Daniele De Rossi is a really interesting character, the combative midfielder has been present in the engine room of the Roma midfield since he broke into their first team in 2001.
He has never shown any interest in leaving and always looked as if he would emulate rubber faced midfielder Matt Le Tissier and be a one club man…got to be the first time Le Tissier and De Rossi have been mentioned in the same breath.
He has for a long time been a target of Manchester United however, but their attempts to sign him have always failed mostly on the grounds that he has had no interest in leaving Roma the side he joined when he was 17.
In recent weeks however, the international has come out with some interesting comments that may suggest his time in Serie A is coming to an end, speaking after his dismissal for elbowing an opposition player in the Champions League, he said:
“They used to treat me as one of their own, they would tell me to throw in another elbow, but now the wind has changed. Something here at Roma is changing…For a year and a half, the things I’ve heard that have given me the most pride have come from outside Rome. I have had moments at a low ebb, in which I wasn’t at my best. Do I feel wounded?…Yes, but I don’t want to play the victim, I don’t want people to come and tell me how great I am. The wound will heal itself. Then, everyone makes his own assessments.”.
Never let it be said that quotes from footballers make no sense! Here in the Tavern we think De Rossi could have not rabbited on as much and maybe just said what he really felt, but what can we interpret from this ramble. Well what is apparent is that the bond between player and club is not what it once was and that will encourage Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Daily Star today suggests that the Manchester United hierarchy are treating this as a come and get me plea. They claim that the Old Trafford side are unlikely to want to break the £20million mark and believe they can convince the club to sell for around £18million.
It may not be as clear cut as all that however, former Roma striker Ruggiero Rizzitelli has said:
“His dream is to remain at Roma with the backing of the new owners and the promise of a strong team to challenge.”.
It does seem a fair assessment that should Roma get themselves in a position to challenge for major honours again that De Rossi could rediscover his love for the club that he has spent more than 10 years with. If that investment however doesn’t come and Roma continue on the track they are on, the snapper could see his frustration grow thus paving an exit from the side.
Whether this comes to anything, remains to be seen, it has been pretty clear for a while that Manchester United were keen to bring the player to the Premier League, the stumbling black was always the players love for Roma, but if that is crumbling, who knows what could happen?
For more of my thoughts, and all the latest transfer rumours, follow me on twitter @soccercityjoe!
