It’s been a hectic season for Inter’s new signing, Roberto Gagliardini. The surprising start at Atalanta, then the interest of the big teams, after that the arrival at Inter and all the speculations about the price tag of an unexperienced player. However, ever since he’s wore the Nerazzurri jersey, he has hardly left the field. These last months for Gagliardini have been great with Inter and the youngster had proved many wrong. To understand Roberto’s emotions and ambitions, FCInterNews interviewed his agent, Beppe Rice:
Despite very little experience, Gagliardini seems to play at a very high level and he’s earned himself a starting position with Inter
“Roberto is a great class player, has an immense talent. He’s doing very well, like the rest of Inter. He is able to balance the team.”
A few were expecting an important impact from Roberto when the transfer became official, did you expect him to do well?
“The qualities of Gagliardini surprise only those who do not know him. He has a great personality and I was sure that he would do well right away. Only those who did not observe him could have some doubts about him.”
Gagliardini exploded recently, only 22 years, and has experienced some unfortunate years in Serie B between Cesena, Spezia and Vicenza. What are the reasons?
“When he was in the Atalanta’s youth system, he was widely considered one of the best prospects. Then in the experiences in Serie B, he had some physical problems, he grew muscularly and for a boy with a structure like his, this can create some discomfort muscle. Although Atalanta and Percassi family have always been convinced of its potential, they decided to bring him back to Bergamo despite injuries.”
Now Gagliardini is an Inter player. He’s young, and Italian, can he become the new Inter icon like Zanetti?
“I have confessed several times that he can make a career like Zanetti at Inter, and that is his goal. For his age and talent he must have this goal in mind, he has all it takes to make it.”
Let’s step back a few months. When Inter became interested in him for the first time?
“In November, for the first time in Bergamo, Ausilio came to see him play. He was the first to be interested in him.”
Even before Juventus?
“Before anyone else.”
Who has been carried on negotiations for his transfer?
“I have always spoken with Ausilio, I always kept in touch with him. Only at the end I had the opportunity to know Steven Zhang.”
What impression did you have on the Suning Group?
“A company that wants to build a major project. The project then has convinced Gagliardini to accept Inter’s proposal.”
Already at Inter, the next step is to become part the national team. Any future plans for him?
“Ventura has had great courage to summon him when practically no one knew him. He, as well as Gasperini and now Pioli, are fortune to have a youngster like Gagliardini. The coach was one of the first to realize the potential of Roberto and that’s why he called him. With a coach like him, you can only grow and do well, then it’s up to him to prove he can become a leader of the national team.”
Gasperini and Pioli have bet strong on him.
“It’s something that I want to emphasize on. These coaches that give up space for young talents, even without experience behind them – It is fortunate to work with coaches of this kind.”
We step forward now: World Cup 2018, will we see Gagliardini?
“I expect and I hope so. It just depends on him.”
Source: FCInterNews
