Oblak: I'm not at my highest level yet LaLiga Spoke to MARCA

There's little doubting that Jan Oblak is one of the world's best goalkeepers and Atletico Madrid have him tied down at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, but he's happy in the capital.

The Slovenian arrived in 2014 and has grown year after year under Diego Simeone, now being named among the club's captains.

MARCA sat with the 26-year-old.

It's been a few days since the derby. Do you think what happened was normal? Did you expect it?

Nobody expected a result like that, but it came from the intensity we took into the game. We scored a lot of goals and had a lot of chances, but the most important thing is that we played well. It's a friendly, so you can't talk much about it. Other teams will compete more in LaLiga Santander and the Champions League.

The Euphoria among fans has skyrocketed. Can it be detrimental that such a high level is expected of you?

We have to be calm. There's a long time left until the start of the season and that's when it'll be important to be like this with that intensity and unity. It's still far. The season is long, but that's a game that we won. The result changes nothing.

Diego Costa was at his best and key. How much does this team need him fit?

He brings a lot and nobody can contribute like him. I'm sure it'll be a great year but he was important last year too even though he didn't score many goals.

You've come up against the best strikers. Do you think Joao Felix will become one of them?

It's clear that he's very talented, but he's young and you have to be patient. We have to help him grow. With Diego Simeone and this club, he can improve a lot and with our help he can become a great player.

What did you think when you heard Atletico were playing that much for a 19-year-old?

?It was a club decision and if they did it it's because they saw something in him. We're all here to help him grow and while it won't be easy in a new team, we can have a great season.

You say it's a new team and eight signings have arrived but they already seem more integrated than ever. How?

It's clear that it's hard for Atletico to get going so quickly but this year it's easier to join because so many of the older players left. We have to be together. So far everything is going well, and hopefully the new ones will be incorporated even more. They have to keep working and listening to the coach.

Is it easy to work under El Cholo? Is he a good leader of this team?

?Of course. He's taken his time and helped the club grow a lot. He's won a lot of titles and we always compete in the Champions League. He's our leader, he's happy to be here and he's doing a great job.

In addition to the signings there have been a lot of exits. Some big and important players have moved on, how did you view the departures?

It's not easy to see important players leave but it's life. Some leave, others arrive. But when you talk to people at the club, you become calmer knowing the direction things are going. At the moment I'm very happy with how things are going. It's not easy to change so many important players, but with the help of those arriving I'm sure we can build a strong, competitive team. I'm convinced it'll work out well.

After months of negotiations, you eventually renewed. Did you consider leaving because you felt undervalued?

Yeah, there were doubts. It was strange, but it's the life of a footballer. I was calm and everything was very, very long. But when you sit down and look into each other's eyes and say what you think you can find an agreement. The new contract ends the stories every day and gives me peace of mind.

Who was the most important person for the renewal: Gil Martin, El Cholo or your agent?

All were important. If they didn't agree.... My agent talked to the club, I occasionally spoke with the coach, but more about football than the contract. We all made an effort, and we're all happy.

Why did the release clause only go from 100 million euros to 120 million euros? Was it yours or Atletico's decision?

?Clauses are just numbers in contracts. If a player wants to stay they stay. You play where you want. It's a number that changed nothing, regardless of if it's one million or 200 million. The important thing is that both parties are happy and follow the same path.

What do you think when you hear that people say you're the best in the world?

?It's a big compliment and you work for a lifetime to become that. It's good. Everyone has their favourite player, but the more people who say it, the better you feel. Every day you have to improve and I'm not at the highest level yet.

You've won five consecutive MARCA Zamora awards. Nobody has won five in a row. Do you like the challenge?

?I've never thought about these trophies. I think about the collective and the trophies aren't just mine. Eleven players play and they all help me. It's nice to win and I love to receive them, but the goal is collective titles.

Speaking of titles, you weren't in Lisbon [for the Champions League final] but you were in Milan. Has it become an obsession?

Well, yes but it depends on how you describe an obsession. It's a dream and I'm sure we'll get it. Atleti have has two chances but missed out through bad luck. It's not an obsession, but the dream of all athletes. I hope we do it.

Do you think it's possible to do it this season?

Every year we play in it it's possible. But you have to do a lot to get there. You have to play good football and everything must go your way. I'm not thinking about if it's possible or not. First we have to think about pre-season and prepare well.