ottenham’s Bryan Gil believes he has returned to Sevilla a better player, despite his lack of minutes in English football.
Gil last night rejoined his former club on a straight loan for the rest of the season – without an option or obligation to buy – after another frustrating six months with Spurs.
The 21-year-old, who joined Spurs from the LaLiga club in a deal worth £21million plus Erik Lamela 18 months ago, finally earned a Premier League start under Antonio Conte in the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace earlier this month but was forced further down the pecking order by the arrival of Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal.
Conte has previously said the winger does not yet have the physique for English football but compared him in quality to Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.
“In the Premier League the physical level is noticeable, the referees allow more, but the less physical players can also stand out if you adapt well,” Gil said at a press conference to announce his return to Seville.
“This season is when I have gone the most to the gym to improve that physique, because my constitution is not the same as [Sevilla midfielder] Pape Gueye’s, for example.
“I think I have improved. Before, I used to catch the ball and have fun dribbling. I started the year playing and I feel good physically.”
He added: “My first reaction [to the move] was one of maximum joy, I wanted to come and in the end it was done. My agent called me yesterday to travel this morning and it is a maximum joy, as I say.
“My brother must have cried, I carry it inside. I didn’t want the chance to go and I didn’t tell anyone, in case you prepare it and it doesn’t turn out so well.”
