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The Turkish defender completed a move to the Giallorossi last week.
Read everything the 22-year-old had to say below.
“Roma has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” Mert Cetin began.
“With time you will get to know me and on the pitch I will try to show the quality I have.”
Did you speak to Cengiz Under before you joined?
“Yes, I already spoke to Cengiz before I came here. He told me just how big a club like this. The fact he is here will help me a lot even if I cannot speak Italian – although I will start learning straight away. He’s a friend, a compatriot, and that will be a big thing for me – both on and off the pitch.”
What has the coach said to you? Do you think you will be able to fight for a starting spot?
“This is a very tough league, perhaps the hardest in the world but certainly one of the best to help a defender get better at his craft. Fonseca has spoken to me about a lot of things, things I will keep in mind. He told me to play with a lot of spirit and determination. I feel good, I feel like I can reach the level required to compete. Perhaps I will need a period to adjust and then you will see what I can do.”
How would you describe yourself as a player? You said Sergio Ramos is an inspiration for you?
Sergio Ramos is my hero but I’m Mert Certin, I think in a few years I will make myself a bit better known. I’m pretty aggressive on the pitch – I like Ramos, he is one of my idols but I am only thinking about carving out my own reputation.”
What do you think your strengths are, and what about your weaknesses?
“My strengths are my speed and building out from the back. There are definitely a lot of areas I can still improve in, though, and from this perspective the Italian league is the best place to be. During the season I will be working hard to improve. People say I have a lot of potential and I will try to make the most of it.”
Do you think you will establish yourself at Roma, or perhaps go out on loan for a period?
“I signed for Roma and I am now a Roma player – I’m not thinking about anything else. I will need a bit of time to get up to speed, and if I need to wait then I will wait – but I think I will be able to prove myself enough to get a chance.”
There are now a few Turkish players in Italy – do you think Turkish football is entering a new golden period?
“It is a good period for Turkish football, there are a lot of compatriots who are now playing in Italy and throughout Europe. The new generation has shown it has great talent and the ability to go from Turkey to an international level.”
Have people already spoken to you about the Roma fans?
“Cengiz has spoken a lot about the passion of the fans here, and how in Italy football is talked about everywhere. I can’t wait to get out there on the pitch and play in front of the fans – giving everything I’ve got and showing them what I can do.”
Is it true that Fenerbahce and Galatasaray were both after you? Why did you choose Roma?
“Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are the biggest clubs in Turkey – it’s true that they were interested in me but my dream has always been to play in one of the biggest leagues in Europe. Serie A is a top-level league and will allow me to improve a lot.”
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