Roma boss Paulo Fonseca says he will ‘do everything’ to keep Manchester United loanee Chris Smalling and that Nicolo Zaniolo has ‘improved considerably’.
Smalling has been a virtual ever-present for Roma since arriving on a season-long loan from United last summer, and Fonseca claims the defender also ‘wants to stay’.
“I will do everything I can to keep him at Roma next year too,” he told ESPN.
Roma boss Paulo Fonseca says he will ‘do everything’ to keep Manchester United loanee Chris Smalling and that Nicolo Zaniolo has ‘improved considerably’.
Smalling has been a virtual ever-present for Roma since arriving on a season-long loan from United last summer, and Fonseca claims the defender also ‘wants to stay’.
“I will do everything I can to keep him at Roma next year too,” he told ESPN.
“I know he wants to stay, let’s see what happens. He’s an amazing man, so humble, so professional.
“He is adored by the fans and established himself as one of the leaders in the dressing room.
“It’s not easy for English central defenders to adapt so quickly to Italian football, the record there isn’t good. But he has been amazing.”
The Portuguese then hailed Zaniolo’s development, from a ‘wild man’ to a player who will become ‘one of the best’ in Europe.
"He’s not just a wonderful natural talent, he’s a player who improved considerably this year.
“I used to say he was like a wild man, following his instincts, but now he understands the game, understands the space, understands the decision-making.
“I have no doubt that in a few years he’ll be one of the best players not just in Italy but in all of Europe.”