Castillejo highlights Gattuso’s role in move and insists: “Valencia was my first option”

By Oliver Fisher -

Samu Castillejo has revealed that he has wanted to join Valencia for months and also explained how important Gennaro Gattuso was in making the move materialise.

Castillejo’s farewell to Milan was made official yesterday. The Spanish winger, who joined the Rossoneri in the summer of 2018, moved back to LaLiga where he will reunite with Gennaro Gattuso, his former Milan coach.

As mentioned, he leaves after four years of service and while the last couple of seasons did not bring much joy in terms of playing time, he still made some memorable contributions such as his impact off the bench in the 3-2 comeback win at home against Hellas Verona at San Siro in the Scudetto season.

Castillejo was presented at a press conference today and was asked about a number of different topics from Valencia’s interest to Gattuso’s part in bringing him back to Spain, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

“Any player, Spanish or not, would like to play for Valencia. There was an interest already in December, but the deal was not done because there was no agreement with Milan. Valencia was my first option even then, just like now. I told my agent, I wanted to play here. I made a lot of efforts to be here and I’m happy,” he said.

What did Gattuso tell you about this team?

“I have known the coach for three years, I had him at Milan. In the first calls he told me that he was happy, that the club and the people who work here do it well, we work like in a big club. We all want to bring Valencia where deserves to stay.”

Gattuso said he wants a player who may not have done well to relaunch them. Do you think you can get the best Samu back here?

“Anyone who knows me knows that I have always believed in myself. This last year there have been other things, outside the sporting sphere, and in the end the club (Milan) that makes the decisions. I have always worked, when I was called into question I always made myself ready.”

How has Italian football changed you?

“All the players acquire maturity over the years. Now on the pitch I am different from when I joined Milan from Villarreal, but the desire and the ambition are the same.”

How long have Valencia been following you?

“We have always been in contact with this club, in almost every transfer session. I wanted to come and my agent knew it.”

What kind of coach is Gattuso?

“Have you seen him as a player? As a coach he is the same. He knows how to deal very well with players, we really like his peculiarity.”

What goal for you and Gattuso?

“Europe. Knowing the coach, the same applies to him too. He has a winning mentality and would never go to a club that doesn’t have the ambition to go to Europe.”

Tags AC Milan Samu Castillejo

2 Comments

  1. Thank you, Samu Castillejo, for your contribution, esp. winning of the scudetto!

    You are one of my favorite Milan players, who work hard and stay loyal to the team.

    Best luck for you in Valencia!

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