Salvio: 'I want to stay at Atlético and do well for the club'
'I'm happy here, the project looks good'
Eduardo Salvio showed his delight to be starting the new season at Atlético de Madrid. The Argentine player, who was playing last season at Benfica, comes fresh to start at the Vicente Calderón and almost ready to join the squad having trained at the same rate as his teammates.
The Atlético player made it clear that 'my intention is to stay. Since arriving at Atlético de Madrid I never wanted to go but due to the circumstances I had to leave. Here I am, I hope to do my best, re-find my best and stay at Atlético.'
As for the reasons to continue at Atlético de Madrid, Salvio was resounding. 'Atletico is my club and is the first club who notice me and bought me. I wanted to make it here from the start, but I had to leave and I was very happy at Benfica. I tried my best and I was fine. Which player would not be in a club where you play and your treat well. Obviously, I was very happy there but I belong to Atlético de Madrid and my new goal is to win here, to do good and I do not want to leave,' he said.
As to whether he was happy with the new manager Gregorio Manzano said: 'I am happy to be in this group. The project seems very good. It’s just the beginning and we hope to give the best for Atlético and that we´re all pulling in the same direction to do well this season.'
He was on loan at Benfica and when asked about whether he wanted to stay in Portugal he said 'at the end of the season they told me they wanted me to stay but the Benfica had the option to buy me until the 31st of May, and they did not, I belong to Atlético de Madrid and that’s that”.
On the injury that prevented him from finishing last season he clarified. 'I'm much better than I expected. I could train with the group, I am very happy about that and I feel good. In a few days I'll be completely fine,' he said.
He´s only thinking about staying at Atléti, despite the fact that there are several non-EU players. 'I am confident in my condition and being one of those who stays. We obviously have six players and some have to leave, but I’m not thinking about that, I’m only thinking about training and staying at Atlético de Madrid,' he said.
When asked about the situation of countryman Kun Agüero, Salvio said 'Agüero is with Atlético de Madrid and I hope he stays. For all players he’s a very important player that all teams would like to have on their books. I hope he stays here because he adds a lot and is very important for the team and the club.'
He was asked by a new teammate who he knows from playing against him last season in the Portuguese League, Silvio. 'I think he’s a great player and a great signing. He has shown it in Braga. He had a great season. He can play on the left or right. It is a great signing,' he said.
Finally, asked about the message the squad received from Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, CEO of the Club. 'He told us to all pull in the same direction. We have to build a great Atléti and return to being the big team that is Atlético de Madrid,' he concluded.