‘There’s so much noise’ – Jose Mourinho dismisses hype and talk of Roma fighting for Serie A title
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 13/08/2022 at 15:07 GMT
Jose Mourinho has dismissed the notion that his Roma side will be involved in the Serie A title race this season ahead of their opening match at Salernitana on Sunday. The Portuguese was left frustrated by the hype surrounding his side following an impressive transfer window that saw the likes of Paulo Dybala and Gini Wijnaldum arrive, and pointed out that they have only spent 7 million euros.
'I like to win, so does Mourinho' - new signing Dybala presented by Roma
Jose Mourinho has brushed away suggestions that his Roma side will compete for the 2022/23 Serie A title, insisting that their target remains improving on last season’s sixth-place finish.
The capital club have had an impressive summer transfer window, strengthening their squad with the arrivals of Paulo Dybala, Georginio Wijnaldum and Nemanja Matic.
That business, coming off the back of last season’s Europa Conference League triumph, has led some pundits to tip the Giallorossi to fight for their first title since 2000/01.
However, talk of a Scudetto challenge left Mourinho irritated as he faced the media ahead of his side’s opening league game at Salernitana on Sunday.
“We will try to improve on sixth place, but it amazes me how much people talk about us, unlike the others,” Mourinho said.
“For you, Roma is a contender for the Scudetto, but only Sampdoria and Lecce have spent less than us.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2022/07/20/3418962-69764413-2560-1440.jpg)
Dybala signs for Roma as Mourinho makes another sumer transfer
“Inter and Milan were a good distance away from us and they have improved their squads. There is so much noise around us. Lazio spent €39m – are they also contenders?
“Something unreal is being said about us. Our Scudetto, which we already won, was the love of the fans.
“We have never spoken about the title, we have never spoken about massive investments, but only about time.”
Roma have spent just €7m on transfer fees this summer, on Lille right-back Zeki Celik.
Dybala, Matic and goalkeeper Mile Svilar were brought in on free transfers, while Wjnaldum arrived from Paris Saint-Germain on loan with the option to buy.
However, Mourinho still isn’t fully content.
“The club must be applauded for this transfer window. But if they ask me if I need more players to have a season without fear, I would say yes,” he said.
“The market isn’t closed, unfortunately. The season starts and we play three or four games before the market closes, obviously that is something I don’t like.
“Frustration is too strong a term. We have signed five players who are useful for the improvement of our squad.
“[Henrikh] Mkhitaryan and [Jordan] Veretout, who were two starters, have left, but to say I’m frustrated would be too much.
“We’ve signed five players for €7m, and five players of this quality for €7m; something very good has been done.”
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement