Paredes eager to contribute to 'strong squad' this season

The young midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Serie A side Empoli, returned to the Giallorossi this summer – and has been relishing the chance to impress coach Luciano Spalletti on the club’s pre-season tour of North America.

“It was great to come back [to Roma], I rejoined a very strong squad,” Paredes told asroma.com. “I hope to improve, and to contribute to the team in some way.

“I have really enjoyed this tour, especially the period when we were in Boston – we had fun together, but above all we worked hard.”

The Argentine, who will wear the No. 5 shirt this season, started Monday’s friendly victory over Liverpool in St. Louis – a first indication that Spalletti might have plans for him this term.

“Playing at Busch Stadium against a strong team was important for us,” Paredes noted. “We came out well, we did a number of good things, but as often happens in pre-season there were plenty of aspects to improve upon.

“I played alongside [Kevin] Strootman and [Radja] Nainggolan, and next to them I feel comfortable: I can learn so much from them - as I also can from Daniele De Rossi - about playing in front of the defence.”

He added: “Spalletti wants me to cover the spaces that are left by the other midfielders. I have to play the ball with one, at most two touches – according to the coach that will make things easier for me and I believe that.”