Sevilla defender Nico Pareja believes the Andalusians will continue to be successful despite Federico Fazio’s transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.
Argentine international centre-back Fazio had been at the Sanchez Pizjuan seven years before his departure for White Hart Lane last week, the Londoners meeting the €10m release clause in his contract.
However, Pareja insists there is no cause for despondency and that Sevilla only have to look back to the start of last season for inspiration.
“When I arrived last year they were talking about the sales of Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo, but we ended up winning the Europa League and finishing fifth in La Liga,” the former Espanyol man told a Press conference.
“We will need to adapt but other high quality players have come in. I think we will continue the same way and, as last year showed, it’s not names that are important but the group.”
Los Rojiblancos suffered a blow this week with the news that reserve goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa, signed from Las Palmas this summer, has joined first choice Beto on the injured list.
It means boss Unai Emery may have to turn to third-tier Sevilla Atletico stopper Sergio Rico if either fails to recover in time for the resumption of football after the international break. Nonetheless, Pareja has given his backing to the 21-year-old, who has never played a competitive game for the first team, if he is called upon.
“Sergio has been doing a lot of work with us. I think he is ready and he has our support and confidence,” explained Pareja.
