Valencia defender Adil Rami has defended his conduct in the wake of Mauricio Pellegrino’s sacking.
The French international was one of the players said to have had a poor attitude and lack of commitment at the time of Pellegrino’s dismissal, and was criticised for his jovial manner in a Press conference before the game against his former club Lille just days after the Coach’s removal.
“I think the players appreciate me, they think I’m a nice guy,” stated the 26-year-old in an interview with Superdeportes.
“I was happy to see the people of Lille, many memories came to my head, and honestly, that’s what I’m like. I’m a happy person and a positive guy, but that does not mean I don’t care about Pellegrino’s dismissal, because it also meant we were not doing things right.”
Rami went on to speak about the impact Pellegrino’s successor Ernesto Valverde has made, particularly in a defensive capacity.
“He’s a great Coach, very clear, when he talks he does not give you two options to choose from, he knows what the best way is. I can’t speak ill of Pellegrino, but every Coach has different ideas and I think Valverde’s correspond more to the Spanish League.
“We lacked a little help from the whole team together, now we are more enclosed and have kept a clean sheet in the last three games. For me [David] Albelda is very important, we need a player like him in the team.”
The Corsica native stressed the importance of Valencia taking maximum points from the back to back home games against Ray Vallecano and Getafe, before discussing his own future at the club.
“I have great confidence in my teammates and we know we have done the hard part, which is to win away in La Liga. It will not be easy to beat Rayo and Getafe but we have to win both games before the end of the year.
“I am not a mercenary, if I am in Valencia it is not because of money. I have had the chance to go and play for other clubs. Maybe I’m not as good as Roberto Ayala, but I’ve read that I’m wanted by Milan and Premier League clubs. I’m fine in Valencia, and that’s what is important. I am at a great club, I live with my girlfriend, the weather is spectacular, and I’m very comfortable with my colleagues.”
