Roma winger Justin Kluivert has “already noticed that I’m becoming more complete as a player” after moving to Italy.
The youngster joined the Giallorossi from Ajax in the summer, and played as the Netherlands beat Peru 2-1 in Wesley Sneijder’s farewell match.
“I don’t feel like a second choice, nor a first choice,” Kluivert explained to AD.
“I’m kind of in the middle ground, but I’ve already noticed that I’m becoming more complete as a player.
Roma winger Justin Kluivert has “already noticed that I’m becoming more complete as a player” after moving to Italy.
The youngster joined the Giallorossi from Ajax in the summer, and played as the Netherlands beat Peru 2-1 in Wesley Sneijder’s farewell match.
“I don’t feel like a second choice, nor a first choice,” Kluivert explained to AD.
“I’m kind of in the middle ground, but I’ve already noticed that I’m becoming more complete as a player.
“There was a lot of talent at Ajax, but there are a lot of experienced players at Roma and on the pitch we’re asked to do things that are different to what I was used to.
“The Coach [Eusbebio Di Francesco] likes me to play a little more inside, closer to the striker.
“When you don’t have the ball you need to stay compact with the rest of the team, then you spread out as soon as you have the ball.
“I’m working hard and I think I’m getting better. I’m sure I’ll be successful.
“I want to be an important player this season. I didn’t expect to be a regular starter at this point, I just want to improve and I’m learning a lot.
“I’m trying to get used to playing a different style of football as soon as possible.”
It was then put to Kluivert that Italian football is focused solely on results, unlike Dutch football.
“During training sessions with Ajax there were often six goals in a match, but there are only two at Roma.
“Everyone wants to win, everyone maintains balance on the pitch. It’s not like that wasn’t the case at Ajax, but it’s different.”
Kevin Strootman helped welcome the young Dutchman to Rome, but he has now joined Marseille…
“Kevin played for Roma for five years and, along with Rick [Karsdorp] he told me a lot about the city and the club,” Kluivert confirmed.
“We went to dinner, the three of us, and they helped me to settle-in well. I thought I’d have missed Amsterdam a lot more.
“In the first few months I lived in the hotel at the training ground, now I have a little house outside Rome and my mother is there.
“I really like life in Italy, and I think I made the right choice.”