Mancini: An honour to represent this club

Defender Gianluca Mancini became the latest new Roma signing to face the media, as he sat down for his first press conference at Trigoria.

Read everything the Italy international had to say...

From a tactical standpoint, what has Paulo Fonseca asked of you in the last few days? Which team-mate has impressed you the most in training?

"The coach has spoken to me a bit about the tactics that he wants us to implement on the pitch, particularly in terms of our defence. He wants us to play with a high line, press and play our game from the back by moving the ball quickly. So many team-mates have impressed me because we have a strong squad. I knew [Aleksandar] Kolarov was a fine player from playing against him, but he's impressed me even more since I've been here."

Although you're very young, do you feel you've reached a level of technical and competitive maturity?

"No, I'm very young and still have a long way to go. I'm just starting out. I had a good season last year, but there's plenty of time ahead for me to improve alongside my team-mates and new coach."

Which areas do you feel you need to improve the most?

"There are so many areas: my pace and man marking. I have attributes that I feel comfortable with and others that I know I really need to improve."

Having joined the club just after [Daniele] De Rossi's departure, what does his career mean to you as a 23-year-old?

"I don't need to tell the story of De Rossi's career. I've been following him since I was ten years old. He won the World Cup and achieved some wonderful things. Being at the club where he spent his sporting career makes me proud and want to honour the shirt."

You were close to joining Roma in January, so why did you end up staying in Bergamo?

"There were plenty of talks in January, but nothing concrete. Moving clubs halfway through the campaign wasn't my intention out of respect for Atalanta. I wanted to stay there and finish the season with the club."

[Leonardo] Spinazzola told us that Fonseca reminds him of [Gian Piero] Gasperini. As someone who knows him, would you say they have much in common?

"I've had just five training sessions here, but I can say that I've also seen something since the start. They both have their own footballing ideas. Gasperini asks for one thing, while Fonseca asks for another. In terms of intensity and physical exertion, however, I have noticed many common areas."

Did you have any doubts about moving from Atalanta to Roma?

"I had two wonderful years in Bergamo. When my agent called me to talk about Roma, I didn't have any doubts. I saw it as a source of pride and a way of being paid back for all the sacrifices that I made when I started out."

Players that leave Atalanta to join other clubs often find it difficult. Have you thought about this? Does Gasperini guide the players who then lose their way when they go elsewhere?

"Gasperini prepares you as well as he can. We were a well-drilled unit whenever we took to the pitch. I don't know how it will go for me; I just know I'll give my all for this shirt and to get good results."

What does Fonseca ask of his defenders?

"I've not had many training sessions yet, but he asks us to press and play with a high line without fear. In Italy, we're used to always dropping deep, but he asks us to keep a high line. I'll understand it better as the days go by."

Have you called Gasperini yet to tell him what he's missing out on here at Roma?

"No, we've spoken just to wish each other the best of luck."

What do you like the most about Fonseca's game philosophy? Do you feel you have the right personality to earn a starting berth right away?

"What I like about the coach is that he isn't scared to keep the ball on the deck. I like the aggressive and aerial side of football as well, given that my game is suited to it. There has to be pressure in the football world, but the right type. I do the best job in the world and play for a fantastic club, so the pressure is purely positive."

Is the change from a back three to a back four difficult or is it just an urban myth?

"I was lucky enough to go from a back three to a back four with the national team, so I'm used to playing in a back four. There might be some initial problems, but it's down to me to understand what the coach wants."

Who's your ideal defensive partner?

"They're all good. Juan Jesus and [Federico] Fazio are top players who I can learn so much from by watching them."