Roma President James Pallotta reveals Radja Nainggolan played through injury and there is a “temperament change” in Daniele De Rossi.
The patron spoke to American radio station Sirius XM FC, you can read the rest of that interview here and here.
Roma President James Pallotta reveals Radja Nainggolan played through injury and there is a “temperament change” in Daniele De Rossi.
The patron spoke to American radio station Sirius XM FC, you can read the rest of that interview here and here.
It took place on Thursday evening, just hours after Nainggolan had signed a new contract to June 2021.
“I had conversations with him, I said obviously I want to keep you, the Coaches and Monchi want to keep you. In my view, he’s one of the most important people on the pitch for Roma. There’s no question, he doesn’t stop, he’s just a complete competitor.
“There was a period last year where he was very important to get us points, as we only made the Champions League by finishing one point ahead of Napoli.
“It was a period of about six games in a row when people didn’t realise Radja was playing with some really pulled muscles and stuff, but the guy wouldn’t get off the pitch at all. He’s really important to us.”
Francesco Totti hung up his boots this summer in an emotional farewell at the Stadio Olimpico, ending 25 years in the Giallorossi jersey.
This also means that ‘Capitan Futuro’ De Rossi inherits the armband.
“With De Rossi for so many years people thought he might be the captain, this year might be the captain, but now I can already see the change in temperament in De Rossi,” explained Pallotta.
“I see it in some of the other guys too, they are pretty focused and really believe this is their year.
“You can see how they’re interacting. In past years there was music playing in the locker room, but I noticed there was no music and I asked what happened. They said: ‘We’re done with that ****’.”