Strootman eager to play matches again

Kevin Strootman revealed he cannot wait to start playing matches for Roma again, as the Giallorossi squad got together for the start of preseason on Thursday.

The Dutch midfielder, who made his return to the game in February 2016 after spending 392 days out with injury, is feeling confident about his fitness and shared his delight at being able starting his first proper preseason in two years.

“I can’t wait to play matches again. I feel good and my knee is fine,” said Strootman, after completing his medical tests at Villa Stuart.

“It’s really important to start the season with the rest of the group and go through preseason as a squad, especially as I’ve not been able to do that for the last two years.”

How did your medical tests go today?

“We did everything they asked and I think it all went well. We’re used to starting with these tests and then finally getting back out on the pitches tomorrow. Last year I only played four games, but now I want to come back and give 100%.”

Can this be your year?

“I’m not bothered about that – it has to be Roma’s year, not mine. I want to help the team and if I’m at 100% I’ll be able to do a good job.”

After experiencing training last season, are you expecting lots of hard work from a Luciano Spalletti preseason?

“I think so. We worked really hard over the last four or five months of the season and that was really important for us. In any case, we need to be at 100% in five or six weeks’ time for the Champions League playoffs.”

How big was it for you to play those matches for Holland at the end of last season?

“It was perfect. I played three games in ten days with the national team and that meant I had two more weeks of training as well as the matches. Sadly, Holland didn’t qualify for the Euros, but now I just want to look to the future and do well both with the Dutch national team and Roma.”