Nainggolan: De Rossi better than Mourinho for Roma, Tonali and Barella best Italy players | OneFootball

Radja Nainggolan says Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Barella are the best Italian players but insists Roma owners were ‘crazy’ to sack Daniele De Rossi: ‘He had done more than José Mourinho.’

The former Inter and Roma midfielder spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of a Serie A meeting between his ex clubs at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening.

“Inter are the best team [in Serie A]. They play good football and have great players. Even those on the bench are practically starters. They are superior to Roma,” said the ex-Belgium international.

Does this mean Roma have no chance today?

“No, because they play at home and have the best possible support,” noted Nainggolan.

“With these fans, there’s an extra push. They are building a new squad with new players.”

Barella has returned from an injury for Inter: is he the best Italian player?

“Alongside Tonali. I think the ex-Milan player is even more determined, but Nicolò is among the best.”

Roma fans have booed their captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has also had a tough time with Italy’s national team, receiving a red card during the October break against Belgium.

“I also had the armband with Totti and De Rossi in front of me. I had a strong personality and never suffered negativity around me,” said Nainggolan.

Nainggolan: De Rossi better than Mourinho for Roma, Tonali and Barella best Italy players

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi (R) is congratulated by former captain Francesco Totti during his farewell to Roma after 18 years at his home-town club after the Italian Serie A football match between Roma and Parma on May 26, 2019 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

“Pellegrini is intelligent and is a good player. He should not overthink about what people say.”

Roma sacked De Rossi last month to hire Ivan Juric.

“It was crazy to sack him. He had done more than Mourinho,” noted the ex-Belgium international.

“He’s young and in love with the environment. They kicked him out without giving him time to introduce the new players. He didn’t deserve it.”

Nainggolan feels that Roma’s decision had nothing to do with poor results.

“There’s more behind it. I think about Zalewski. He said it was not his decision to freeze him out. Many others would have said something different following the club’s orders. He has remained true, and he must be proud of it.”

Do Roma owners Friedkin regret their decisions?

“They are businessmen. What do they know about football? I don’t think much,” said Nainggolan.

“They want to make money; they buy players but don’t do it wisely. You stay in the football world if you have competence and passion, not if you only think about the money.”

Nevertheless, Roma kept all its best players last summer and invested over €100m in new signings. Walter Sabatini brought Nainggolan to Roma in 2014.

“He was the most competent director I’ve ever had,” said the ex-Roma midfielder.

“He knows everything about me. What wasn’t the norm for the others was what I did every day. Do you know how it finished? He called me into his office, we smoked together, and he reproached me, cuddling me. This was Walter Sabatini.”

Lastly, Nainggolan spoke about his relationship with ultras following recent arrests in Milann and showed no regret for not winning any trophy in his career.

“I played in Cagliari, I know all the ultras, and I used to go out drinking with them. I think it’s hypocrisy. Where’s the problem? I respect those who respect me. This is my parameter; I don’t care if they are fans or not.

“You don’t play football for the cups, but to be happy. You must feel well as a man. The rest comes after. Life is more important than football. Would I have been happier in a big and successful club? The answer is No.”