Exclusive: Strootman answers questions from fans

We sat down with Kevin Strootman to ask him 11 of the best questions from our Twitter followers. Check out the Dutch midfielder's responses in the interview below...

@initoffa: What do you think about Roma's chances of winning the title next year?

"It's a little early to say, because we just finished the season and came third in the league. To win the Scudetto of course you need some luck, but I think you also need to be more stable and consistent. We did a really great job in the second half of the season by winning a lot of points, but for the last five years Juventus has been too strong for any other team in the league, so to compete with them everybody has to improve and we have to be at 100% every single match. It will be a challenge but at a club like Roma we have to be competing for the title every year."

@Francy_Roma1994: What does it mean to you to return to the national team?

"It's really special, the confidence and the trust they have in me to call me up, even just for friendly games. Unfortunately we aren't playing in the Euros but for me it's perfect to get to play more minutes now that the season is over and I feel good enough to train with my teammates from Holland. It feels really special after a long time out and I'm really looking forward to it."

@ReformatorPSSI: How did you overcome the psychological aspects of such a big injury? Do you allow yourself to think 'this could happen again'?

"It's really difficult in the moments right after the surgery when you start your rehab. But whether it's the first time it's happened or the third, you just have to go. That's the only way to think about it, you have to go. There's just one option for you and that's to think about getting back on the pitch, you have to do everything you can to get there and that's what I did.

"After the surgery of course I had some difficult moments, when you have to train alone again and you're in pain, but I had just one option and that was to get back on the pitch.

"You can’t be too negative and think it could happen again. Of course, maybe you think that every now and then at home, but on the pitch you just have to play football. You just have to make sure you do everything to prevent it. Eat well, sleep well, do your exercises, make sure you’re properly rested when you get on the pitch, keep focused and concentrated. It can happen to anybody, and for me the risk is probably greater than for others but you can't blame yourself. That's the most important thing."

@RomaThings: It's been suggested that Roma lack a winning mentality, do you agree and how do we change that?

"No. No. I won't even address that."

@johntotti22: Do you dream of being a future captain of Roma?

"No, I don't dream about it because we have our captain, and De Rossi's the vice captain and Florenzi is the third. They are Roma guys who were born in Rome and live in Rome and have played their entire life at Roma, so I just want to be back on the pitch and be an important player for the team and that's what I dream about."

@Sccer4Ever: What's been your favorite moment since coming back this season?

"I think the game against Genoa, to start with the team and play 90 minutes, get the three points and play a real match was fantastic. I came back two months before but it was 3-0 so I could come in during the last few minutes, but at Genoa it was a very important game that we had to win, but the coach trusted me to play the full 90 minutes and after the game I was still full of energy. I felt like I could play another game right after that one! That felt so good, that was what I worked for the last two years. For that game. Now I want to continue."

@Dillon1933: What was the most difficult phase of your recovery?

"Right after the operation when you can't even walk, that's the most frustrating part. When you finally are able to train on the pitch or in the gym or on the bike, then you feel a little like a player again, but when you can't do these things and only do exercises to learn how to bend and stand on your leg again, then you feel stupid. I had difficult moments of course, but I had just one focus and one motivation and that was to get back on the pitch."

@Vasso_Cenation: Where do you find the motivation to get through these injuries, is it family, is it yourself?

"It's everything. My family is so supportive, my girlfriend, the Roma fans, the directors here, the staff, the players, everybody supported me so much. Of course I want to come back for myself, but everyone made it easier for me. For a player like me that is unbelievable, I didn't imagine that I would get so much support from the club and the fans.

"Even President Pallotta has been so supportive. It's unbelievable because he could've said 'we need to sell him because he hasn't played for us in two years and we can't support him anymore'. He could say that but he didn't. He's always positive and that's why when he texted me before and after my operations I just responded 'I want to repay you and the club on the pitch'. That's the only way I can repay the president and the rest of the club for all their support, to get back on the pitch and help the team win games."

@Alevt86: How do you feel with this comeback compared to earlier comebacks? You've comeback from injury before, do you feel different this time?

"I feel stronger yes, I feel better. I don't want to go into details about operations and things but after the surgery the first time I came back and played a little but didn't feel the same. Now I feel better, of course I have to be careful with what I say now, but I feel good and that's the most important thing.

"I want to stay that way and continue because I'm not at 100% or at the level where other midfielders are. I'm not there yet but I'm looking forward to getting there."

@pass_aa: Who is the best midfielder you've ever played with?

"It's difficult to say just one name. I'll pick a few, as it's difficult. I would say De Rossi, Pjanic and Wesley Sneijder but it's difficult, as I've played with so many great players. Nainggolan is another great player. I'm just happy that I can play with these guys; it makes it easier for me to play well with players like this around me."

@romana_elite: What do you think about the division of the curva? Having the fans back at the last home match of the season surely helped the team, so the players must want the fans back in the stadium.

"Of course, the fans can add six or nine points because in difficult games sometimes the fans can lift you, they give you more energy and there has to be a difference between home and away games. Now there are always fans at away games but with the curva, as I noticed in my first year, it's a special feeling when you get on the pitch and notice the supporters there, so when it's empty it's different.

"That's so important for us, and I know why they're not coming but I hope they return for the first game next season and stay there all the way through, because it's so important for us to have the support of our fans."