Soriano sets out Depor's roadmap and explains the arrivals of Giménez and Casadó

The signings of José María Giménez and Marc Casadó were one of the main topics addressed by Fernando Soriano. The club's football director outlined how both deals were finalised and stressed the excitement shown by the two players.

«Casadó and Giménez's purchase options are not mandatory. José María's negotiations came earlier. We had been in talks for days. Both have put a lot of themselves into it; we could feel the excitement, and in the end we are not only looking for players, but also for passion. They are going to fit in»

Casadó's arrival was confirmed on the final day of the window, after prior contact between the two sides.

«Marc's negotiations happen on the last day. We had contact three years ago, when we wanted to bring him into the Second Division project. There was a Galician agent who helped us explain the project to him, but at that time it could not happen. This year he had many options, but they did not satisfy the parties. At the last moment, the chance to go out on loan came up, and we were in a good position. When the options he has are put to him, the decision was quick. Massimo said it was difficult because the paperwork for both came in late. Giménez's came through with less than 100 seconds to spare»

Soriano did not want to reveal the amounts agreed in the deals or the clause included in Giménez's contract.

«We cannot talk about figures. This confidentiality is set out in the contracts»

Yeremay, with no official offer

The Deportivo executive denied that the club has received a formal proposal for Yeremay and said the club does not plan to weaken the squad while it fights to stay in LaLiga EA Sports.

«I don't know if Yere was there. With us there were conversations, but no proposal came through. The club does not want to sell; it is the player who has to ask to leave»

«We have staying in LaLiga EA Sports burned into our minds. We are going to fight for it to the death, and we are not going to weaken ourselves in situations we do not need»

«There has been nothing official for Yeremay. There has been talk about important situations, but they were straightforward to manage. They made me lose very little time, because the player did not convey anything to me»

Soriano explained that the club's policy is to keep hold of the players it considers important and sell only when it believes they do not have a place in the squad.

«We have been very clear about that, especially in Yeremay's case. Our plan is not to sign just to have the need to sign; it is sustainable over time. We sign for immediate performance because we need it. If Depor does not look for a sale, the player will want to say that he wants to leave. That has not happened yet. When we have had to move someone on, it is because we believed they did not have a place in the squad. For example with Luis (Chacón). We saw that he did not have a spot, maybe mistakenly, and the sale happens. In Yeremay's case, for example, we have not negotiated with anyone because the club does not want him to leave»

A transfer window shaped by the aim of staying up

The football director described the level of involvement during the window as maximum and said the squad has been built with the goal of competing in LaLiga EA Sports. He also highlighted the arrival of experienced players to help balance the group.

«I don't know. What I can say is that the excitement and the drive have been at their highest, with the dedication to create a squad of good people. We know we are in LaLiga EA Sports and that securing survival is going to cost us everything. We have a very large squad. We need experienced players, and in the end they have been able to come and they balance the squad»

On financial planning, Soriano said that what was expected has been respected by both Depor and LaLiga, with no major sale that would have altered the budget.

«Planning has been carried out perfectly, ours and the League's. There has been no major sale that would have changed the budget we had set. We knew where we could get to»

He also did not specify how much the wage limit has increased, although he announced that the club will provide an explanation next week.

«I don't know how much the wage limit has gone up. Next week there will be a club appearance to explain it. I do know how much we ended up with»

To convince the players, the club focuses on passion for the project and adapts the message to each player's profile.

«In many cases, players arrive because of their effort. Being able to find passion in the players who come here is very important. Everything else goes into the background. Many times, when you talk to certain player profiles, you know where you have to emphasise»

«José María said it: these are players who are already more driven by the profile»

In that sense, Soriano summed up the appeal of the project in three pillars: the club's stability, the backing of the fans, and the work of the different departments.

«The project has three important aspects: stability, which has allowed us to professionalise the club and generate resources that make for significant sustainability over time; the fans, their loyalty and trust, with a large number of renewals and what they generate both inside and outside the stadium also forms one of the foundations we rely on; and the team of people I am part of, with the different departments. Everyone adds extra value, and we are managing to make Depor a powerful brand»

«When we say things, we try to make them happen. We work very far ahead; it is not just about working for tomorrow. It is a long-term project and that is something that has to be communicated. I think it is being achieved, so it is possible to make this kind of signing. It has nothing to do with money, but with passion»

The squad and departures

Soriano admitted that he would prefer smaller groups and explained the situation of Dani Barcia, who had options to look for minutes away from Deportivo but decided to stay and fight for a place.

«It's true that I like squads that are a bit shorter. With Dani, we talked and we explained his situation. There were plenty of options to find the minutes here, at least initially, he was not getting. He has decided to fight to try to earn the spot, to keep working as he has done since he arrived as a youngster. We were clear with him about his situation; we like to be aware and consistent with what we see day to day»

The departures section was the one that left the sporting director least satisfied, as he said work was done on more operations than those that were ultimately completed.

«Departures are the part that leaves me least satisfied. It's true that we worked on some more than what actually happened. I like to be direct and try to do what I would like them to have done with me, even though sometimes it is complicated. You know very clearly what the situation is and what our recommendation is. Once the deadline passes, you have to work to try to earn your place. I do not tell any player whether he is going to play or not; it is a situation they have to win with the coach. They have to make the decisions»

Depor's strategy also includes bringing in experienced players. In that area, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has helped with some arrangements, Soriano said.

«All contracts have to include clauses. It is hard for me to think that a player with this profile would look at those clauses»

«He has helped us with some calls. We are looking to cover a series of parameters: talent, youth and experience. Each one brings what he can»

A project with the same goal

The sporting goal has not changed: Depor wants to establish itself in LaLiga EA Sports with a sustainable project, supported as well by the academy and by greater internal demands.

«I want to keep myself out of the way in the good and the bad moments. We know what our goal is and what our project is. The objectives are still the same; we have very solid foundations for the project to be sustainable. There are more pillars than the financial side, such as the academy, where we have increased the level of demand»

The football director also spoke about his position within the club and the responsibility he takes on towards the fans.

«I don't feel like an idol. When they sing something negative at you, it always affects you personally. You go through sadness, but I try to be as normal as possible. You will never see too much euphoria in me. And it's not only my job; I have to face up to things, but there are people behind me who are, at the very least, just as important as I am. Now it is time for the team on the pitch to be able to generate the excitement and passion we are looking for»