'The Best' nomination
Question: Jhon Arias, Colombian player, one of the standouts for the Colombia national team, consistently important and vital in Néstor Lorenzo’s project, now a new signing for Wolves at the start of the season in England, and recently nominated for The Best awards as one of the top midfielders. How are you coping with the cold this winter in England?
Answer: "I’m doing well, feeling good. Yes, winter is starting here in England, and the weather is a bit more challenging, but honestly, everything’s going well, thanks to God."
Q: Do you think, as a Colombian, that adapting to winter - especially since this is your first experience with this kind of climate - is difficult? I know it’s not at its coldest yet, but how have you found it so far?
A: "I like the cold. I’ve lived in Colombian cities like Bogotá and Tunja, where it’s cold most of the year. It’s not the same, but I do enjoy the cold, honestly. It’s all about adapting, and that process feels natural."
Q: What were you doing when your name appeared on The Best list, and how did you feel?
A: "It was a funny moment. We were having dinner at a friend’s house, a teammate from the club. I was heading home, got in the car, checked my phone, and I got a notification about a post from Fluminense.
"I clicked on it, saw the news, and then all the messages I had. I honestly found out by accident.
"It’s a source of pride for me to be nominated for The Best. That was a dream and a goal: to be among the best players in the world. I think last season was fantastic for me personally, with lots of positives, capped off by the Club World Cup, which was an exceptional experience and broke many of the predictions people had about Fluminense."
Excelling at Fluminense
Q: Do you still keep an eye on Fluminense? You left your mark there and are an idol for the fans.
A: "It’s tough because of the time difference. I can’t watch the matches as they always finish in the early hours here.
"But yes, I check the results, the goals, and how they’re doing in the Brasileirao, which is good. I understand they’ve qualified for the Copa Libertadores."
Q: You made some great friends there - have they kept in touch since you left?
A: "Those were good years, good times at Fluminense, and there’s a lot of affection and respect. Yes, I have great friends and teammates, and sometimes we chat about how I’m doing and how things are going for them over there.
"That bond doesn’t go away. I wish them all the best in the Copa de Brasil semi-final and hope things end well for them."
Q: Recently, there was a rumour that, given Wolves’ current situation, a Brazilian club - though not Fluminense - was interested in you and that a move was possible. I understand that’s not the case, but has anyone mentioned it to you?
A: "I think it’s normal. In football, there are always rumours and speculation, especially after what I achieved in Brazil. It’s natural for me to be linked with different clubs.
"It’s just part of the process. Given the club’s current situation, which isn’t great, and our poor start to the season - and because the seasons are different in Brazil - people are already thinking about the next campaign, so those rumours pop up.
"I think with the transfer window open, speculation about big Brazilian clubs will only increase, but I’m calm. I’m aware of the moment we’re going through at Wolverhampton, and I’m working hard to achieve our goals and turn things around."
Switching to Wolves
Q: You made your debut for Wolves in a pre-season friendly and scored within minutes. What did that moment mean to you?
A: "It was a lovely debut, a friendly against Girona. It was my first match, my first impressions. I’d only been at the club for three days, so it was a special moment.
"I’m working hard and focused on helping things improve, scoring in the Premier League, and helping the team get out of this situation.
"I believe we have the right people, but we can’t ignore that we’ve had a poor start and need to get better."
Q: When you made your Premier League debut, or when you signed your contract, what went through your mind after everything you’ve been through since your days as a boy in Quibdó, now living your dream in what many consider the world’s top league?
A: "It’s the fulfilment of dreams and life goals. Anyone in any profession wants to reach the top, to be in the best places, the best stages, the best seats - that’s natural, and it shows my ambition and character, always striving for more, always wanting the best for my career.
"When I had the chance to come to Wolves - the club that opened the door for me to the Premier League - and I include myself here, I think it’s the best league in the world - it was a project I knew would be challenging and complex, but it was an opportunity to achieve that dream, that personal goal of reaching the best league and playing alongside the world’s best.
"That’s what you aim for when you start playing football: to be among the best. That was my motivation. It’s about personal dreams, my family’s dreams, and the dreams of everyone who’s been with me and helped me along the way. I’m just grateful, really.
"I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to break many barriers and defy the odds. I knew that coming to Wolves, at my age, to a Premier League club, for the fee paid, was outside the norm in today’s football world. So I’m happy with the opportunity I’ve been given."
Q: How have you adapted to the football and the language? I know you were taking English lessons even before signing for Wolves.
"It’s a completely different league, which is actually positive because it helps you grow as a player and as a person. It makes you mentally stronger because it’s so demanding - the margin for error is much smaller, the quality of the players is higher.
"The pace and physicality are different from other leagues I’ve seen. I think that’s why so many people consider it the best league in the world.
"It’s very tough, but honestly, regardless of the club’s situation, I’ve felt good. I’ve been improving with each match, which is normal. Adapting is part of the change, moving from one league to another; in my case, from one continent to another. So I’ve felt good. Now I feel much better, more in tune with the Premier League.
"With Wolves, I’m a very focused, calm, and self-aware person. I know what’s brought me here and where I’m going. What’s helped me achieve great things is staying humble, working hard, and keeping my focus. That’s the only way I know to succeed."
Q: Rob Edwards has just joined the team and knows Wolves’ culture very well… What does he expect from you, and what has he said to you in your personal conversations?
A: "Well, the coach approached me on my first day here, because when he was appointed, I was away with the national team. Since then, he’s been very open with me, telling me he knows what a great player I am. He’s aware of my qualities, everything I can bring to the club, and what’s expected of me.
