Former Roma captain Francesco Totti admitted he’s ‘impressed’ by Jose Mourinho, said Nicolò Zaniolo ‘must mature’, and praised ‘worthy captain’ Lorenzo Pellegrini and ‘top-level’ Tammy Abraham.
Totti, who retired in 2017 after playing 785 competitive games with the Giallorossi, commented on Roma’s season so far in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The World Cup winner believes Roma can ‘have their say’ in Serie A this term, but stressed it’s ‘very early days’.
“We are only in the very early days, everything is still on the high seas,” Totti told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “The same for Juve, who had a slow start. They will arrive.
“Roma and Napoli can do very well and much better than last season. There are no teams that will dominate the championship, all the big four or five can have their say.
“But let’s talk about it much later, three-quarters of a season at least.”
Mourinho arrived ahead of the new campaign and has started with five consecutive wins.
“The news is that he has chosen Roma,” Totti said. “He’s a flexible coach, who has won a lot, has charisma. He is undoubtedly a great character and motivator for the team.
“He has always been and remains an added value: both on the pitch and in the management of the group.
“He amazed me in his ability to get in tune with the environment immediately. He puts himself in front of everyone, acts as a lightning rod, and ability that in a city like Rome can be decisive.”
Italy international Zaniolo has returned from two serious ACL injuries and Totti wants to give him time to mature before asking him to live up to the current expectations.
“He’s young and returns from two serious injuries,” Totti said. “We all hope he will become a champion but he still has to prove a lot.
“For all that has happened to him, he must ‘help’ himself even more by training and working hard. He matures by growing up, he must also do it from a character and professional point of view, he surrounds himself with people who help him.
“What happens off the pitch in Rome is fundamental: he comes in front of everything. He has great prospects and can certainly have a great career. Let’s see in 10 years what level he will have reached.
“I repeat, I wish him only the best.”
Tammy Abraham has arrived from Chelsea and Totti believes the English striker will ‘do well’ at the Olimpico.
“He’s a player at top level, he arrives from Chelsea,” Totti continued. “He’s young, he has the shots that haven’t been seen in Rome for a while and that have enthused the fans.
“He’s technically good and he’s a guy who fights, I’m sure that he will do well.”
Totti praised Pellegrini and believes the midfielder is ‘a worthy captain’.
“I believe in Lorenzo Pellegrini. Roma and Rome understand the value of this lad,” he said. “He’s really strong and has all the moral skills needed to be a leader.
“He knows how to behave, he knows how to stay in his place, he’s humble. He’s a worthy captain.”
And finally, Totti was asked about Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who turns 40 in October and could beat the former Roma striker’s record in Europe.
Totti is the oldest player to have scored in Europe at 38 years and 59 days, but the 39-year-old has a chance already against Liverpool on Wednesday.
“He will certainly beat my record. He has a different mentality from the others, he’s one of the strongest in the world and if a better one arrives, it’s right that he takes the record,” Totti admitted.
“Records are made to be broken and, in this case, I would be really happy for him. He can still give a lot. He’s still in great shape, he will simply have to manage himself.”