Belotti: I always focus on what I can contribute to the group

You’ve really been welcomed by the fans – what impact has that had on you?

“The reception from the fans so far has really meant a lot to me – because it thinks it means my enthusiasm and desire to come here to Rome has come across and they’ve appreciated that. Despite the fact that I have not played a lot so far, I am still trying to make sure I contribute in both those appearances off the bench and when I do start.

“At the same time, I think a lot about the group and I try to help out even when I don’t play. Because I know that in a squad, with so many matches and so many players, there’s always the need for an occasional word of encouragement here, or a talk there. So I try to be as useful as possible in whatever situation I might find myself in.”

Could we see you play alongside Tammy Abraham? Is that something you’ve tried in training?

“We always train based on what the coach thinks is necessary. He’s the one who prepares the matches and everything else, with a clear focus on the next match. Our job as players is to make sure we are ready for that.

“There has only been a small spell of one match where we have played together, against Helsinki. But if the coach does make that call then we know what we need to do. Because it’s something we have worked on in training and it’s an extra option for us.

“But, I’ll say again, these are choices that are down to the coach and for us, whether we play with one up top tomorrow or two, we just have to make sure we are ready.”

If you were to play together, how do you think your playing styles would align?

“I think that’s a question you should ask the coach, not me! I think Tammy and I have different characteristics and we play in a different style. But when you face certain sides you might play in a different way compared to some others. So I think that’s more a topic for the coach and something only he can answer right now.”

How do you look at that competition for a place with Tammy?

“It’s a good thing. I know Tammy is a great striker, an England international. As I’ve always said, it’s a chance for me to test myself. I see it as a challenge, because I know that if I want to play then I have to show what I can do in every training session and every chance I get.

“Knowing that there is another great striker there, then I know I need to push myself further and further. That gives me motivation and hunger – because when you reach a certain level, a top level like this, then you need to make sure you do more and more.”

Will we see a different Belotti now, after two weeks where you’ve had a chance to train hard? Did you need that extra block of training in the international break?

“I needed that training block a lot. I stopped for a few extra days [ in the summer] because I thought it might be the best thing overall for me and my body. Considering I then started pre-season later than my teammates, I knew that I would need a bit of extra time to get in the best shape.

“Since the first day here, whenever there has been the opportunity to do extra work in training then I have taken it. Which is what I also did during the international break. So, yes, right now I feel good. But the real test is always out on the pitch, words don’t mean that much. If the results can be seen out on the pitch then that means everything is going well.”

What does it mean to you to be coached by someone like Jose Mourinho?

“It’s an honour for me. For him his career, his trophies and everything else speak for themselves. But the thing that is most striking about him is it seems like every day he has a stronger winning mentality than even the day before. I think that is one of his biggest strengths, and that’s why he has trained great clubs and great players during his career.

“Finding myself here working with him can only be a positive for me, because he can give me so much advice with which to improve – and insights from all the great forward he has coached too. So if there is something that can work for me as well then it’s only right that I take it on board and work on it.”