Monchi: Cristante has a huge future for us and for Italy

The Spaniard was delighted to welcome the midfielder to the club - answering questions about the acquisition before discussing a number of other matters.

“Bryan was perhaps the best midfielder in the league last season," Monchi said.

"His skills and overall play speak for him. He has a very bright future, not just for Roma but for the Italian national team, and we’re very excited about this.”

What can Cristante bring to Roma’s midfield?

“He’s a player who can get into the opposition box, he’s strong, he’s got good technique, he can score and much more. Along with his team-mates he’ll make up a strong midfield for us.”

How does the squad seem to you at the moment?

“It may be early, but you can see there’s a good atmosphere. Seeing Di Francesco work makes me happy, he works very hard and he communicates that to the players, which is important for a squad with ten new players. A team that wants to fight for top objectives needs a coach like that. Our club is an economically strong one, but we’re still a long way off the biggest in Europe. Here at Trigoria we have two fundamental values though: the work we put in, and the group. They are two crucial building blocks for reaching our aims, two values which we can’t forget, none of us can allow ourselves to forget them. It’s the best way to success.”

You currently have nine options in midfield: is Roma’s the strongest in Italy?

“We have a strong midfield but we shouldn’t say it’s the best around. We need to be satisfied with what we have, because besides the quality available, we have players who can play in different roles, which is important for the different situations we will face. We shouldn’t look to compare ourselves with other sides, we need to be happy with who we’ve brought in. I am, very much so.”

With Cristante, Pastore and Coric coming in, and Nainggolan out, the characteristics of the midfield will change: do you have a hyper-attacking Roma in mind?

“After the season, it’s our job to fix what didn’t work, and not just in midfield. I think that with each of these buys we looked to bring in something different. With Bryan, we have strength, an ability to get in the box, and technique, Pastore brings the quality to increase the number of attacking options available. We lost seven games at the Olimpico last year. Something wasn’t right, we needed more attacking options in order to win more games at home. That was our biggest problem in the league last year.”

Do you expect more players in?

“Coming in, no, we already have a lot of players. In terms of anyone leaving, I’m not sure. The coach and I will discuss it so I can get his ideas on that.”

Was the deal for Cristante an easy one?

“With every deal, if the player wants to come then everything is easier. I always felt he was convinced on coming here, and that gives us strength and faith.”

Is there a question mark over Lorenzo Pellegrini’s contract?

“There’s no news there. I’ve been happy to read that he’s keen on staying and doing big things here. Having Pellegrini and Cristante in the same team is a source of pride, they’re two building blocks for the future Italian national team. It should be a source of happiness for Romanisti and Italians in general. Lorenzo will stay here for many years, there’s plenty of time to talk.”

Is Chiesa just a player you admire, or is he a concrete objective?

“I like him. He’s a Fiorentina player, and the future of the national team. I don’t think there’s any chance of pursuing him though.”

Are there time limits to selling players?

“Everything has its time, we’re not fed up. I can’t give a deadline, but everything has its time.”

Is talk of the Scudetto an impossible dream?

“No dream is impossible. Last year we came close to reaching the final of the Champions League, and I’m sure that even the most optimistic of our fans wouldn’t have expected that. It’s difficult, the same team has won each of the last seven years but we want to give everything we’ve got to try and do it. This Roma side deserves to achieve great things, to make the fans’ dreams come true. The fans deserve more than words, they deserve results. Nothing is impossible if you work for it, even if it may be very difficult.”

Right now, do you think the midfield is stronger than it was last year?

“We had a very strong midfield. I think that we have one this year too. Whether more or less strong, the important thing it to have faith, and to be satisfied with what we’ve got.”