El Shaarawy: I want to write another important chapter here

Here's what the returning No. 92 had to say at his press conference...

You’ve been playing in a different league recently, while you have also just had to quarantine with Covid-19. When do you think you will be ready to start games in Serie A again?

“I haven’t played for a few months, not since being with the national team. I’ve been training alone, I’ve been doing everything I can to stay in good shape. Now I will need a little bit more time to get back to top condition, but we have developed a programme along with the fitness coaches, and every day we stay updated based on how I’m feeling and doing. I have a lot of desire to get going again. I can’t wait to wear this shirt again.”

Have you spoken with the coach about how you might fit into his attacking trio?

“Yes, we had the chance to talk on the first day I was here. The attack isn’t completely unusual to me. You can move out wide in order to cut back inside. In that way the style of play isn’t actually that different from how it was with [Eusebio] Di Francesco. I’ve made it clear that I am absolutely willing to play anywhere in the attack.”

There is a lot of competition in your position – is that a motivation or a cause for concern?

“It’s never something to be worried about – especially when you are playing at the top level. It gives you more motivation to keep on improving. I’ve been playing football since I was young, I’ve always had to compete for opportunities with great players. The more competition for places there is, the more quality there is and therefore the better your chances are of winning.”

You watched the win over Hellas Verona alongside Edin Dzeko – how did he seem to you?

“Yes, I found him to be calm, happy. I was happy to see him again, along with my other old teammates.”

What will be the best way for Dzeko to find his best again?

“I think we all know what his best qualities are. He’s a player with a lot of talent, a big personality on the pitch too. He will find the right path to get back to being an important player for this team.”

Ignoring the financial side of things, was your time in China filled with more positives or negatives?

“It was a very different experience, one disrupted by the pandemic. The first six months I was going from the club to the national team and back again. But I won a trophy there – my first trophy as a key player on the pitch – and that will always be something I take with me. But then after the league finished we didn’t play for almost seven months, we just trained. That’s not easy for any footballer.

"But now I’m back at the club I wanted to play for again, with the European Championships around the corner too. I’m pleased.”

What differences have you noticed so far, since being back?

“I’m really pleased to be back in this club. It was a really positive reunion. As I’ve already said, it really is like I’ve never been away. I made a lot of friends here, it was more than just a chapter in my football career. There are so many friends at Trigoria I have met again.

"I was pleased with the faith the chairman, the general manager and the coach have shown in me. They showed that from the start. Now I want to repay that faith – and I hope to start doing that as soon as possible.”

Since your last game for the club a lot has changed. Stadiums are empty and the team plays in a different style too…

“I don’t think the style of play has really changed a huge amount. We still play with two wider attacking players, who cut in to join the play in behind Edin. Clearly, we have missed having fans at the stadium. I hope they are able to return as soon as it is possible.”

What does it mean for you to have the ownership here at Trigoria all the time?

“It means a lot both for the team and for the overall atmosphere. It’s an extra boost for all of us. I’ve noticed a real availability from all of them, from the general manager to the chairman. That’s something positive. They are at our side, doing their work very professionally and very diligently.”

Why didn’t this deal get done last summer?

“It was a bit of a difficult situation, lots of waiting, and sometimes the timing just doesn’t quite work out. But now it has all worked out for the best and I’m happy to be here again – I can’t wait to write another chapter with this club.”

What do you make of Roma this season, and how they are doing in the league?

“This is a team that in recent years has always been aiming at the Champions League spots – and often even higher than that. There has always been that ability to finish high up the table. This season the league is competitive, tight, and a lot of teams have strengthened.

"But there’s a good mood here, a squad where everyone wants to help each other out. And that’s crucial for when you need to get through the tough times, as and when they arrive. Everything is easier when we are supporting each other.

"We need to take things game-by-game, because that’s the only way to achieve anything. We have the target of qualifying for the Champions League. Personally, I want to start as well as I can and earn my spot at the Euros.”

What did you miss about Rome and Roma?

“I’ve had the chance to reconnect with all the people that I’ve met over the years here. Whenever I’ve been back here [since leaving], I’ve always felt so much affection from those around me, I've felt that people are supportive of me. I realised that as well when I went to the Europa League game last February, with the fans around me. That’s another motivation for me to hit the ground running again.”