Though a vital component of much of Sevilla's recent success, the Spaniard's homsesickness may well hinder his future prospects
Midfielder Jesus Navas joined the Sevilla youth team aged just 14, and within two years had advanced to the B team, where he played six times during the 2002-03 season. An exceptional talent for his age, Navas was promoted to the first team the following season, making his first team debut just two days after his eighteenth birthday in a 1-0 defeat at Espanyol.
Despite starting the 2004-05 season back in the B team, Navas was quickly redeployed to the first team squad on a permanent basis, making 30 appearances and impressing with his close control and speed. The following season saw Navas play a focal part in a year of unprecedented success for Sevilla under manager Juande Ramos.
Navas is remembered for his severe bouts of homesickness, which have affected his trips to training camps and games abroad. Prior to the club’s 2007 pre-season tour to the United States, Navas’s agent informed the media that his client would not travel, citing personal problems with anxiety and stress. Eventually, Navas agreed to go in a bid to confront his problems, though any serious recurrence may affect his prospects at a club with European aspirations like Sevilla. Despite such problems, Navas’s trickery and invention are highly valued.