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Schick unveiled by Roma

John Solano
I

Roma sporting director Monchi presented Patrik Schick, the club’s most expensive purchase, today at Trigoria. Here are their words:

Monchi begins
This is the final presentation of a player we will have in this transfer market. There will be no other arrivals and I am saving you the chance to ask this kind of question. I have played the role of sporting director for so many years, most of which were in Sevilla, but this is one of the operations that leaves me the most satisfied and proud. He is a great player and I have received the support of the club and the player’s availability (for this operation.

(To Schick) Do you feel ready to enter the pitch?
Yes, I’m fine and I’m ready to play my first match.



(To Monchi) What made you choose Schick? How did you beat the competition?
It’s very simple, good footballers can always find space in clubs that have great ambitions. He is a magnificent footballer. It was a collective work of everyone: Totti, Di Francesco, the club, Baldissoni and I. We have worked hard to offer Patrik my possible project.

(To Schick) What kind of evening do you expect Friday night against Chapecoense?
It will probably be my first match in this shirt and I’m looking forward to wearing it and having my first contact with Roma fans after having done so at the airport. It was very exciting.

(To Monchi) What significance does the match on Friday against Chapecoense have?
I think it will be a match where many feelings and emotions arrive. Hopefully it pays good homage and it is a gesture and honor for Roma. Football needs moments like these.

(To Schick) Do you have a duty to aim for the Scudetto?
Certainly. I know that Roma finished second and several new players arrived, but we have great ambitions, we hope to have a great season and do great things.

(To Monchi) The futures of Gyomber, Castan, Tumminello and Vainqueur?
They are all different situations. At this time, the most difficult and intense task is to sort the departures of Gyomber and Vainqueur. For Tumminello, we are carefully studying a decision, the player might even stay here with the likes of the Mister. If there is an option in the market that allows the player to grow, we would consider it. On Castan, if we do not find a club appreciated by us and especially the player, he could even stay.

(To Schick) You were the man of the Italian transfer market. Do you want to tell us a bit about everything that happened?
What happened with Juve belongs in the past, I do not want to go back, it’s football, I’m not disappointed, I’m happy to be here today. I never released interviews on my thinking. After the European U-21 competition, I never spoke and never expressed any preferences. Why Roma? There is no difference between Juventus and Roma, they are two big clubs and with great ambitions. I have always been compassionate onwards Roma.

(To Monchi) Can you explain why you did not get to Mahrez?
The answer is very simple: you can not buy something from someone who does not want to sell. It is absolutely regardless of what you offer.

(To Schick) Do you feel pressure of being the most expensive purchase in the history of Roma?
Yes, I heard this thing, but it’s not a question to ask me (laughs). I’m here to play football, I’m not worried about how much I cost, I’m happy to be here.

(To Monchi) You said several times that the priority was a winger, considering the arrivals of Defrel and Schick, can we say that Florenzi will be a winger?
I will reveal a small secret to you. The first time I was in Milan to talk for a player as Roma’s sporting director it was for Patrik. It was two and a half months ago. Patrik has always been our obsession. At that moment, because of strange circumstances at Roma, Juve was his first choice. It was the first negotiation I did to bring a player to Roma. I don’t want to discuss specifics, but my duty and obligation is to bring the best possible players to the Mister. My technical duty now ends now Di Francesco’s duty begins.

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MatchDay 30
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