The midfielder joined the club on Tuesday, in time to watch his new side in FA Cup action that evening and has since integrated himself in the group preparing for the challenge of Manchester City this weekend. That preparation has come under Julen Lopetegui, who the 30-year-old worked under at Real Madrid and Spain, and alongside Matheus Nunes and Adama Traore, who he shared a dressing room with previously, and, as a collective, Sarabia is determined to achieve their targets this season.
On joining Wolves
“I’m very happy to be here and to have the opportunity to play here. I really can’t wait for the first competitive game to come around so I can start playing and helping the team, because that’s what I’m here for.
“They’ve been pretty full-on days so far. Very intense, all of this week, and now we have the game against City coming up next. I’m really happy to begin training and start getting used to my team mates, so I can get to know each of them and their style of play, to enable me to settle in as quickly as possible.
“I know the Premier League but haven’t managed to play here, but now at my new club, I have the chance to play, and to be able to show what I can do and do my bit for the team.”
On the Lopetegui impact
“He was very important in the decision that I made. I used to be coached by him in various sides in the Real Madrid youth set-up. I was with him in a number of the different age-groups with Spain too. So, we have some good memories working together.
“He’s always been a great coach, I really like his ideas and the style which he plays the game, and it’s true that he played a vital role in enabling me to be here at the club today.”
Happy and exciting new challenge ⚫️🟡 Vamos Wolves 🐺💪 pic.twitter.com/19VrwwBeyZ
— Pablo Sarabia Garcia (@Pablosarabia92) January 18, 2023
On his opening days
“Everything’s been great since I first arrived here. My team mates have been really nice and friendly with me and they’ve been there to help me and I know some of the backroom staff from before, the people who used to work with Lopetegui. They’re all helping me to settle in as quickly as possible and trying to enable me to be performing at my highest level as soon as I possibly can.”
On knowing the squad
“With one or two of the lads our paths have crossed. Last season I had the chance to play alongside Matheus Nunes at Sporting. We played together all season and when I told him I was coming here he was really pleased. I’ve also played against some of the other guys too, in opposition to them.
“I’ve played in the national side with Adama. We were both called up to one or two of the same squads on international duty with Spain. It’s been really excellent, the way in which all the players have welcomed me here and as a result I’m very pleased indeed.”
On his World Cup experience
“It was an unforgettable experience, it was just incredible. I’d played in a Euros before but being able to represent your country and play in a World Cup is just something really special, and every player wants to do that.
“It’s the highest thing that a player can aspire to in terms of international football. I was fortunate enough, after a lot of hard work, to have the chance to be there and represent my country at the World Cup finals in Qatar.”
On being able to play multiple positions
“I do feel comfortable playing anywhere across the attack, either on the left or the right, or just in behind the central striker. What I really enjoy is when I’m close to the penalty area. I like to be in and around the penalty area so I can be close to goal also, and in turn try to convert or create something decisive.
“I like to make assists and score goals, so you have to be close to the box. I can play on either the right or the left and sometimes I do better when I’m on the right, others when I’m on the left. The gaffer will decide where he’d like me to play but being honest, my preferred position is close to the penalty box.”
On playing in the Premier League
“I’m really keen and can’t wait to play in the Premier League as it’s like a dream for me, because I‘ve been able to play in the Portuguese league, the Spanish league and the French league. But the Premier League is a top-quality competition and it’s right up there with the best leagues in the world.
“It’s going to be a wonderful experience being here and I’m really up for it and very keen to do well here and help the team in such an important and entertaining league as this one.”
On an exciting time personally
“It’s a beautiful time for sure. My partner is very brave to come here at seven months [pregnant]. It’s not long now until the babies are due. We’re hoping to settle in here as soon as we can and looking to sort everything we need to make us feel comfortable and at ease here, and hopefully in two or three months, we’ll have had our first babies. Two babies!
“She’s always the first one to back me up, and she gives her support to me in everything. It’s vital to have a person like that by your side, someone who is always very upbeat and positive and very supportive. That then makes you feel very secure and relaxed, and in a good place to focus on our work of improving as players.
“If someone doesn’t fully support you or has a negative attitude, or is angry or whatever, it doesn’t help you at all to be calm out there on the pitch. So, I’m really lucky to be with a person like this who gives me the perfect environment for me to be able to do my job, which is to play football in the most positive and upbeat way I can.”
Getting ready to help the cause.
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 18, 2023
🤩 @Pablosarabia92 pic.twitter.com/uSyUWI7zJU
On watching the Liverpool game
“I really liked it. Towards the end we had chances to possibly equalise. The fans, especially whenever we got close to goal or there was a cross or a corner kick, everybody was cheering, shouting and driving us on.
“That’s really exciting for a player, when you’re in the stadium, and even more so when you’re on the pitch, you can really feel it and it’s definitely a massive help. I loved it and I can’t wait to play out there in our stadium, so I can show just how happy I’m going to be here.”
On his aims at Molineux
“I hope and wish that we can achieve our number one objective for the season which is to win games so we can move out of that danger area where we currently find ourselves. That’s my main aim really, I don’t like to set myself targets because I’m going to give everything I have, and all my effort and ability, into helping the team. I’m going to try and give my all so we can pick up victories, which is the most important thing.”
On his message for the fans
“I’m grateful for the many messages I’ve received and for the great welcome, it’s been really lovely. I just want to tell them that I’m very grateful to be here, I’m happy and I’m really up for the challenge and very excited at the prospect of celebrating goals and victories and going on to celebrate achieving all our objectives. I’m very happy, I can’t wait to get going and here’s hoping we can achieve great things together.”
