Felipe: "It's a compliment but I don't see myself as the new Godín"
The Atlético centre-back spoke to O Jogo about his old nickname. "Now I'm at Atlético and our rivals can give me a new nickname if they want".
Atlético Madrid centre-back Felipe spoke to Portuguese sports daily O Jogo about how he has been getting on since joining the Rojiblancos from Porto for a record fee for a defender. The 30-year-old also commented on being described as 'The new Godín' and his style of play which earned him the nickname Vale-Tudo ('Anything goes') in Portugal.
Being the boss in the back four: "No. I feel comfortable because I've played a few games now at a good level and that's not easy to do that when you have only just arrived at the club. I don't feel like I'm the sheriff but I do feel very important"
Being the most expensive defender in Altético club history: "To be honest, when I arrived at the club I didn't even know that. It's not something I think about and even if I had known at the time, it wouldn't have mattered. I'd been doing well at Porto and I've had to go through different phases during my career. I knew it was going to be difficult, that's normal. Atlético have great defenders. I made the most of the opportunity I was given and now that pressure doesn't exist".
Felipe on being compared to his predecessor Diego Godín
'The new Godín': "It's very nice. Godín had an incredible career at Atlético. It's a compliment but I don't see myself as the new Godín. I'm Felipe, I'm different and I have to write my own history and not try to link myself to someone who achieve some incredible things here"
In Portugal, you were called Felipe Vale-Tudo (Anything goes Felipe): "I don't think they've forgotten that. But as I said before - it would be much worse if my own fans called me that. Since it came from our rivals, it only motivated me even more. It's over now though. I did well at Porto, but now I am at Atlético and if our rivals want to give me a nickname, they're free to do so. They can call me what they want, as long as I am doing a good job here".
LaLiga referees are more understanding than in Portual: "They talk a lot and are generally more approachable than in Portugal. It's not that I am an aggreSsive player but in Portugal, you can relax a little in certain moves - there's not as much need to stop the game by handing out yellow and red cards. They let play continue. Here the refs are more approachable and games are more pleasant. I like it they let you play more. Sometimes I get a bit carried away, it's only normal, but I really like that style of football".