Real Betis defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos has been confident of his future in Sevilla, with his contract at the end of the season. The 35-year-old Greek defender joined Betis as a free agent as an emergency signing due to an injury to Marc Bartra in October.
He has since emerged as a useful resource for Manuel Pellegrini, who has used him frequently in Chadi Riad's absence as Morocco head into the African Cup of Nations. Socrates said Relief that his family was far away was a problem, and he did not engage in his future.
“I'm very good with everyone, we talk a lot, but the first thing is to finish the year and then I have to think. I have a problem with the family, which is very far. I can't change the children's schools… L The important thing is to finish the year in Europe, next year we have to play in Europe and when the season ends we will have time to talk and make a decision.
It has been a long and fruitful career for Sokratis, who has had his share of brilliant managers besides Manuel Pellegrini, LiverpoolJurgen Klopp, Bayern Munich's Thomas Tuchel, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Aston Villa's Unai Emery.
“Everyone has something special. Klopp outside the field is a psychologist, he is a friend of the player. Tuchel is a coach like Arteta, tactically very strong. A lot of work is done to do the same things later on the field . Emery works a lot, he's a very strong tactician. He went to Arsenal for two years. He's a person I admire, isn't he? has been a very important person in my career.”
He also explained that despite not seeing much game time under Arteta, he did not hold it against him, and could see the influence of his time with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
“Yes, the second year under Arteta I did not play, but playing or not playing does not influence my assessment. From the first moment you could see that he was a coach for the high level. He spent four or five years with the phenomenon, with Guardiola. He is a very strong coach.”
With Bartra still out of contract, and Riad potentially on the move in the summer, there is little certainty about central defense at Betis for next year. Sporting director Manu Fajardo has his work cut out for him in his first season in charge of recruitment, with only German Pezzella looking like a guarantee in central defense next season.
