Future Stars Spotlight: Real Madrid's Sergio Reguilon thriving on loan for Sevilla
MEN'S
SBI Soccer
3 Yrs Ago
Sevilla fans have had every reason to fall in love with Sergio Reguilon, but they also know that the dynamic left back isn’t likely to stick around Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium much longer.
On loan from Real Madrid, Reguilon has enjoyed a breakout season with Sevilla, helping Julen Lopetegui’s squad put together an impressive season so far. Sevilla sits in third place as La Liga prepares to return from a near three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Reguilon’s play at left back has been a key factor in Sevilla’s strong run.
The 23-year-old arrived at Sevilla last summer after breaking through with Real Madrid’s first team las season, having earned minutes playing time in place of Brazilian legend Marcelo, who endured an injury-played 2018-2019 season.
Reguilon played well, but not well enough to keep Real Madrid from buying French left back Ferland Mendy from Lyon, which then led to Real Madrid sending Reguilon on loan.
"I have a very clear conscience because I gave everything for Real Madrid," Reguilon told AS. "Others made that decision [to send me on loan] and I can't do anything but do my job to the very best. It's what I did in Madrid and I try to do it now at Sevilla.
"I left Madrid on good terms, I wasn't mad at anyone,” Reguilon said. “Everything was a mutual agreement. I am an academy player and I owe everything to Madrid. It's impossible for me to leave in a bad way."
With Marcelo and Mendy at left back, Real Madrid sent Reguilon to Sevilla in search of regular playing time, and he grabbed hold of a starting job under Lopetegui, who brought him up to the first team at Real Madrid during his brief stint as manager in 2018.
The reunion with Lopetegui has helped Reguilon blossom, and he has been one of the best fullbacks in La Liga this season.
"He gave me confidence last season, but especially this season, he's giving me the confidence to demonstrate what I can do,” Reguilon told Mundo Deportivo about Lopetegui. “I know that he has a very special affection for me because I'm very young. I notice it in the way he treats me. I know that he expects a lot of me and I try to give my all in each match. I have to give a special mention to him because he's a coach that has defined my career.”
Reguilon’s attacking quality has been on full display for Sevilla, with his excellent passing combining with his ability to surge forward in possession. Though he is still working on some aspects of his game in his first full season as a starter — such as his crossing and defensive positioning, he has already shown so much improvement that clubs around Europe have begun to take notice, which should lead to a line of teams eager to pry him away from Real Madrid.
Of course, he could very well be part of Real Madrid’s youth movement next season. Marcelo is 32 and this could be the final season of his storied career at the Bernabeu. If the Brazilian fullback does leave, then Reguilon would serve as a ready-made replacement capable of pushing Mendy for the starting role.
Reguilon could also be sold to help Real Madrid balance its books ahead of what is expected to be a busy transfer window. There is no shortage of teams that could use a quality left back, including Paris Saint Germain, which has been linked to the Spanish fullback.
Sevilla does not have a purchase option on its loan for Reguilon, but if Sevilla succeeds in securing a Champions League berth it could make an attempt to buy Reguilon, though the price tag Real Madrid is likely to set could make him too pricey for Lopetegui to hold on to.
Whether he stays at Sevilla, returns to Real Madrid, or joins another top-level club next season, Reguilon has the look off an elite left back who will be worth watching closely when La Liga returns to action.