Juan Jesus meets the press for the first time

The Brazil international, who revealed he will wear No. 3 for the Giallorossi next season, answered a number of questions about his time at Inter Milan and his hopes for the future.

Read the transcript below.

What differences have you noticed between Luciano Spalletti and Roberto Mancini?

“They have different methods. Here it’s more about possession football – we’re encouraged to take just one or two touches and you can feel the intensity in our play. My time at Inter was very important because it was my first European team and I grew up there. Now I need to start again at Roma and listen to Spalletti, who asks something new of me every day. This is only the beginning and I’ve already got lots of work on.”

What are Roma’s objectives for the coming season?

“Roma are a strong side and whenever I played against them in the past we almost always had a tough time of it. It’s never easy to play Roma. As my team-mates have said, we can fight for the Scudetto. We have a great side, we’re tactically strong and if we stick together I think we can go far.”

What memories do you have of Juan and Aldair, two fellow Brazilian defenders who achieved great things with this club?

“They were both fantastic centre-backs. Juan has always been an idol for me and so has Aldair, although I’ve not seen so much of him as I was barely born when he was playing. Juan did very well at World Cups too and I was able to meet him when he joined Internacional in Brazil. If I can achieve 70% of what they did, I’ll be happy. Mancini? Every coach has to make their own decisions. I was always ready to play and he knew that. I want to thank him for all he did for me.”

Do you think Roma is the right place for you to move up a gear?

“Before I had the excuse of being young, but now I’m 25 years old and I need to make that next step up. I have to improve – there’s still a long road ahead of me. You make mistakes in football every day, it’s not like we’re these perfect machines, but I have to learn to make fewer errors.”

Do you play better in a back three?

“I had my best season when I played in a back three under [Walter] Mazzarri, partly because the team worked really well in that system, but I don’t think there’s just one system that suits my game. I’ve suffered a bit over the past few years because it’s quite tough to play at San Siro, but it’s all experience. I’ve come a long way and it stands me in good stead for the future.

"The people there always want to find a target, but it was a general problem with the team not working properly – I don’t know why, but I don’t want to speak ill of Inter. I think now I need to focus on doing new things and doing them well. I’m really happy. I’m learning something new every day and I’m sure I’ll do well here.”

Are you aiming for a recall to the Brazil team?

“It’s obviously something I think about. I’m still young so I just need to do as well as I can here to have a chance of getting a national-team call-up.”

How have you found the Pinzolo training camp?

“It’s been hot! I’ve got good memories of this place because I came here with Inter too. It’s a bit like coming home and I’ve loved being here.”

What’s your biggest strength and your biggest weakness?

“My biggest strength is that I’m desperate to do well, I’m strong and I’m powerful. I still need to improve in terms of working with the rest of the defence and on my concentration, but Spalletti will really help me to get better in those areas.”

Do you prefer a back three or a back four?

“It’s tough to choose one, but I’ll go for a four-man defence. That’s what the coach likes and I just need to make sure I’m ready and willing.”