The Dutchman will make his debut with the rossoblùs tomorrow in the friendly match against Augsburg The Brazilian Dalbert will also be there: “Happy to have João Pedro as a teammate”
CAGLIARI. They call it the “washing machine” for its ability to clean up balls in midfield. And to return them ready for use. When he got hurt, someone – quite wickedly and mercilessly – spoke of a “broken washing machine”. Kevin Strootman himself recalled this with a promising dose of self-irony during his first press conference as a Cagliari player. The rossoblù club between today and tomorrow will meet Inter for Nainggolan and Nandez, and in the meantime, while the negotiations with Olympique Marseille for Simeone reopen, the club could close with Spal for Strefezza.
Here is Strootman. Last season’s championship with Genoa, the first appearances with Cagliari and also the first declarations in the rossoblù speak for themselves: other than broken, the “washing machine” is loaded. Ready for tomorrow’s friendly against Augsburg in Germany, the first test against a team of the same level (Bundesliga) in this preseason.
«I always feel the responsibility when I arrive in a new team. I don’t like to lose and I would like to convey my mentality to all my teammates. I am convinced that part of the quality of a team is given by the mentality, on this I hope to be able to give my contribution. Then I am someone who plays well if the team is doing well and I believe that together with the other experienced players it is our job to help the younger players, even on a human as well as a technical level ».
He was from Marseille, confirmation at Genoa seemed obvious. And instead. “When I was on vacation, I spoke with President Giulini. I wanted to leave Marseille by now and he convinced me to wear the rossoblù shirt. In the last part of last season I played with Genoa, finding myself very well, now I want to do well here. Right from the start the feeling with his teammates was excellent ». His teammates, especially those who are closest on the pitch, impressed him: «I had already seen the great quality available to the team as I played against Cagliari last season. During the retreat, Marin impressed me, the return of Rog who is fully recovering was also very important, obviously I was impressed by João Pedro, even though I already knew what a great player he was. We have potentially 25 players in the squad ». Situation? “There is still work to be done, especially physically.”
Next to him, the Brazilian Dalbert, another new face. «A few words and many facts: this is my goal. I like to play in the five-man midfield with three defenders because I am freer and can better express my offensive qualities. Improve myself? Always, in both phases. I will do everything to deserve the reconfirmation at the end of the season ». Cagliari with him more Brazilian: «I am happy to have João Pedro as my teammate, at the moment he is the best Brazilian scorer in Europe, I hope to be able to give him many assists».