Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi has defended underfire AS Roma centre-half Simon Kjaer.

Rossi, who bossed the centre-back at Palermo, has underlined that the international has quality.

"He's the best defender that I have ever coached," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.

"He has exceptional qualities and he's unbeatable in one-on-one situations.

"You can have bad seasons, but the player can't be doubted because he is an element who offers guarantees.

"He has quality, he's flexible and, importantly, he's on first name terms with the ball."