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Vitale: EXCLUSIVE - Chelsea Radja deal WAS on; Perisic for Man Utd, Liverpool; Why Roma anti-Raiola

During his last press conference, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti declared Radja Nainggolan one of a kind and was asked about this comparison, between him and Paul Pogba.

He agreed and said that Radja is a complete player, that he could cost €100m. But, I don't think he will go away next season. He was close to Chelsea last summer, really close (Antonio Conte was very pushy with the player), clubs were in talks and Roma chose an intermediary to reach an agreement with the Blues, but Radja said 'no', no to a bigger wage, no to a more powerful club and no to the Premier League.

It was a life choice and if we know something about Radja, it is that he won't change ideas no matter what. Also because Roma fans and Spalletti would be angry with James Pallotta, the president.

Nainggolan is not a disposable one.


DE VRIJ NOT SUITED TO ENGLISH FOOTBALL

Stefan de Vrij for Chelsea or Manchester United? I'm not so sure.

When De Vrij arrived in Serie A, he had a big reputation. Then he had an injury that probably delayed his growth, which is still in the making right now.

This season he's playing better and is growing, but if we had to make a comparison between him and the top defenders of Serie A, they would probably best him. He's technical, but he lacks the physicality required to play in the Premier League, where the pace is superior. He has already had five injuries since his arrival to Lazio. Certainly, he is still young, but I think he won't be the first choice for the Premier League's top clubs.


WHY ROMA UNHAPPY WITH RAIOLA

Most of Roma fans don't trust Mino Raiola, because he used to speak out against Roma and the chairman James Pallotta. Probably, it is because of the small number of good players he's brought to Roma.

For example, Walter Sabatini took players like Urby Emanuelson and Ismail H'Maidat (€3m), he tried to bring to RomaGregory van der Wiel (they couldn't find an agreement) and to move Kostas Manolas, last summer (he's very close to Olympiakos board).

Moreover Sabatini said no to Paul Pogba...in the end, we can say that Raiola and Roma do not have a good connection. I think he's one of the best and most powerful football agents, not to mention one of the richest. He can almost do what he wants. Personally, I don't like the fact that agents and players have all this power.


PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS WANT PERISIC

The future of Inter Milan's aces will depend on the results that Stefano Pioli's team will achieve at the end of the season. Many top clubs are interested in Inter's top players, like Mauro Icardi, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic himself.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in the Croatian, because of his physical (he's very quick on the left side) and technical qualities. At the moment Perisic is on fire, he scored thrice in the last three matches. Certainly Pioli wouldn't want to see him go, but Inter has financial issues and the rest of the season will be crucial.

He could be sacrificed to make transfers. At the moment, it's hard to say when it will be.


SCAMACCA CAN STILL MAKE IT

Roma fans were disappointed when Gianluca Scamacca left the club, especially because of the way he went away. He was considered, and still is, one of the most talented youngsters in Italian football.

He's a '99 and if it is true that he still plays for PSV Eindhoven's academy, his future is bright. If he won't lose his mind, and of course it's possible (in football this can happen..), he will be a top striker. Probably he only needs the benefit from the trust of some club who would seriously bet on him.

18 years old, 1.95 cm and a stylish football style. He needs to focus and to keep on fighting to emerge and become a star.

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Matteo Vitale
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Matteo Vitale

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