"He knows it’s a process we need as a club, not just individually, because in the end, we’re a team. He’s tried, in his own way, to give me confidence and security, because maybe things are going well, but they need to be better.
"The situation is complicated, and football demands immediate results and reactions, especially in a place like the Premier League."
Q: Ladislav Krejci, your teammate at Wolves - how do you see him, do you think he could become captain of the Czech Republic?
A: "Yes, I think so. He’s a great player, an excellent centre-back, sometimes plays as a midfielder, and has real quality. He’s impressed a lot of people at the club; he’s very solid. He’s a top defender. Personally, I think he’s very, very good.
"He’s one of the big names in his country, almost always called up to the national team. He’s a great guy, humble, and a hard worker. He came to Wolverhampton with ambition and a desire to contribute and improve."
Q: Another teammate is the Norwegian Jorgen Strand Larsen. How do you see him at a time when Norwegian strikers like Haaland and Sørloth are making headlines?
A: "He’s a great player. He was one of the club’s key names last season. He’s a great teammate, someone who’s welcomed me really well here.
"He’s looked out for me, helped me, given me advice - he’s been here longer and knows what can help me. We’ve built a positive synergy. We’re understanding each other more and more on the pitch, what he likes, what I like.
"I think we can do great things together. He faces tough competition in his national team with top strikers, but he’s one of them too. He’s got a good chance of making the squad for the World Cup, earning his place, and being an important player for Norway up front."
Q: You’ve already played against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester City… From what you’ve seen and experienced, which team has been the toughest?
A: "The good thing is every team is different. They each have their own style and ways of reaching their goals. For me, Chelsea are in a great moment. Some of their players are performing at a high level, both individually and collectively.
"The club is going through a positive phase. They’ve really impressed me. I faced them with Fluminense and with Wolverhampton, and I think right now they’re among the best in the world in terms of how they play and how well organised they are.
"Crystal Palace - well, we Colombians know them a bit more because of Daniel (Munoz), because of (Jefferson) Lerma, who we’ve followed closely. They’re a club that’s done important things in recent years, stayed solid, and have what it takes to fight for big things this season."
Colombia National Team
Q: Yerson Mosquera has been there for a while, suffered a serious injury, but even without playing, the club decided to renew his contract. What’s your experience been like with him, and how do you see his future?
A: "Yerson is a great guy, someone who’s always looked out for me since I arrived, always available. We’re close, first because we’re both Colombian, and second because he’s a great person.
"Even before I came, he was talking to me, explaining a bit about the club, and when things became official, when it was clear I was coming, he was one of the first to call me, explain how the club works, how things are done.
"Since I arrived, he’s been there for me, helping, showing me around, teaching me. He’s been here in the city and at the club for years, so he knows everything well. He’s been a huge help, honestly, and made it much easier for me to settle in.
"Despite the injuries, he’s a big talent, a great centre-back, and most importantly, he’s ready to represent Colombia now and in the future."
Q: What are your expectations after playing most of the qualifiers, with just months to go before the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada?
A: "My focus right now is to be as well prepared as possible for the World Cup. That’s every player’s dream: to play in a World Cup, the most important tournament, and it’s a privilege to be there.
"We have a great opportunity ahead to achieve something historic for Colombia, for our country, and to bring joy to the people who deserve it and need it.
"We’re taking it step by step, following the process, knowing how tough the World Cup is, and holding onto the hope and excitement for the tournament, because of the team we have, the work we’ve done, and everything that’s gone into this positive journey.
"We’re very close to the World Cup, but there are still things we can improve to be at our best when it arrives."
Q: One thing we’ve noticed about you with Colombia is that you’ve become a real ‘all-rounder’. We don’t see Jhon Arias just as a right or left winger, but also filling in for Luis Díaz when he moves centrally. You play as an inside midfielder with Richard Ríos and Lerma, on the right, on the left… How have you found that role?
A: "I’m here to contribute wherever I’m needed, wherever the coach Néstor thinks is best for the team, because in the end, it’s about what’s best for the group. For me, it’s good because I think it makes me a much more complete player, someone who can play in different positions, and in modern football, that’s really important - to be able to perform various roles and feel comfortable.
"I honestly feel comfortable in all of them, and I try to improve, so when I play as an inside midfielder, I do it better; when I’m a winger, I do it better; whether I’m on the left or right, I try to do my best. It’s a win-win: teams need players like that, and for me, it’s great to play that way and keep growing."
Q: You played for Patriotas, Santa Fe, and América. Do any of these three clubs mean more to you or feel more like home?
A: "I think I have the same affection for all three. Each one marked my career in a positive, special way. Patriotas was the first top-flight professional club to give me a chance, the one that believed in me. I’ve always had a connection with them, and they’ve always looked out for me. So I’m grateful to them.
"América is a big club, one of the biggest in Colombia and South America. It was where I won my first professional title, so I have that memory and affection for being the first club to give me that honour.
"Santa Fe was the club that projected me internationally, probably the one that allowed me to go to Brazil, have that experience, and be where I am today. I’m grateful to them, too. Rather than ‘committing’ to one of the three, I have a different kind of affection for each. If the opportunity came up to return to any of them, I’d take it. I have special memories and affection for all three.
Q: Jhon, thank you so much for your time and for flying the Colombian flag so high.
A: "Thank you for the interview and for the opportunity. All the best, and God bless you."