The central pitch is obviously Zaniolo. Despite Napoli, the challenge in Spalletti and the renewed expectations of the Champions League. But José Mourinho, who is back at a press conference almost three months after the last time (8 November, before Sassuolo v Roma) is a coach full load, considering also the voices coming from England who would like him eager to return soon to work in London, in particular in that Chelsea where he has already been twice. And the first argument could only be him, Nicolò Zaniolo. “Whether there will be disciplinary measures or not I do not know this – says the coach of Roma -. Unfortunately I’m right and it seems that what I said after Spezia can happen. And I say unfortunately because Nicolò has been saying for a month that he wants to leave, that he no longer wants to play with this shirt or train with this group. After the Spezia I left the day off and optional Tuesday: all those who were on the bench and many who played came and these are the players that one wants: even if I do not play, I know that the team will sooner or later need me. That’s why I say unfortunately, because the ideal situation is to have happy players. I had a feeling that Nicolò would still be here on February 1st and I think it will happen. I’m sure he’s just not part of the Naples expedition. And now I think of the guys who want to come and fight with me for the club and for the fans”.

NAPLES – And then my thoughts fly to Naples and the challenge of tomorrow. And Mou already crowns him now. ” Congratulations, the title is his, he has already won deservedly. It’s the strongest team, it has a good coach, great players, a company that has made a great market. I don’t think that Milan and Inter, who are at 12-13 points, can get 6-7 consecutive wins. But we will not go there to celebrate their title, but to try to win the game” With a formation already certain, so much so that Mou gives the conference: “Rui will play, the three central, Zalewski to the right and Spinazzola to the left, then Cristante, Matic and Pellegrini in the midst and Dybala and Abraham in front”. Clinging, of course, to Dtybala’s great flair. “Napoli has many great players, but none at the level of Dybala. And there is one, Kim, that I wanted at Tottenham: I talked to him a couple of times, he wanted to come, but it was ten million and we offered 5”.

FUTURE AND SINGLES – Then Mou slips on something else, on his future and on the voices that want him back in Premier from next season. Unless Roma have the financial strength to build a truly ambitious team. ” That’s a question society has to ask me when it thinks it’s the right time. Maturity helps to be balanced, less selfish and more social. My future? I don’t know. I’m sure there’s nothing José wants in regards to the Chelsea rumors. I live day after day, when society wants to talk to me I’m ready to do it. Today I think only of Roma and not of the future”. So the singles: “Shomurodov will be one player less: he needs to play, maybe in 6 months he will come back here. We certainly have one less option now, but I did not expect anything more from the market because the situation of financial fair play is clear. I expect more difficulties, yes, because now the competitive structure changes, with more commitments than before. Karsdorp? He’ll stay out as long as he wants to stay out, but it won’t take long to get back inside. Someone here was really a liar, leaving an image of a technician and a club that we didn’t deserve”. Wijnaldum and Smalling: “For Gini time helps, even if he does not train with the team in competitive situations and every 15 days he does the controls. I don’t know when he’ll be back, maybe it will take 7-10 days to be with the team and 2-3 weeks to play a few minutes. But it works well, without delay. Smalling is playing very well, the renewal situation is open and I have never talked to him about it. But my impression is that he wants to stay. I think we can agree. Actually, we have to find out. Roma need him and for Chris there is no better place to be happier than here”.