Diego Perotti claims the Francesco Totti incident was overblown and 'absolutely did not affect Roma's team dynamics'.
The Argentinian striker joined the Giallorossi as a winter transfer and has already established himself as one Coach Luciano Spalletti's most dependable starters.
“I'd heard of offers from Milan, Napoli and Inter before coming to Roma,” he told Goal.com. “The Nerazzurri Coach Roberto Mancini called me. He told me they were very interested and that they liked me, but they were waiting to sell a player first.
Diego Perotti claims the Francesco Totti incident was overblown and 'absolutely did not affect Roma's team dynamics'.
The Argentinian striker joined the Giallorossi as a winter transfer and has already established himself as one Coach Luciano Spalletti's most dependable starters.
“I'd heard of offers from Milan, Napoli and Inter before coming to Roma,” he told Goal.com. “The Nerazzurri Coach Roberto Mancini called me. He told me they were very interested and that they liked me, but they were waiting to sell a player first.
“But in the summer I didn't hear from them and it all finished there.
“My passage to Roma was extremely quick. I played for Genoa against Fiorentina, took a shower and was told to rush off to the capital.
“My wife got me some clothes and I changed in the bathroom of the airport. I landed in Rome on Sunday night and on Tuesday I played. Fortunately it went well and we won 2-0.”
The 27-year-old was then asked what struck him the most when he began his adventure with Roma.
“It may seem like a cliché, but I was very surprised when I started training with a legend like Totti. You understand immediately why he's been in football for such a long time.
“He is the idol of the team and the city. And it's well-deserved.
“I was also surprised by Mohamed Salah, he's ridiculously fast with the ball. It's incredible, the only other player I've seen with that speed is Jesus Navas.”
Totti's relationship with Coach Luciano Spalletti was fraught, and at one point the captain was frozen out of the squad.
“The incident absolutely did not affect the dynamics of the group. Everything was blown up by the media, which is normal in a club like Roma, and with a player like Totti. It wasn't such a big deal.
“My role as a false nine? I'd already played several games in that position for Genoa and I have no problem with it.
“Even so, my position is that of a left-footed winger, and that's where I like to start from.
“The Coach told me in advance that that was going to be my position, because [Edin] Dzeko was injured.
“I really have no problems playing this way. In fact, I'm very happy.”