Cagliari coach Eusebio Di Francesco is hoping Radja Nainggolan will add ‘experience and personality’ to his side after rejoining on loan from Inter.
The former Belgian international returned to Sardinia for the remainder of the 2020-21 season last week and is now ready for a fourth separate spell with the Rossoblu.
Nainggolan made just five appearances under Antonio Conte for Inter this season and accused the Inter boss of ‘hurting’ him with his treatment in an interview with Corriere dello Sport on Tuesday.
“Radja is a midfielder and he has to think like this when attacking and defending, even if now he doesn’t have the fitness that allows him to have 90 minutes in his legs,” Di Francesco remarked at his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A clash with Benevento.
Asked on the role he could play in his side, the former Sassuolo boss explained: “He could be a starter or come on during the match, we’ll see.”
Di Francesco proceeded to admit that Nainggolan was a player that he had wanted at the team since the start of the season and is happy to now have him at his disposal.
“Radja is combative, he’s a player I wanted from the start of the season but I’m happy he’s arrived now. I hope he brings his experience and personality into the dressing room.”
Nainggolan was an unused substitute when Inter won 3-1 at the Sardegna Arena last month, at which point he was already expected to rejoin Cagliari in January.
