Gervinho: ‘I missed Italy’

Parma winger Gervinho admits “I missed Italy so much” when he was in China – “as soon as I knew I could return, I said no to the other offers”.

The Ivorian spent two-and-a-half seasons with Roma before joining Hebei China Fortune, but jumped at the chance to return to Serie A in the summer.

“I missed Italy so much,” Gervinho confessed, speaking to the Corriere dello Sport.

Parma winger Gervinho admits “I missed Italy so much” when he was in China – “as soon as I knew I could return, I said no to the other offers”.

The Ivorian spent two-and-a-half seasons with Roma before joining Hebei China Fortune, but jumped at the chance to return to Serie A in the summer.

“I missed Italy so much,” Gervinho confessed, speaking to the Corriere dello Sport.

“As soon as I knew I could return, I said no to the other offers. I find Italian football to be more competitive and technically better. Juventus will win this season though.

“You’ve yet to see the best Gervinho, I have a contract until 2021 that I want to respect. I’m really happy here.

“It wasn’t easy to leave Rome, it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world, even if I only saw the Colosseum once.

“I missed the affection of the fans, I always liked it but I’m a bit more reserved. I kept in touch with [Radja] Nainggolan, and I missed La Locanda restaurant – fabulous carbonara.

“Rudi Garcia? He was a father to me, we had a wonderful relationship. He was fundamental to my growth, and no other Coach means as much to me as him.”