Juanfran hoped Villa would stay

Juanfran has revealed he tried to talk David Villa into staying at Atletico Madrid but couldn’t stop the Spain striker moving to New York City FC.

Speaking at a Press conference, the Spain international added that Villa had enough quality to automatically become one of MLS’ most dangerous players.

“For MLS to have Villa coming is extraordinary,” Juanfran said, according to Marca.

“I have a very good relationship with him but haven’t managed to convinced him to stay another year at Atleti.

“It will be a challenge for him and I am sure he will be one of the best players in the League or the best.”

Diego Costa has also been in the news – both as he recovers from injury and with speculation he could follow Villa out of Vicente Calderon.

Juanfran backed Costa to be one of the stars of the World Cup but stressed he didn’t know the striker’s future.

“I’m confident Costa will be one of the World Cup’s best players,” Juanfran said.

“He will make this team great. Everything will be close and the team with more enthusiasm and greater dreams will be on top.

“I see this team with many ambitions to compete.

“I’m sure no one from the national team will come and tell him to leave Atleti. But I don’t think about anything other than La Roja.

“I’ll ask when we’re finished. Hopefully he’ll stay because for me he is one of the best players in the world.”

Koke’s future has similarly been discussed in the Press but Juanfran expects the midfielder to remain with Los Colchoneros for the long haul.

“At 22 he is one of the best around in his position and if he continues to progress,” Juanfran continued.

“He is the present and the future of the national team and hopefully he’ll captain Atletico, as he wants to, and will help us win things.”

Tags David Villa Diego Costa Juanfran Koke
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