Roma coach Paulo Fonseca is delighted with their swoop for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.
The England international has joined on a season-long loan.
Before Sunday's dramatic draw with Lazio, with the clash finishing 1-1, Fonseca spelt out why he was so eager to bring Smalling to the capital. The Portuguese coach, who left Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of last season to take the Giallorosso job, admits he spoke personally with Smalling to help get the deal over the line.
Explaining why Roma moved so decisively for the United man, Fonseca, quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.com, told gathered reporters, "We were looking for an expert footballer in defence, he has many games with Manchester United and he has the right characteristics.
"For us, he will add quality because he is fast and aggressive."
Fonseca says he was happy to speak with Smalling about his plans for Roma - and the player - before pen was put to paper. The coach admitting he knows he has a gift for persuading players to join him.
"What did I tell him to convince him? The players like my voice and find it persuasive. This seems to be decisive (laughs). These interviews go through the explanation of my way of playing and how players can become important to us. We have to convey the reasons for our choice, that's all."
Fonseca included Smalling in his squad for Sunday's draw, though Roma's new No6 spent the game on the bench.
Roma went ahead through Aleksandar Kolarov's penalty before Luis Alberto cancelled out their lead for Lazio.
- updated September 2
