In an era of player power and stars getting their own way, and often contributing to managers being sacked, there’s still sometimes a huge power imbalance going the other way.
That’s the situation Alejo Véliz finds himself in with Sevilla at the moment. Tottenham Hotspur were looking for a loan destination in the winter market, Sevilla manager Quique Sanchez Flores wanted another option in attack, and sporting director Victor Orta wanted to bring young players in.
Whilst Véliz was moving on a simple loan, there would have been the idea of a longer term relationship if things went brilliantly and, even further down the road, the potential of a future profit.
That’s been Orta’s plan at Sevilla, and Hannibal Mejbri was signed from Manchester United in January with the same scenario in mind, although he came with a buying option.
Whilst Orta will have been pleased with his work to get the Tottenham and Manchester United youngsters, Quique Sanchez Flores was not.
It would appear the manager wanted experienced and readymade solutions as he fought an unlikely relegation battle.
That saw a battle behind the scenes, the manager questioning both players publicly in a way which is odd to say the least, and the clear indication that both loans would likely fail.
ElDesmarque now report Véliz has received his ‘final sentence’ and it’s absolutely certain Sevilla won’t be keeping him beyond the end of the season.
He’s had less than half an hour on the pitch, but the real issue is being ostracised entirely, not even called into the match-day squad for two of the past four games.
Véliz is going to need some help with his confidence when he returns, and should Tottenham send him out on loan again then it may be wise to choose a club which isn’t at civil war and somewhere where the manager doesn’t seem personally offended by the player’s arrival.
