Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has been speaking to As Roma Match Program.
 

He was asked first, whether he could have imagined he would become an integral part of the giallorossi squad to which he replied; “I had some luck when I first arrive because of the injuries to Kevin Strootman. I arrived when he was recovering from his first lay-off but then he got injured again and I am still here. I will do the best for this team until my very last day”.
 

When asked about his famous quote that winning something with Roma would be the equivalent of winning ten with Juventus, Nainggolan stated that; “I don’t know why I said that but it is true. Juventus has always been the team to beat and I can never see myself wearing their colours”.  

Asked about Sunday’s lunchtime date with Atalanta in Bergamo, he declared; “It will be a difficult match. We are better so we must win but they are still fighting for points for Serie A survival”. Having watched last Monday’s 1-1 draw with Bologna from up in the stands, what did he think was lacking from the team? “Naturally,” he said with a smile, “we were missing someone to do the ugly stuff in midfield”, before adding, “But we were unlucky, hitting the woodwork three times”.
 

When asked about his future amid rumours of a move to Chelsea, the Belgian international explained that; “When I was at Cagliari, every summer I was reportedly on the move and I stayed for five years. The same has happened since I arrived at Roma. All’s I will say is that I’m happy here and will give my all for this club”.


Steve Mitchell @barafundler