Former Sevilla defender Julien Escude is back at the club this season as part of the front office.

The Frenchman was appointed the club's loan manager this year.

He explained, "It is something that I have rarely seen in my career, in the different clubs in which I have evolved. I was lucky to never have been loaned, even if it is not negative, it should not be seen in this sense.

"Loan manager, it allows to create the link with the players who are still under contract with the club. Obviously, not everyone can play so being loaned is an option. Now, there are economic issues. Clubs pay for transfers and salaries so when they are loaned, they are still assets of the club.

"It's important to keep an eye on them.

"On the other hand, there is the human side. These players do not train anymore with the first team. They need to feel that they are still important to the club, that they still count, and that they know they still have a role to play."