Interviews

'Big players have gone, but idea the same'

Pervis Estupinan has been impressed by response to summer departures and wants Albion to enjoy this 'beautiful season.'

By Charlie Hanson • 25 August 2023

By Paul Hazlewood
Pervis Estupinan converted from Kaoru Mitoma's pull back, having 'assisted' the Japan international earlier on in the game.

Pervis Estupinan admits that Albion have lost some important players during the transfer window, but he insists head coach Roberto De Zerbi and his teammates are committed to their attacking brand of football.

Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez have left after they made a combined 85 top-tier appearances last season.

De Zerbi’s team have shrugged off concerns about how they’d cope with those high profile departures with back-to-back 4-1 wins in the Premier League to put them top of the table for the first time in the club’s history, ahead of West Ham's visit on Saturday.

“We know we have lost big players but the idea is the same,” Pervis said. “We all continue the same way.

“We try to do things well even without these players and try to get used to it as soon as we can to be able to fight in the league.

By Paul Hazlewood
Pervis Estupinan alongside now departed teammates Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister.

“I think the start of the season has been very good but we will keep going with the same humility, the same calm, knowing that we have only just started.”

Pervis scored his second goal of his Albion career on Saturday, slotting home for Kaoru Mitoma’s pull back to put us 2-1 up at Wolves.

“I’m very happy with my goal - I will try to keep scoring. That is my personal target, what I have planned, along with giving more assists. With the help of all the team I can do that if I work hard.

“I always try to do what the coach asks me the best I can. I think these movements have worked well for me and the team to create spaces in different areas and that is what is helping us do well.

By Paul Hazlewood
Pervis was so lost in the moment of scoring, he ran in the opposite direction to the Albion fans and our photographer at Molineux.

“While knowing that my position is left-back and I am a defender, my characteristic has always been to get forward.

“I enjoy linking up with the players in attack and I think this is very good way for me to bring something to the team.”

The draw for the Europa League takes place a week on Friday – a competition Pervis won with previous club Villareal.

“This will be a beautiful season and we have to be ready for it. We have a lot of matches coming up, We have to try to play each one in the best way," he added. 

“We need to learn how to turn the page quickly after a match, whether we have won or things have not turned out so well. Most of all, we need to enjoy it.

“Europe is a great experience. I have lived through it before in my previous club and it will be a good way to keep growing as a club.”