Maxime Gonalons says Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez “could do great things if he came to Roma”.
The Giallorossi are interested in signing the Algerian to replace Mohamed Salah, and have already had one bid rejected.
“Mahrez is a great player,” Gonalons told Corriere dello Sport.
“He could do great things if he came to Roma. What counts though is the pitch, if pointless fixing objectives when you haven’t played yet.”
Maxime Gonalons says Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez “could do great things if he came to Roma”.
The Giallorossi are interested in signing the Algerian to replace Mohamed Salah, and have already had one bid rejected.
“Mahrez is a great player,” Gonalons told Corriere dello Sport.
“He could do great things if he came to Roma. What counts though is the pitch, if pointless fixing objectives when you haven’t played yet.”
Gonalons had spent his entire career with Lyon before this summer’s move to Serie A, why did he choose the Lupi?
“It’s easy, because this is one of the best teams in Italy. Because the Italian League has come back to being as fascinating as it used to be.
“Because I’m sure I can get great satisfaction here, also in Europe. When they called me, I didn’t hesitate for even a minute.
“It was a very exciting chance for me, [Miralem] Pjanic and [Clement] Grenier pushed me to accept.
“I’m sure it won’t be easy to adapt at first, and above all my family will take some time to adapt to a new life.
“But Rome isn’t far from Lyon, we can still go home occasionally.
“If I think that I spent 17 years at the club of my city then it feels like a lifetime. This change is no joke for me, I’ll be Lyonnais inside forever.
“I had to try this experience though, test myself at a higher level.
“Daniele De Rossi? He’s a legend, a world-class footballer. He’s a symbol of Roma, as [Francesco] Totti was.
“It’s a pleasure for me to be able to work with him, and among other things he speaks a little French, so he can help me to fit in.”
The midfielder was previously linked with Napoli, with claims he turned them down after seeing television mafia drama ‘Gomorrah’…
“It’s not true,” Gonalons insisted.
“Quite simply I got the offer three years ago and I didn’t feel ready. Lyon were building the new stadium and had great ambitions.
“Now was the right time to leave France.”