Felipe Miñambres spoke to the media after the presentation of Ebert. The sporting director of Rayo was visibly angry about Paco's recent comments regarding the arrival of Zhang Chengdong. "I don't like lies", he began, although he didn't want to give further significance to the disagreement: "My relationship with Paco is good."
-How is the squad shaping up?
-I am calm, we are faster than usual. We need two attacking midfielders, a striker, and maybe a left back. We are waiting for responses to the offers we have made. There is still a lot of transfer market and things can change in the end.
-How is the player sales operation going?
-There are offers for players like Aguirre or Mojica. Soon we will start letting players go who the coach considers would benefit from getting minutes elsewhere.
-How is your relationship with Paco?
-My relationship with Paco is good. There are aspects that I don't like, but it's just his way of being. He knows that I knew about the Chinese player two years ago. I don't get involved in how he expresses himself, he has his way and I have mine, but I don't like lies. That's why I spoke with him yesterday. At the club, we want everyone to contribute, but we face many obstacles from the outside. When we lose 5-0, the first thing we do is give each other a hug. He publicly shares our problems and I don't like that. It bothers me when false information comes out because it also affects me. It's a well-known situation regarding a player that I chose, like ninety percent of the players who come. Nobody imposes anyone on me, I make the decisions. I thank the sponsor. I choose a player that I know and I tell the sponsor that I want him. He couldn't come last year, but this year he could, albeit with difficulties, otherwise no one would have come. Now he's just another player, then Paco will decide if he plays, nobody interferes with his duties. I don't talk much, but I like to be clear. The player is calm, but it has been difficult.
-So, when did Paco find out about Zhang's arrival?
-As soon as I arrived from China two years ago, he already knew that the player would come and he didn't express his disagreement.
-Do you understand Paco's complaints about signings like Toño, Miku, Chengdong...
-I know how he is. I am bothered by the statements about Zhang because of how they are. He is a great coach and he trusts in the sporting direction, he rarely gets involved in signings. Out of over a hundred signings, if three or four don't fit, it's not a big deal. I know that he wants the best for the team and if he sees that a player adds value, he will play them.
-Tell us about Zhang...
-In Portugal, he was more of an attacker and in China, he has also played as a full-back. Due to his physique, he can adapt to various positions, even as a defensive midfielder. He is a phenomenal player and he will adapt to whatever is needed.
-Raúl Jiménez.
-I hope he could come. There have been conversations and nothing is decided yet, he has an option in England.
-Michu.
-The situation remains the same. The circumstances have to align for everything to fit. People would love it and we haven't lost hope.
-Goalkeepers: Juan Carlos, Becerra...
-One will arrive soon.
-Correa.
-What happened last year was not a snub, his entourage understood that it was better for him to rest. This year, it seems that he won't leave and if he does, we will be there. We have inquired and it would be ideal for Rayo.