CEO of business Alfonso Díaz and sporting director Pablo Ortells spoke to the media in a press conference on Wednesday to evaluate the market and provide various updates at the club. Find out what they had to say below:
Pablo Ortells:
On a market assessment: ‘We had a clear premise: to keep most of the players. We had a need in a specific position that we had to strengthen, and two players have come in for that position. We have a competitive squad.’
On a salary cap: "You know how it's worked in recent seasons. We always comply, and in that sense we usually make the biggest investment in the summer and leave a surplus for the winter. We've spent practically everything we have."
On the current squad: ‘What we are clear about is that we have confidence in the squad. We identified a need and people have come in to fill it. We were clear about the line to follow.’
On signing on the last day: "We're coming off the back of some generally complicated transfer windows. Timing does not always depend on us; it is one of the most difficult things to get right. While a transfer window is open, things can happen at any time. Some come before and others after. I would not give it much importance. Obviously, it is better to have the squads finalised as soon as possible, but from there, we have a good team with committed players and we have the foundations to have a good second half of the season."
On a comparison other projects: ‘Everyone is free to do what they want at home. We have players we trust, and our effort is to get those who are not yet at their best back on track so they can bring us joy. One example is Pablo Torre, who scored the other day, and I want to highlight how his teammates celebrated that goal. That unity is what will make us strong and help us move forward.’
On possible departures: ‘There have been official offers for two players, Llabrés and Omar (Mascarell).’
On financial power to sign players: ‘We have our limits and we work within them. We made two big bets, which are Jan Virgili and Pablo Torre. The club has to be sustainable; we can't do anything crazy. Within our limits, we want to make the most of it.’
On signing a defender: ‘I think it's circumstantial that two centre-backs have been injured. We haven't considered signing one. We have full confidence in the four we have.’
On Jagoba Arrasate's opinion: ‘I've been talking to him and he's confident about the situation and the players we have. We have a very good manager, very humble, with ability and experience. We are more than prepared to get out of this situation.’
On Zito Luvumbo: 'We don't have many players like him. He has strength, power and pace. He's going to help us with qualities that he has and that we didn't have. He's very excited to be here. It's about giving the coach resources and letting him decide. We talk to him every day about who's coming and who's not. Just because he arrived on the last day doesn't mean we didn't have reports on him. Afterwards, he may turn out to be better or worse. Muriqi arrived at the end of the transfer window and has done very well. And that's not because we didn't have reports on Muriqi.'
On his job: ‘Grades have to be given at the end of the season. We are exposed to public opinion. I'm calm in that regard and I try to do my job as best I can. I understand that I've made decisions that may have been more or less popular, but I do so with conviction. Sometimes I get it right and sometimes I get it wrong, but I make decisions with Mallorca in mind.’
On strategy and work of the scouting department: ‘It's a continuous job. We have very professional and experienced people. It's about identifying players who are accessible to Mallorca in sporting and financial terms. Then we negotiate the availability of those players. These are things that take time. Signings happen when all parties agree.’
On Omar Mascarell's situation: "He's a great professional, and I hope he can stay with us. We need to discuss his situation in the next few days. For my part, I hope we can reach an agreement, but we need to understand all sides. No agreement was reached with the club that wanted him. With our transfer window closed (but not that of other leagues), it is difficult for a player to leave. You can never guarantee anything, but we are counting on Omar for the rest of the season. I think it is very unlikely that any player will leave."
On timing of player renewals or sales: "We study every proposal for a player that comes in, and every player that the club wants to renew is sent a proposal. Each player is then free to accept or decline. The timing is set by the club. Every player wants the best contract and has their own expectations and priorities. Those same players came to Mallorca because the sporting director took notice of them and offered them good terms at the right time. Some players have been renewed a month before their contract expired. Others before that, others have not renewed... Each case is unique."
On Cyle Larin: ‘He is a player we made a big bet on, and the return has not been what we expected. But he is with Mallorca, and we have to treat him with affection. We have to do everything possible to help Cyle reach his level. Obviously, any decision, negative or positive, has an impact on our limit.’
On the renewal of Antonio Raíllo: ‘He had certain conditions in his previous renewal that have been met, and he was automatically renewed.’
On Jan Salas: ‘All parties have agreed. He has not played the minutes we all wanted him to, and he will continue his development in Mallorca.’
On Takuma Asano's renewal: ‘We will meet at the end of the season to discuss the matter.’
On fans: ‘We have to give to the fans, rather than ask of them. Mallorca's fans are grateful and they show their gratitude on the pitch.’
Alfonso Díaz
On spending between leagues: "It's more of a strategic issue about where LaLiga wants to go. Ten years ago, the model was changed to allow for greater financial control, basically in terms of player spending. It's a sustainable and more conservative model, but it has led to more sustainable clubs with greater professionalisation. If other leagues are operating at a loss and do not follow this model, they are at risk, in addition to the issue of inflation. Little by little, we can think about opening up our model to be more flexible and with more controlled risk. We will surely evolve to be more competitive."
On Dani Rodríguez: ‘We wish him all the best, he has given so much. And hopefully we will meet again along the way.’
On attendance of season ticket holders at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix: ‘It's true that we are having lower attendance than last season. These are circumstances and moments. When the team is not doing so well, there may be a situation where attendance drops a little, but the important thing is that those who come cheer and support the team. And they are doing that. We are working every day to reach last season's average.’
On Vedat Muriqi: ‘He's in great form and helps us on and off the pitch, but it's the group that's going to get us through this. We mustn't personalise it, but he's obviously having an incredible season.’
On social discontent: ‘As Pablo said, certain situations can arise. It's normal for some people to disagree and show their disappointment. As long as it's done respectfully, we accept criticism and face up to it. We don't hide away; we work to ensure the club does well.’
On where the money is invested: "The money is on the pitch. Clubs generate income in different ways and that money, all the income, goes to the pitch. The owners are very clear about this. Every year we use up the squad limit imposed by LaLiga. The biggest investment is made in the summer and a surplus is left in the winter."
On audiences: "LaLiga's official figures are adding the international ones with a delay. We're not last, but there are still some audiences missing. Until the season is over, I can't give you an opinion. We're averaging 100 million in total. There has been growth and we're continuing in that vein. There may be weaker seasons and when the current one is over, we'll analyse it."
On Andy Kohlberg: "We talk to him every day. He's always involved in the day-to-day running of the club. He's been working with us for the last two weeks, in all kinds of meetings. We're still fully committed."
On playing against Paris Saint-Germain: ‘There have been formal written petitions. I have spoken two or three times with their CEO. It is a contract they have to fulfil. It is also true that fitting the schedules together is complicated so that it coincides with our Ciutat de Palma, and we have asked them to find a solution.’