David Rodríguez before the derby against Las Palmas (DEPORPRESS)
Alejandro Rodríguez (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) | David Rodríguez: “I’m going to try everything to stay in Tenerife.” The blue and white winger was the protagonist last week because, in addition to renewing until 2026, he had minutes in the derby against UD Las Palmas. In his conversation with Deporpressthe Tenerife youth player highlights that his dream is to stay in the representative team and is grateful for the trust of Luis Miguel Ramis.
Alejandro Rodríguez: First I have to ask you about the derby, in which you had the opportunity to jump onto the grass. What feelings do you have at both a group and individual level?
David Rodriguez: “Very good feelings. In the end I had the opportunity to play 20 minutes and it is a double joy. First, having won with that result and with the party that was formed was incredible, and on top of that, having played and helped the team was an immense joy.”
AR: Did you expect to have minutes against Las Palmas?
DR: “In the end you have to be prepared for when the coach needs you, and I am. “I want to help the team as much as possible and, when the coach sees fit, contribute my grain of sand.”
AR: Tenerife beat Las Palmas 4-1. Did you see this result possible?
DR: “It’s a derby, and there you see close results. Winning 4-1 and in the first minutes going 2-0 you don’t expect it, but it motivates you more, you come out more energized and win all the duels. That result was unthinkable, but it gave us more joy.”
AR: What did you think while waiting to go out with the fourth official?
DR: “It’s true that you have those nerves, because in the end it’s a derby, although you also have them in any other game. Even so, you try to go out, contribute everything you can and help the team by giving your best.”
AR: Being the third right back in the squad, are you aware of your situation?
DR: “I knew about my situation, in which I have two players like Jeremy Mellot and Aitor Buñuel ahead of me. In the end, I have to compete against them. In the derby I came out in a position that I don’t usually play in, but you have to do your best. I came out on the wing and, in the end, the coach put me in a line of five to hold out for the result and help León, who was injured.”
AR: What words do you have for Mellot and Buñuel?
DR: “For me they are an example. I pay a lot of attention to them, more so to Mellot, who is the one who is playing the most and who I have been with the most. I learn from them, they are an example to follow and I hope I am lucky to be like them.”
«I only have good words towards Ramis»
AR: What is your goal now on a personal level?
DR: “My goal is to try to make a place for myself in the first team, whether in the short or long term. I’m going to try everything to stay in Tenerifewhich is the club of my life.”
AR: Luis Miguel Ramis always has good words for you when asked at a press conference. What do you think of his coach’s affection?
DR: “I thank him very much for having good words towards me, and I only have good words towards him. He is the coach who made me debut in the Second Division, I owe him a lot and I am going to try to give my best when he sees fit. My mission is to jump onto the field and perform at my best.”
Your renewal
AR: You recently renewed until 2026, are you happy about that?
DR: “It is an immense joy for me and my family. Renewing three more years at this club is impressive, a brutal joy. After twelve years, having my work reflected and giving me the opportunity to continue for three more years is a joy.”
AR: So, you didn’t have to be convinced a lot to accept Tenerife’s proposal?
DR: “No, they didn’t have to convince me almost anything. It is a joy, although now is when I have to work the most and show that I am worthy of being in the first team.”
AR: During the month of January it was rumored that he could go out on loan in search of minutes, something that even Luis Miguel Ramis confirmed. How did you experience that situation?
DR: “It is true that there was the possibility of going out in winter to get minutes, since I was not having them here. They told me the proposal of being in the dynamics of the first team and helping the reserve team and I didn’t think twice. I owe everything to this club and I will fight to play both in the B team and in the first team when I am given the opportunity. “I am happy to continue here and contribute as much as I can.”
AR: In that refusal to go out on loan, did your thought of being at Tenerife or the lack of proposals that convinced you from other clubs weigh more?
DR: “It wasn’t that they insisted on leaving, they just told me that I could leave or stay here. In the end we negotiated and reached an agreement to be here and help the subsidiary, and I didn’t think about it.”
“I don’t see playing with the reserve team as a step back, but as an opportunity to get minutes and help the team”
AR: After having minutes in the derby, I imagine you will be even more motivated?
DR: “It gives me joy to see the work reflected and to be able to play 20 minutes, even if it is, but in a derby. Now I am more than motivated to be able to help the team and this Saturday, if I have the opportunity to enter, then I will try to do my best. If not, I have to help the team when the coach sees fit.”
AR: If you have to play with the reserve team, do you have the same mentality as if you played with the first team?
DR: “Yes, I have the same mentality. I don’t see playing with the reserve team as a step back, but rather as an opportunity to gain minutes, sensations, help the team and be able to fight for that promotion that we want to Second RFEF.”
Tenerife’s objectives for the remainder of the campaign
AR: What do you think of Tenerife’s season so far? Both the first team and the reserve team.
DR: “Last year, both teams were fighting to get promoted, although it couldn’t happen due to the last game, which we both lost. In the end you have that little thorn left to try it the following year. This year the results have not been with us, but we have tried and we have given our best, although it is true that we are still there and we can fight for it. We are going to go all out in these ten games with the first team. The same with the reserve team in the six remaining games, since we are in the playoff and we can still finish first.”
AR: Do you see the first team with options to play in the promotion playoff?
DR: “I think there are options, but we have to go game by game. We have to get the three points at Alavés and then return home to get the three points against Villarreal B. The playoff is there and I don’t see it as an impossible thing.”
AR: Have you already thought about your situation for next season or not yet?
DR: “I haven’t thought about it yet. I’m going to try to stay in the first team and, if not, then look for a solution. “I’m going to try to get minutes and, if I can stay in the first team, even better, which is my dream and my short-term objective.”
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