Kone: Staying at Roma will not impact career progression | OneFootball

Roma midfielder Manu Kone insists that staying at Roma will not impact his career development, despite reporters in France suggesting that he may want to leave in order to improve his prospects.

Kone had been linked with a move away from Roma towards the end of the summer transfer window, specifically to Inter after their pursuit of Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman fell through.

The Giallorossi midfielder, who will not be involved in Champions League action this season, insists, however, that he is happy to stay on with Roma and repay the faith that they showed in him this time last year.

What Kone said about Roma, Champions League needs and Gasperini

WALSALL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Manu Kone of AS Roma looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and AS Roma at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on August 06, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

While speaking in his pre-match press conference with the France national team, Kone was asked whether he feels he needs to move on and be playing regular Champions League football if he wants to progress in his career.

He replied: “Everything is fine at Roma. I’m very happy to play for this club because it’s a team that has shown a lot of confidence in me.

“I’m not afraid to say it: They were one of the few teams that really showed faith in me during the transfer window. They bought me a year ago, and I repaid that confidence with my performances and by fighting for the team. So, I’m very happy.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Manu Kone of AS Roma during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and AS Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Kone also took a moment to reflect on what he described as a ‘tough’ season for the Giallorossi last term, which saw three different head coaches take charge of the team in Daniele De Rossi, Ivan Juric and Claudio Ranieri.

“Let’s say that it was a challenging season last year. We missed out on the Champions League, but we’re in the Europa League this season and have a new coach.

“I hope that we will do even better with a very experienced coach, and hope that he will take us to the highest level. That will also help me progress because it’s an important year. That’s it.”