“90% of things were invented” – Unai Simon hits out at media coverage of teammate Nico Williams | OneFootball

Earlier this month, Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte criticised the Spanish Football Federation for not protecting Nico Williams from regular questions on his future – specifically, regarding the strong interest being shown in him from Barcelona. The speculation has irritated those at San Mames, and this includes one of Williams club and international teammates: Unai Simon.

Simon spoke to the media in Bilbao on Thursday morning (via MD), and he hit out at the majority of coverage that Williams’ situation has been receiving.

“It has been a very complicated month and a half for him, to be all day reading news about him that he himself did not know, invented things – because 90% of things were invented. The pressure to which a 22-year-old boy has been subjected is not easy, and the only fault he has is to have been one of the best wingers in Europe and the best winger, with Lamine Yamal, of the European Championship.

“Nico has earned the respect of the Athletic dressing room and the Spanish national team. No one is going to say anything to him about the decision he makes, it is impossible, we will be happy with the decision he makes. The only advice I can give him is that after everything he has experienced, the year he has had that has been honours, is that he enjoys the holidays with his people and then comes here with his batteries charged.”

One word or another, the situation with Williams is expected to reach its conclusion in the very near future. Those associated with Athletic Club will be hoping that he does not opt for a move to Barcelona.