Emerson Palmieri reveals he is thinking about the World Cup with Italy “every day” and believes Roma have “huge potential to go far”.
Emerson is currently on the mend after damaging knee ligaments at the end of last season, but that has not stopped the naturalised left-back from having big dreams for the upcoming campaign.
“I’m working in the gym and both the doctors and I think it’s going well. I’ll be back soon,” he told Roma Radio.
Emerson Palmieri reveals he is thinking about the World Cup with Italy “every day” and believes Roma have “huge potential to go far”.
Emerson is currently on the mend after damaging knee ligaments at the end of last season, but that has not stopped the naturalised left-back from having big dreams for the upcoming campaign.
“I’m working in the gym and both the doctors and I think it’s going well. I’ll be back soon,” he told Roma Radio.
“Florenzi helping me? Of course. We’re at Pinzolo together and we often talk to Strootman about how to go about certain things because it’s normal to feel pain, but with them I feel safer.
“Importance of being in the group? Very much so. I feel I’m at the training camp with them. I’m also doing double sessions and this is very important.
“Brazilian community? Sometimes it’s said that our volume is a bit high, but when we’re together it’s as if we were in Brazil. That’s why we're always amongst each other.
“Why do Brazilian footballers have a great tradition with Roma? Roma have a great history of Brazilian footballers.
“I don’t know why, but it’s a city that looks like a Brazil one, with passionate people like our fans. It’s probably for this reason.
“We have an immense desire to return to the Olimpico with the Curva Sud behind us. This season will be even more beautiful thanks to the Champions League. I hope it’ll be a beautiful one.
“What do I miss? Being on the pitch. Sometimes I watch [Roma’s] training sessions and matches. I didn’t expect to feel this way after just two months.
“Judging my teammates’ work? They’re doing fine. They tell me that they’re running so much, but they feel great. They like the Coach’s work in terms of pressing and attacking.
“Di Francesco? I’ve talked to him a few times. When we do, we talk or watch videos.
“He’s important to me because he seems to also value the defensive side of the game.
“Do I like Di Francesco’s football? Of course, it’s a style of play that I really enjoy because he likes to play with width.
“Even when we played against Sassuolo, it was difficult to mark players out wide. I like to play that way.
“Karsdorp? ‘Ricky’ is a very good guy. I’m learning English with him and he’s learning Italian with me. He has a huge desire to get on the pitch as well.
“Kolarov? He’s a top player, who’s joined Roma to help me. I can also help him. I help him, he helps me, we help the team. This is important.
“My objective for next season? To play with the confidence I had before, not being afraid of doing things. Then, when I get back to 100 percent, to help the team.
“World Cup? Yes, I work every day thinking about being called up by Italy in June.
“Has De Rossi told me about what the World Cup means? There’s still time to talk and learn, but I ask him because he’s already won it.
“New Roma? There’s huge potential. We’ve been battling to win the title for two years now and this season will be very important.
“We picked up four points against Juventus and we have to continue like this in order to close the gap on them. We’re in three competitions and we have to work on all three.
“Inter and Milan have had big transfer campaigns. Napoli have also proven to be of a high standard.
“We must try and fight in every game because every point is important. We’ll have to be more careful and play every game like it’s a Final.
“A message to Roma fans? I had a difficult relationship with them at first, but with work and humility, I changed this relationship and they’re helping me recover as strongly as possible.
“We need them. Together we can go far.”