Luciano Spalletti confirms Gervinho asked to leave Roma, and discusses Ervin Zukanovic.
The Ivorian winger joined Chinese club Hebei China Fortune this week, while the defender is expected to arrive from Sampdoria today.
“To clarify, Gervinho wanted to leave at all costs,” Spalletti told journalists in his Press conference ahead of the Frosinone match.
Luciano Spalletti confirms Gervinho asked to leave Roma, and discusses Ervin Zukanovic.
The Ivorian winger joined Chinese club Hebei China Fortune this week, while the defender is expected to arrive from Sampdoria today.
“To clarify, Gervinho wanted to leave at all costs,” Spalletti told journalists in his Press conference ahead of the Frosinone match.
“[Stephan] El Shaarawy wanted to come at all costs, so El Shaarawy serves the team and not Gervinho. Gervinho is going to triple his salary. I told him ‘fine’.
“Zukanovic is player who has already been playing in Italy for two years, he plays in a position where we’re short and the sporting director [Walter Sabatini] has done well to bring him in.
“He’s a player I endorsed, I know him, I’ve spoken with those who know him and I feel reassured. He has character, he’s physically strong, he’s got good positioning, he’s strong with his head and with his feet.
“He’s not very fast, but he always positions himself well. He can do well.”
Genoa winger Diego Perotti was expected to join the Lupi this January, but the transfer hasn’t yet been completed.
“Perotti is someone we continue to watch, especially the sporting director who has slept in his office every night.
“We’re looking to see if we can find a player who will help us in one-on-ones, sometimes you can try 1000 solutions and the right player is looking you in the face, so you don’t have the problem anymore.”
Finally, the Coach was asked about Seydou Doumbia, who may need up staying at Roma, after a move to Fenerbahce fell through.
“I know him, he’s a player who caused me problems when I played against him in Russia. He has difficulty being a team player.
“It seems to me this topic has already been dealt with. Bringing him back from outside could create more doubts, it’s best not to do so.
“We have a striker, his name is [Edin] Dzeko. He’s a player with quality. He have to get the ball to him, and trust him to use it. He’ll show his quality, we just have to trust him.”