The Swansea City manager was speaking at the end of the week that saw Rangel and Chairman Huw Jenkins trade blows in the media after the former blocked a proposed transfer deadline day move to Fulham.
Rangel accused the chairman of blocking his progress whilst Jenkins revealed that the move was to be a loan one and that he would have been mad to let it happen with no permanent deal guaranteed at the back end of it.
And Sousa has stepped into the argument by claiming that the defender still has much to learn and needs to improve.
“I don’t want to talk about finances because that is the chairman’s job,” he told the Western Maill
“But, technically and tactically, in my opinion, Angel has to progress a lot as a player.
“He is a good player with a good understanding of the game. But he can be a lot better than he has been until now.
“Hopefully he can do that with us here. Then he can have what he wants.
“If a player is consistent in his performances and grows all the time, the chance (to move) never goes. They come more and more.
“So, if he keeps doing well and plays better than he has until now, I’m sure in the end, whether it’s next season or in two seasons, he will probably have better opportunities than this one.
“If Angel isn’t right and doesn’t train or play well, he won’t play for us
“It is so simple like that.
“This is what happens in football. Not just here, but with all clubs.
“Players know that if they don’t play well they won’t be picked. If that happens they can’t think about the future.
“Of course the motivation is important and that’s something we want to help him with.
“He needs to be motivated because, if he is thinking about Premier League clubs, he needs to be playing well to keep them interested.”
Sousa also refused to be drawn on the speculation that continues to link his players with a step up in division but revealed his delight now February has arrived
“I’m happy the window has closed because now everyone can be 100 per cent focused on playing for Swansea,” he explained. “At this moment in time Swansea is the best club they have and I’m very happy the speculation can finish.
“I’m happy because I worked very hard from the start of the season to keep most of the players in the squad. They are a fantastic group and I’m delighted we can finish the season with that group intact.
“I spoke to the chairman about my thoughts and, when he told me the club didn’t have any financial problems, I told him I wanted to keep the players.
“He did that and I’m very happy about it.”
“Angel is a Swansea player and I expect the best from him. I hope we will see the best of him this season.
“If the club does not have financial problems, why wouldn’t we turn them down?
“I am just happy I got to keep the players I wanted and the chairman did everything he could to keep them.
“Now, if players want to think about a future in the Premiership, they need to play well here. Swansea has to be their focus.
“I don’t care about whether or not they will move on in the summer.
“They just need to play well until the end of the season and then I will take my decisions.”
