García Plaza hails Sevilla's deadline-day business: “Fofana is the cherry on top”

Luis García Plaza has made his verdict on the final stretch of the transfer window clear: Sevilla FC have taken a major step forward. The Madrid-born coach spoke highly of the club's work during a frantic few days that ended with three new signings, including Youssouf Fofana, a last-minute arrival who raises the level of the midfield and whom the coach already calls 'Fofa'.

• García Plaza describes the end of the window as "incredible" and thanks the sporting department and the president for their work.
• Fofana, Correia and Stassin will all be in the squad for the match against Espanyol.
• The coach wanted a completely new look for the squad and believes the recent signings have delivered it.
• Rubén Vargas has not travelled due to injury after coming close to joining Olympiacos.

The deadline-day business fuelling optimism at Sevilla

The manager made no effort to hide his satisfaction with the way the window ended. After weeks of uncertainty and an inconsistent start to the campaign, Sevilla moved late to strengthen two key areas: midfield and attack. The headline operation was the signing of Youssouf Fofana, finalised right at the deadline to add power, box-to-box presence and international experience to the middle of the park.

Alongside him, Portuguese winger Félix Correia and Belgian striker Lucas Stassin arrived in Nervión as two attacking profiles that give the coaching staff more options for the second half of the season. All three deals involved last-minute negotiations that kept the club on edge until the final moments.

Fofana, Correia and Stassin named in the squad for Espanyol

Asked about the immediate availability of the new arrivals, García Plaza confirmed that all three will be included in the squad for the match at the RCDE Stadium. He added that each player arrives in a different physical and competitive state: Correia had been playing regularly for his previous club, Stassin had featured less often, and Fofana had been training apart from the group.

The coach pointed out that the players currently starting are performing well, which means one of the new signings may well get minutes as the game unfolds. The final call will depend on how they compete and what the match requires.

The squad overhaul García Plaza demanded in Seville

García Plaza explained that he told the club the squad needed a complete change of direction, not only in terms of names but also in terms of energy. The aim was for the fans and the dressing room to see new horizons after a period of inconsistent results and a growing sense of stagnation.

I am very satisfied to have changed the face of the team, to let people see new faces, new horizons... and from there, get to work. Now it is about fighting, working, competing and trying to finish as high as possible.

That squad refresh, combined with the late arrival of Fofana, gives the manager greater room to manoeuvre in a season where Sevilla are looking for stability and a safe distance from the lower reaches of LaLiga.

Rubén Vargas, the unresolved case in Nervión

The transfer window also left one matter not fully closed: Rubén Vargas. The Swiss attacker came very close to joining Olympiacos, a move that ultimately did not go through and affected his recent involvement. He was left out of the squad for the previous two rounds and is now also unable to travel to Barcelona because of an injury.

Despite that setback, García Plaza sent a message of belief in the player. He understands the stress of being caught between staying and leaving, and trusts that once Vargas recovers physically and mentally he will once again be an important asset for the team.

The coach noted that Vargas was an important player last season, featuring heavily and offering useful qualities to the side. The immediate priority is for him to be available again and to regain the match sharpness that made him a valuable option for the Andalusian club.

A demanding trip to the RCDE Stadium to test the new momentum

Sevilla's next test comes in Cornellà-El Prat, a difficult venue against an Espanyol side in need of points. García Plaza hopes the end of the transfer window translates into a fresh injection of energy for the group, and he will have the three new signings at least in the matchday squad to help make that happen.

The coach summed it up with one clear message: the focus is now on Espanyol, on the next match, and on trying to take all three points. The squad has been strengthened, the new faces are in the dressing room, and the message is about competing every weekend to finish the season as high as possible.