Strootman: 'We can achieve great things this year'

Kevin Strootman is hopeful that this season will be a great one for Roma and has faith in the work being done by the club’s management.

Speaking to Roma TV in Detroit, during the team’s tour of the United States, the Dutch midfielder said: “I really believe that we can achieve great things this year. The club’s leadership knows how to build a strong team.

"They’ve shown that over recent years and they’ll do the same again this season.”

What are your initial impressions of this tour?

“I’m happy with the end of last season, with my contract renewal and the fact we got second place and achieved automatic qualification for the Champions League. Now I’m pleased to be able to get going again with the team. We’ve had quite a long holiday; that’s been good for us as we’ve been able to rest. Now we’re ready to get started again.”

What are your thoughts on the new coach?

“We’re working a great deal, as we have done previously. A new coach always brings some degree of change with them. I’ve spoken to him and with other players. We need to move forwards and work very hard, as we need to be ready for the league campaign.”

You’re a leader for the Netherlands and for Roma. People expect you to be a leader for the younger players here.

“I always want to help the youngsters. Our leader is Daniele De Rossi. I want to do my job and help the team win things. I’ll give everything to achieve that aim. If others tell me that I’m a leader then that’s fine… but it’s not something I say about myself.”

How was your experience with American football in Detroit?

“I must say that as a young boy I made the right choice to play football! The ball has to be round, not oval-shaped. I didn’t put on a great showing here in Detroit, but that’s okay. I hope I perform better on the pitch for Roma in our first game in the United States against PSG.”

You’re now a veteran of these tours abroad. What’s it like being back in the United States again, to get ready for the season?

“It’s great – it always is. I’m happy that this season we don’t have to travel around too much and that we can stay for a bit longer in a single place, and therefore train a bit better. We’re in Detroit now, then we’ll head to Boston and stay there. We need to work very hard because we’ll also be playing friendlies against some big teams – we’ll need to be ready for those matches.”