League.
They can have a pairing with Barça. Do they like it?
Yes. As a Spaniard I want to face Barça or Sevilla, both of which can touch us, but we will play against Juventus and it will be a very good tie.
What must be done to overcome Juventus?
There is almost a month left, but the good thing is that we have stopped the bleeding in terms of goals conceded. Against a team like Juventus, one of the keys is to defend well. We need to get a good result in Turin and then finish the job with the home lap.
When you were a child, who was your idol?
The first, Zinedine Zidane. Later, I paid attention to midfielders like Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernández.
From 2013 to 2020 you belonged to Liverpool, what memories do you have of that period?
I have very good memories even with difficult moments. I learned a lot and grew a lot both on a football level and on a personal level.
The Anfield atmosphere is second to none.
Being lucky enough to be able to play there and be on the field while ‘You’ll never walk alone’ is playing is something I will tell my children and grandchildren.
Do you remember the first game you saw on a soccer field?
He is 4 years old and is a Valencia-Villarreal. In Mestalla. Robert Fernández, who is a friend of my parents, played.
At what point did you realize football was serious?
My only training team was Valencia and every year I saw that I played a lot of minutes. As a cadet in the first year, I played in youth A and that’s when I started to see myself close to professional football.
Do you think PSG’s hegemony in France will end one day or is it just growing?
At the player level he is two or three steps above the rest. It will be very difficult to take a league away from him in the coming years.
How is life in Nantes?
Well, I have quite adapted to the city. I don’t live too far from the center and I like to go out for a quiet coffee in the afternoon. I am very comfortable.
There are footballers who completely disconnect when they get home. Others watch soccer all the time. What group is he in?
Just a moment. I watch all the games I can, mainly from LaLiga and Premier. There are times when I have a game on the TV and another on the tablet.
Do you like video games?
Every hour less. Every year when FIFA comes out, I buy it. But every time I left before.
Which rival impressed you the most?
The first that comes to mind is Leo Messi. When you face him you will know that he plays differently. He seemed to walk 90 minutes but he left Mbappé alone in front of the goalkeeper five times, Neymar another three … You spend a week preparing the game so that he does not receive the ball and in the end he is the one who receives the most.
What is playing good football?
Do what you can, whatever it is, to be close to a good result. We know that recovering from the back, one action can end in our shot and four in the shot from the opponent. Not everyone gives a pass and plays nice.
How does Nantes play?
It’s different from what I’ve experienced before, but I’ve adapted well to playing with a few touches like we do here.
Is Ligue 1 PSG weak and 19 teams or is there more level than it seems?
There are more levels than people think. It is a very fun championship, with very good young footballers, and the one with the most effective time in all the major leagues in Europe.
If you could sign one teammate out of all the teammates you have, who would it be?
Virgil van Dijk.
Who is the best friend the world of soccer has given you?
Carlos Soler, Toni Lato, Fabio da Silva and Andrei Girotto, and many more.
Do you want to go back to Spain?
They know it in the club and everyone knows it. After Nantes my first choice was always to go back to Spain. I don’t know when, but I’ve played more than 200 games as a professional and never in my country. I want to show my level there.
What dreams have you yet to fulfill in the world of football?
The first, being a full international in Spain, and also playing in the Champions League, which I have never done. I have to present my best version to achieve this.
If Nantes wins the Europa League, what promise can you keep?
I dyed my hair yellow and green and left it that way as long as I was in Nantes.
Where will you be in five years?
I want to be international in Spain and be an important player in European competitions. I am 25 years old, room for improvement and desire to continue learning.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
