Sevilla FC sports director José Ignacio Navarro defended summer signings Robbie Ure and Lucas Stassin on Tuesday, asking for patience as the young forwards adapt to Spanish football.
Speaking after the XVII José Antonio Blázquez Awards and XIV Ruesga Bono Awards ceremony held on Tuesday, November 10, in Seville—an event where ElDesmarque was recognized for 20 years of reporting on the club—Navarro assessed the club’s position as the season approaches its one-third mark, reporting that the team sits firmly within its targets. He noted that the primary goal remains competitive match performances and avoiding dropped points both at home and away, adding that a final evaluation will wait until the end of the campaign.
He also recognized that well-directed criticism is constructive criticism, and emphasized the need to maintain the current points pace and team image while avoiding injuries. Navarro addressed reporters across various outlets, including Zona Mixta and SFC +, noting that the sports management team works calmly with medium and long-term targets such as the winter and summer transfer windows in mind, continuously scouting players of interest.
Navarro also discussed the club’s broader strategy, noting that summer squad departures were mandatory and necessary to meet budgetary limits, with the resulting squad cost limit fully utilized on the field leaving no current margin for new additions without altering that limit.
He praised the wider club staff, including youth and first-team coaches, and acknowledged head coach Luis García Plaza for stabilizing the squad after taking over following Matías Almeyda’s departure, noting that García Plaza brought necessary knowledge of LaLiga and the squad, achieved survival, and earned a contract extension.
Navarro stated that the club has not yet spoken about extending Luis García Plaza’s contract further after 12 matchdays, noting that his current deal runs until matchday 38 because attention is entirely focused on the upcoming match.
Addressed by club media regarding the team’s finishing issues, Navarro separated individual goalscorers from the broader attacking framework, stating that management remains satisfied with the squad’s offensive behavior. He added that the dressing room has helped welcome and adapt the young players.
One thing are the goalscorers and another is the offensive behavior of the team,
Navarro said.
In that behavior we are happy with the team. You have to give those players that point of patience, they are young players. Lucas comes from a French second division, has been called up by the under-21 of his country, he is not yet a senior. Robbie comes from the Swedish league and has just debuted with Scotland. I think we have to have peace of mind and reinforce the adaptation of those players.
Turning to squad planning, Navarro confirmed that Sevilla’s desire and intention is for Andrés Castrín to remain a Sevilla player for upcoming seasons, with the club having presented a contract renewal offer to his agents.
The club’s proposal is competitive, valid, and reflects Sevilla’s current economic and sporting reality, with management now awaiting a response from the player’s agents to secure his future alongside efforts to settle the broader squad project.
Sevilla turns its full attention toward the upcoming fixture against Real Betis scheduled for November 21.
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