Defender Gabriel Mercado believes his decision to join Sevilla means he will now be working with one of the best coaches in the world.
The Argentina international was signed from River Plate last week for a fee of €2.5m, and admits that the prospect of linking up with former Chile national team boss Jorge Sampaoli at the Sanchez Pizjuan was too good to turn down.
“He is a very prestigious Coach, one of the world’s best, and the fact he looked at me is a great honour,” expressed Mercado at his official presentation.
“This is a very big challenge for me and it comes with a lot of responsibility, filling the positions left by some major players, but it is an honour to defend this shirt and I hope I am at the same level as a club this big.
“I’m aware what kind of a club I’ve come to and I’m going to give it my best.”
Mercado did not feature in the European Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid in Norway but maintains he is in good physical condition ahead of Sunday’s Supercopa de Espana clash with Barcelona.
“I’ve had a week training with the rest of the players and I’m in condition to play. I feel good.
“I missed the other Super Cup final but I was proud of my new teammates as they were seconds away from winning the title.
“Now we are two games away from another title, a new opportunity, and one which the dressing room is desperate to take advantage of.”
