Roma full-back Davide Santon admits fans are “right to be a bit skeptical” of him, but wants to “make them reconsider”.
The defender arrived as part of the deal which took Radja Nainggolan to Inter, and wasn’t given the warmest of receptions.
The Belgian was a fan favourite, while the man coming the other way hadn’t managed more than 20 appearances in a season since 2013-14.
“The pitch gives the final answers,” Santon told Sky.
Roma full-back Davide Santon admits fans are “right to be a bit skeptical” of him, but wants to “make them reconsider”.
The defender arrived as part of the deal which took Radja Nainggolan to Inter, and wasn’t given the warmest of receptions.
The Belgian was a fan favourite, while the man coming the other way hadn’t managed more than 20 appearances in a season since 2013-14.
“The pitch gives the final answers,” Santon told Sky.
“I arrived three months ago and was greeted with skepticism, we always talk about football here in Rome and I couldn’t avoid what was said about my arrival or the sale of Nainggolan.
“For me Roma represented the opportunity for a rebirth, I knew I had to repay the confidence Roma gave me and make the fans reconsider.
“In my opinion they’re even right to be a bit skeptical, I’m coming off a bad season. But I want to get back to playing and I got on with everyone right away. I always give 100 per cent in training.
“These recent wins have been important, as have my performances, but we need to aim to do better and win something.
“Monchi [the sporting director] already contacted me when he was at Sevilla, he had faith in me and I have to thank him.
“If I’m here it’s because of him and I’m happy, I hope to stay here for a long time.”
When Santon first came through at Inter he was seen as one of Italy’s most promising full-backs, but some have suggested his confidence was broken after he was publicly criticised by then-Coach Jose Mourinho…
“He gave me my debut and I’ll always thank him for that. It’s the same for Monchi [Roma Coach Eusebio] Di Francesco, all my teammates and the club.”