The pair were part of Spain’s successful 2011 U19 European Championship winning side, with Loeptegui a coach as Sarabia – who also scored twice during the competition – captained the team to glory. Although their paths crossed at Sevilla for only a matter of weeks, the pair have reunited at Molineux and the head coach has stressed the importance of Sarabia quickly adapting to the Premier League having never played English football before.
On bringing Sarabia to Wolves
“He’s a player that I’ve known a long time. He’s here to help us to get our aims and we are happy that he is here. He’s never played in England before, so it’s important that he has to adapt very quickly, but he’s an experienced player and he’s going to help us, undoubtedly.
“The conversation was that he wanted to play in the Premier League, he wanted to play here and we wanted him to come here. We all agreed and now we are going to work very hard to get his dream, and our dream, which is to achieve our main aim of being out of the relegation zone at the end of the season.
“He can play in different positions; as a winger, as a number 10, but above all, he’s a good player and the good players can adapt in every situation.”
On getting familiar with the Premier League
“He has his strengths and he can help in different positions. He has played more as a winger, but he can play as a number 10, but that’s not as important in this situation. What’s most important is that he is able to make good decisions, be able to play well and to work hard with the ball.
“He’s an experienced player who can help us, of course he has to adapt to England and the rhythm of the game, of course he can adapt to the quality of the game, but it’s the rhythm of the matches which is important.
“We have to do all of our work quickly, as soon as possible, in individual and collective actions, but I think he wants to be here a lot, which is important to us, and he’s going to work very hard to be able to adapt very quickly.”
On his own adaptations
“I am from the north of Spain so this weather is not a problem for me. Nothing is surprising me here in England, I am enjoying all of the matches, all of the fans, all of the stadiums, of course.
“You can see this on the TV when you are watching on the TV, but now we are living it directly. But we are focused not to be enjoying it a lot, but to be able to help our team to win matches, this is the most important thing now.”
Happy and exciting new challenge ⚫️🟡 Vamos Wolves 🐺💪 pic.twitter.com/19VrwwBeyZ
— Pablo Sarabia Garcia (@Pablosarabia92) January 18, 2023
On transfer window uncertainty
“We are focusing on being able to find the potential of our strengths with the players who are currently here in our squad. This is the most important thing. It’s not to waste our strengths in the players who are not here.
“We have to focus on those who are here, but after, we will see. While the market is open, different things can happen.
On Guedes’ loan move to Benfica
“He wants to go out and we wish him the best. He’s a good guy, a good player and I think he’s going to be happier there and we wish him all the best.
“He wanted to leave, and you can’t have players who are unhappy here, so we had to wish him all the best, because I think it’s a pity, as he’s a good player and a good guy.”
