Luciano Spalletti calls Roma striker Edin Dzeko “great, beautiful, divine”, but warns “he can’t be satisfied”.
The Bosnian forward has 18 goals for the Giallorossi this season, but only one in his last seven games and it has been suggested that he’s suffering from fatigue.
“The talk about playing time is correct,” Spalletti acknowledged in his pre-Sampdoria Press conference.
Luciano Spalletti calls Roma striker Edin Dzeko “great, beautiful, divine”, but warns “he can’t be satisfied”.
The Bosnian forward has 18 goals for the Giallorossi this season, but only one in his last seven games and it has been suggested that he’s suffering from fatigue.
“The talk about playing time is correct,” Spalletti acknowledged in his pre-Sampdoria Press conference.
“It’s equally true that I’ve jabbed him sometimes. I’ve never criticised him, Dzeko and I understand each other well.
“He can never settle. He played very well in Udine, but then he missed those two chances, and looking back on those chances, the squad can’t be satisfied. We have to take advantage of them.
“I’ve told him that if he gets five chances and scores two goals, he can’t be satisfied with that.
“On Monday I drew a line down the middle of the whiteboard, writing the current table on one side and the hypothetical table if Roma had drawn with Udinese.
“For those who would have been happy with a draw, they’d say we’d have been second all the same. But there are 50 differences. But those who are satisfied would be happy all the same.
“That’s the difference between a player who has character and one who doesn’t. One who will recover from an injury an hour before, who can make a comeback in a game.
“This isn’t about Dzeko, but about the whole team.
“Dzeko is a great player, beautiful, divine. Let’s see if the headlines are that I said Dzeko was soft…”
Spalletti was also asked about the transfer market, and the Coach is keen to bring in a player who can contribute right away.
“We’ve been criticised for having a small squad, and sometimes we have been hit by injuries, but we’ve done well to handle it. 15 players are enough for me, as long as they’re good, versatile and available.
“I’m with the club, and if they can do something on the market within the rules which must be followed, that’s fine. If someone has to go away and play, then it’s fine.
“All I’m saying is that if a player leaves then someone must replace him. We’ve played two away games without attacking alternatives. Dzeko has played a lot. If we get [Francesco] Totti back it’s fine.
“But if it happens somewhere else, like when [Daniele] De Rossi had to play in defence then we’re lacking.
“We don’t have time for an apprentice, we need someone who can immediately contribute, we can’t work on him. A player who has the mentality to win games.
“So they have to come from Italy? Not necessarily, they could come from abroad but they have to be on the right level. If someone comes from Italy though it’s worth more. You can teach something about theory, but practice has to be done alone.
“They must be a player already, a player who knows how to take responsibility and can do his job. As I’ve said, we’re not looking for an apprentice, but a professional.
“Gregoire Defrel? There are strong players in Italy, and he is one of them. Sassuolo have said that no-one has asked for him.
“I’m not here to name names, there’s a group of people who are working on these things and they’ll decide along with the President.
“If they find someone, good. If not we’ll stay as we are. We want an attacking midfielder, a winger, or even someone who can deputise for Edin.
“The team worked well last year when we did different things, but it’s good to have alternatives.”