Rudi Voller has revealed his pride in seeing Arturo Vidal realise his potential in Serie A, one he says Bayer Leverkusen knew about beforehand.
Rudi Voller has revealed his pride in seeing Arturo Vidal realise his potential in Serie A, one he says Bayer Leverkusen knew about beforehand.
Since leaving Leverkusen for Juventus last summer, Vidal has become a key member of Antonio Conte’s Bianconeri in an impressive debut campaign in Serie A.
Former Roma man Voller today reflected on Vidal’s progress since leaving the German League, in light of seeing the Chilean international net twice against his former side this weekend.
“I was very pleased for him,” declared Voller to TuttoJuve.com. “Mind you, not because he had scored two goals against ‘my’ Roma, but because once again he has demonstrated his value.
“Sometimes I have time to watch the Italian League and I have noticed how well integrated into Serie A Arturo is now.”
As sporting director at Leverkusen, Voller played a part both in signing Vidal to the Bundesliga side in 2007 and in selling him Juve last summer.
“I remember when he arrived at Leverkusen we were impressed with how he managed to play with an intensity and perseverance that was always very high.
“And then there is something important – he demonstrated the ability to play any role, he could play midfield, or in defence or at full-back. In Turin he is simply confirming what we saw at Leverkusen.
“We called him the ‘Little Warrior’ because he was always running and fighting from the first to last minute.”