3 July 2007, by Sean Gillen

Ze Castro focuses on Atletico and Portugal ambitions

Defender not reading too much into Chelsea speculation

Atletico Madrid defender Ze Castro says that his team must aim for Champions League qualification next season, despite missing out on a direct place in the Uefa Cup in the last campaign.

After spending most of the season in the top six, Atletico were edged out of the Uefa Cup places by Villarreal and Zaragoza, and will enter the Intertoto Cup later this month in order to try and secure a place in Europe next season.

“We have to return with a lot of desire and ambition, so that we can win our games in the Intertoto and get a place in the Uefa Cup,” Ze Castro told the club’s official website. “I don’t even want to imagine not playing in the Uefa Cup with Atletico next season.”

“I believe that next season we can achieve big targets. I don’t think we have failed this season, since we got 60 points, a very high number, but in the end, we didn’t get into the Uefa Cup. Nobody expected Villarreal to record eight successive victories.”

“Looking at next season, I believe that we have to fight for the Champions League; that should be our aim. But first, we have to be successful in the Intertoto. The team has been together for a year and will be working with the same coach. That will help us and will be reflected on the pitch.”

On an individual level, Ze Castro also spoke of his first season in Spain, while also stating his aims for the future and responding to recent transfer speculation, which linked him with a move to England and Chelsea.

“I always want to play, but I was conscious of my situation. I arrived from a small team and hardly anyone knew me. I had ahead of me Perea and Pablo, two centre-halfs that had played together for two years. They helped me and I integrated very quickly. Competition is always good, it benefits the team.”

“I know what has been written in Portugal about a supposed offer from Chelsea. My agents take care of these issues, but I want to continue with Atletico, although in the world of football you never know what will happen. I am very happy and after a year of learning, I expect that next year will be better.”

“My ambition on a personal level is to try and make the step into the Portuguese national side.”


Related: Man Utd and Chelsea in battle for Ze Castro signature