Pepe Mel admits that Real Betis need to sign one more striker this summer and that ‘it would be nice’ for others in the team to also provide some goals.
Los Beticos have so far kept hold of Ruben Castro and brought in Chuli from Recreativo, but have also lost Alejandro Pozuelo and Dorlan Pabon from the ranks.
“We have to bring in a forward. Chuli has arrived for Pozuelo. We need a striker to arrive for Pabon, a player who can give us performance,” reflected Mel to reporters today.
“It is dangerous for the group to rely for goals from just two players. If we can get eight or nine goals from midfielder and five or six from elsewhere, that would be nice.
“Have I asked for anyone? Just Bojan [who went to Ajax]. Anyone that the technical staff go for will be important. They bet on Pabon and were right 100 per cent. They asked for advice and I said it would be best to go for Bojan.
“I spoke to him several times but ultimately you cannot compete with teams like Ajax. The boy had the details, he was grateful for our interest.
“I have to wish him good luck because he deserves it. He is at Ajax, he has not gone to just any team. He will be playing in the Champions League. He is human, I wish him luck.”
Mel turned his attention to those that the team have brought in so far.
“Juanfran will give us speed and clarity from the right, he is good with the ball and works hard, Lolo Reyes will have to work hard to adapt, but he is a player who will give us options, Chuli emphasises our verticality in the two wings, he is closer to goal, he is tough.
“Anderson I have not yet assessed, whilst talking about Verdu, with his background is stupid…
“He comes to a good team with great ambition. All of our players ahead of him and with speed will look to take advantage of his passing.”