Frank Gonzalez: "I don’t know my son’s pressure. “

“Thank you very much, captain.” After taking a picture with him, some barnacle appreciates his attention Fran Gonzalez (Carreira, July 14, 1969), who asked them about their day when they came out of the water, next to the Tower of Hercules, in A Coruña. There, the legendary former Deportivo midfielder chose to take photos after breakfast, attending the MD in the city center. “A decaf cut and a small croissant. If chocolate is possible, it’s better.” far away, he lives on the upbringing of his son Nicolás, a Barça midfielder.

Father of a soccer player, but at work he is on the other side.

I realize how difficult it all is. There are many agents, demands on the parent, each child has his or her own problem, coach … But on the other hand, there is a very good part, to see the growth and development of children, that is the positive, what. makes me happy.

It will return to the disposal of the quarry.

If you want a project in the future, there must be a feeling. That is given to you by people who absorb football instinctively. It was a very difficult time for Deportivo in the First RFEF, with the aim of climbing. Now there are three children, from 2002 and 2003, on the first team. This is a very important step. We need to prepare them as much as possible so that they can take advantage of the opportunity when it comes to them.

He calls them children.

Yes, but for this there is a structure around it. Psychologists, physical preparation, technology … They prepare to be ready for the elite. There is a lot of pressure, like it or not. And this is the hardest step and many fall by the wayside. You have to be calm. The important thing is to give them opportunities as long as they have a choice and are ready. Demand is very high.

The team arrived in A Coruña, a city that has proven to continue to be a football fan. Did you think Nico would make his Riazor debut?

It’s a lot of gossip, but what is it? You need to be aware that in order to be included in the national team you need to have more continuity on a daily basis. The kid is even more pleased because he has already played 30 or 35 official games with Barça’s first team and he can’t imagine it. You have to go through the stages gradually. I’m one of those who says sometimes you don’t have to hurry.

Is everything too fast?

Ultimately, the results are commanding. And more in Barcelona. We have to win. I agree you have to keep the style, which Barça has given everything since Cruyff arrived. This is another way of understanding the game, another story. This is the essence of hard work in football, but ultimately you have to win. And if young people are playing it is because they are trained to win.

Are they the basis of success?

If you teach kids to play in that style and they are the base on the first team, you are on the right path. Success depends on how some players feel towards the club. If you mix that with the first swords, it’s perfect.

Pedri, Gavi or Nico are always compared to Xavi, Iniesta … Should we run away from here?

This is part of the pressure. Until one day they are themselves. It’s a process, it’s the law of football.

But is this fair? Because Luis Enrique says football is very different now, so he himself will not be international today.

I will not allow Luis there. In football you get used to it. I started here when I was 18 years old. He’s certainly not ready to play in the First Division, but he’s in the Second Division. This is part of my process. I grew as the team grew. And we ended up with the Champions. You go in there and if you have the conditions you fit what they suggest. There are differences, but the player also changes depending on the football.

And the context and the moment.

The player who is worthwhile has to leave a yes or no: To play in Barcelona, ​​there on loan or looking for opportunities elsewhere. And sometimes you can come back. Because the best in the world is in Barça. It’s one of the top eight teams, where everyone wants to go. And there the cards were distributed. If you don’t get the chance, because Barça think you’re not ready yet, you’ll lend and show things off.

Are you talking about Nico?

No, by anyone. Here are the players who left Depor when they were 19 or 20 years old and played in the First Division.

Yes, but in Barça it is difficult to leave a loan. And most of all come back later.

See you Cucurella. I remember when he was at Barça B and now he plays in the First Division. O Adam, who left and returned. There will be opportunities, but you need to have a level.

Can you imagine everything happening to Nico?

I know Nicolás very well and I know his potential. I think it’s always easier to play with the above. The better those with you, they will give you better and then you need to have the physical and technical qualities to take advantage of everything they give you.

That mindset.

In Barça they prepare you for it. Nico has been there since he was 11 years old. Sometimes I’m not aware of the pressure I’m experiencing. It’s a pressure that means that later, when these kids have the chance, they’re ready for it. And at least most. Another thing is the conditions we are talking about to play for Barça. That is available to very little.

We should add that Nico has a footballer father. Does that increase or decrease?

You can give a lot of advice but ultimately the child himself will make his or her decisions. And to Nicolás it was like that. I can say what I want, that he has always has his personality, his way of seeing things … He decides. Yes, it is true that he listens and he knows the things he needs to improve. But it wasn’t easy, it was a process and helped him move the family with him to Barcelona. That is key, that the child is surrounded by his parents and siblings. It’s easier to deal with pressure when you’re not playing, when things aren’t working out for you. Occasionally I also have to slap him on the wrist, because I know his potential. For them not to settle because they are entering the comfort zone and believe everything is fine.

Why did you decide on Barcelona?

That was him and the mother. Fortunately and we had the opportunity to accompany him because I think it is not good to leave a child alone when he is 11 years old. It must be very hard, they are not ready. Lots of problems, a school, a few marks to get … Now there are a lot of distractions: videogames, internet … And you have to always be there, insisted, so that his life is in order.

It starts when Nico stops being Fran’s son and Fran starts when Nico’s father?

That’s normal. This is part of football. Ultimately, it was Nicolás González and weather. And he needs to develop his football life. If he was left -handed, they probably would have compared him more … but he was right handed, tall, strong and blond. The comparison ended quickly.

What do you think you need to improve?

The main thing is physical preparation. Football has become very physical. Nicolás grew up a lot and that body movement was always complicated. That takes place in more minutes, with more diligence in the game. It was a matter of time, he was very young, his first amateur year and the step he took was overwhelming. The only thing you need to have is patience. What more can we ask for. You need to have a certain calm for it to grow old. Get used to this new need. Everything is faster, there are better rivals … it’s a matter of time.

And of minutes.

Obviously the more you play, the bigger the learning and the sooner you adapt.

In Barcelona, ​​it seems like you have to stay until they kick you out, but you were more open then. Maybe it’s time to look for a few minutes?

I don’t mean it in that sense, I wasn’t talking about Nico. But there are a lot of kids and not all of them will play on the first team. There is a high level and a lot of demand at Barça and very little will remain.

Now, with these good kids, they have started to build a team that is more stable and has a future.

You need to secure your future, then.

I think that’s betting.

A new contract will also be proposed to Nico.

I don’t know, seriously.

They just changed agents. Now it is carried by Jorge Mendes.

I haven’t changed, that’s him.

Boy’s decision, then.

Of course. Nicholas has an opinion. He decided to go to Barça at the age of 11, stay at the club at the age of 16, and now renew his last contract. His dream is to succeed in Barcelona. And be a Barça player whenever possible. What is dominant, beyond the agent, is what he wants.

Have you seen him for many years at Barça?

It will depend on his performance, on so many things … When he debuted he fulfilled a dream, how many kids in La Masia or in the world would want to be there?

Now the hard thing is to stay.

That’s the next thing. He has played over 30 games and that has not been easy either. He debuted in the year of greatest difficulty. With Messi everything has become easier and now it is a very difficult time for everyone.

He debuts Koeman and Xavi takes him to every game.

This is his first year, there is a world in the future. Iniestas, Xavis had their two years. First it will convince him and then gradually, according to the results and his performance.