Roma starlet Cengiz Under says he is ‘very proud’ to have been chosen as Mohamed Salah’s successor and ‘wants to become Turkey’s best’.
Roma endured a tough start to life without Salah, who will face the Giallorossi as a Liverpool player in the Champions League semi-finals, but Cengiz has gone on to explode into form since the turn of the year.
Roma starlet Cengiz Under says he is ‘very proud’ to have been chosen as Mohamed Salah’s successor and ‘wants to become Turkey’s best’.
Roma endured a tough start to life without Salah, who will face the Giallorossi as a Liverpool player in the Champions League semi-finals, but Cengiz has gone on to explode into form since the turn of the year.
“Champions League semi-finals? I’m 20 years old and I can say that this is my biggest success so far, but it’s not enough for me,” the young attacker told Corriere dello Sport.
“We all want to reach the Final. I’m living through the happiest days of my life with Roma.
“I’m very proud that Roma chose me to replace an important player like Salah. A lot is being expected of me, but I showed my quality on the pitch after January.
“If I started playing better at a certain point, it’s thanks to my teammates and the ocaching staff.
“I’ve found myself very well on the pitch since the game against Verona, and I’ve been able to influence the result. My performances have grown since then.
“Strootman? He always tries to talk to me. He asks me a lot of questions and always waits for an answer. If I understand his words, I answer him. Otherwise, I turn my back to him!
“I want to play for one of the best teams in Europe and represent my country, like Calhanoglu is for Milan and [Cenk] Tosun is for Everton.
“I’m one of them, but I want to become [Turkey’s] best by working hard. I’ll keep representing my country in the best possible way.
“Liverpool? If we play our game and do what the Coach asks of us, we’ll move forward as a team.
“We showed that against Barcelona. We helped each other and won. We want to repeat this against Liverpool.”