Manchester United loanee Alex Telles had a conversation with Brazilian outlet TNT Sports on Tuesday evening.
The fullback, who’s having a one-year loan spell at Sevilla, saw his side thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City at home in the Champions League, but still had other subjects to talk about, such as the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Telles was first asked by reporter Fred Caldeira if his decision to leave Manchester United was connected to his chances of playing in the tournament for Brazil this year.
“Obviously. If I say no, I’ll be lying”, Telles told TNT Sports.
“I really believe in preparation. We know how much an athlete needs to prepare for a moment like this. I know I’m on the radar, I know I was called for the last call-ups. So obviously having more and more minutes, playing as much as possible.
“So I’m exclusively focused on that preparation. I know it depends a lot on what I do at my club for me to be willing and always at a high level, so if I get called up for the national team, to be prepared.”
“Uma SITUAÇÃO COMPLICADA.” 🗣️ Análise da derrota para o Man. City, atuação em nova posição, Copa do Mundo e o atual momento do Sevilla. As palavras de Alex Telles em papo com @fredcaldeira no pós-jogo. 🇧🇷#CasaDaChampions pic.twitter.com/7ucdOpdLpy
— TNT Sports Brasil (@TNTSportsBR) September 7, 2022
The player was then quizzed if he didn’t feel like he’d have that chance at Manchester United, even with a change of manager in the summer.
“No, I felt it, I felt it anyway. Very high level, as is the Premier League. Here in La Liga is also a very high level, it’s a club that is in the Champions League. So obviously it was a way of thinking also strategically about football, in a characteristic of mine. I believe I have a lot to evolve, a lot to add. And as I told you, it’s preparation. Having minutes, having games and I think that here I have a lot to grow and evolve. And so be prepared that if I get called up to the national team, give my best.”
Signed from Porto in a €15m deal in 2020, Alex Telles made 50 appearances for Manchester United in two seasons. He had a long battle against Luke Shaw for a starting place in the team, but never really conquered the place.
Following the arrival of Tyrell Malacia this summer, it was clear one of the two would need to go, and it was the Brazilian who moved for more minutes in Spain.
