Santi Cazorla Decides Future Beyond 30 June for Real Oviedo
Santi Cazorla’s future beyond 30 June is in his own hands at Real Oviedo, and Guillermo Almada said the club will accept whatever he chooses. The coach made that clear after Sunday’s match against Getafe, with Cazorla’s role and next step now the biggest open item around the captain.
Almada Leaves It to Cazorla
“Es una decisión de Santi,” Almada said after the match. He also said Real Oviedo are open to any decision Cazorla makes, a position that leaves the captain in control of whether he stays or moves on after 30 June.
Almada’s tone was unmistakably supportive. “Sí, obviamente que sí. Es un ejemplo, es el primero en llegar, entrena espectacular, tiene buena disposición, siempre suma. Indudablemente, como yo lo he dicho una cantidad de veces, es un crack no solo por lo que juega, sino por lo que adorna la palabra y lo que brinda como persona diariamente,” he said about wanting him to continue.
Cazorla’s Limited Starts
The numbers explain why the decision has weight inside the squad. Cazorla has made 25 league appearances this season, but only four of them have been starts, and he has played 736 league minutes.
Almada said he prefers to use him from the bench so Cazorla can exploit an opponent’s fatigue. “Ha jugado todos los partidos, prácticamente todos. Determinamos si es más importante que él esté con el cansancio del rival o ponerlo de entrada y que se te agote a los 55 o 60 minutos. Para nosotros es más determinante que él entre con el desgaste del rival y que pueda marcar esa diferencia, que él nos ha dado muy buenos minutos prácticamente todos los partidos. No solo hoy, porque ha jugado muy bien,” he said.
Real Oviedo’s Open Door
That usage pattern has not reduced his influence. Almada said Cazorla has given Real Oviedo very good minutes in almost every match, and added: “Yo lo he visto muy bien cuando ha participado. La realidad es que siempre nos ha dado soluciones, nos ha dado aporte. Vuelvo a insistir, son decisiones que nosotros tomamos pensando que es lo mejor para el equipo y que le sacamos más provecho a su rendimiento.”
Sunday also brought a scene that fit the uncertainty around his future. Cazorla appeared before the Real Oviedo fans again, and the moment carried a farewell feeling. With 30 June approaching, the captain’s next move now rests with him, and the club has already said it will live with that answer.
