For two years, between 2012-14, following his £2.2m transfer from Genoa, Chico was a regular at Swansea.
During that time, he made 75 appearances for the then Premier League club, scoring four goals and also picking up an assist, and was also key in the run up to the Swans lifting the EFL Cup that year, even if he missed the final against Bradford with an ankle injury.
Now at CF Fuenlabrada in Spain’s second tier, the 33-year-old is enjoying life back in his home country, even if he is currently on lockdown like everyone else.
Sitting down for an interview with Marca from his home, Chico was asked to look back on his Swansea years, which he remembers very fondly.
On the fact there was a strong Spanish contingent in that team: “We created a great family and a great team. We all went as one. Historic things happened that none of us where expecting. We beat Arsenal, at Anfield, Chelsea, Tottenham. They were really good years”.
One of the stars of that squad was undeniably Michu, who has since retired from the game despite only being 34 years of age, as the attacking midfielder became a cult hero during the 2012-13 campaign as he scored 18 goals in 35 Premier League appearances.
He also scored three on the way to the EFL Cup success, including picking up a goal and an assist in the final.
On that trophy win, Chico said: “We won the League Cup which was something unimaginable. We were a humble team that had come from League Two. To win the club’s only great title, go to the Europa League in the centenary year…
“I scored at Anfield, but then I ruptured the ligaments in my ankle and tried everything possible to make the final. I went to Barcelona for treatment, trained 3-4 times a day, I went at 6am to the beach with freezing water that was good for my treatment, but it was impossible. Still, we won 5-0”.
