Real Oviedo defender Christian Fernández today appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón.
How is the return to work going?
- Just like any preseason, it's a time for adaptation, and to try to build a foundation and pick up the Coach's tactical ideas, in order to start the season in the best way possible.
Are you happy to have renewed your contract?
- Yes, I always said that my priority was to stay here. That's what is happening, and I hope I can stay until the end of my career.
How did you feel during these days when the team was training but you were still waiting to seal your contract extension?
- I didn't feel worried, because I had the club's word that we would find an agreement. Negotiations are a process, and more so with the circumstances we are all going through.
Was it very difficult to find the agreement for your renewal?
- Both parties have given some ground in drawing up the contract. The club has made an effort and so have I. We are satisfied with the agreement.
With this deal, it looks like you could hang up your boots at Real Oviedo? How do you approach your fifth season at the club?
- With the same hunger, or perhaps with a little more. I have more hunger than ever and I hope you can see it out on the pitch, which is where it has to be important for the team.
A very different season is coming, which will again begin without fans. How do you see the new football coming up?
- The same as the last few matches of last season. Maybe it will change a bit at the end of the season. Nothing is going to catch us by surprise, it's the new normality.
In an interview, Arnau said that Saúl (Berjón's) contract talks have not advanced. Would it be important for him to stay?
- Without any doubt. Saúl is a man of this club, and important to us. The captain staying is important. Whenever he's been needed he's been here. I hope that they can reach an understanding, because it would be beneficial for everyone.
Is Ziganda and the majority of the squad staying a positive heading into a new season?
- We've got the work from last year done. We had three coaches, which is often a sign of a disaster, but in the end we managed to stay up. I think that the work done by the Coach and the squad's commitment were key to coming through the situation we were in. We go into this season with all the work from these months already done. It is helpful for the start of LaLiga and for the new players.
What do you think could be the key factors to the team producing a good season?
- Maintaining the mentality of playing each match as if our lives depended on it, just as we did in those final LaLiga matches. That's the key and what we have to keep doing until Matchday 42, because it will allow us to have a calm season.