Roma sporting director has deflected criticism aimed at a number of the club’s summer arrivals and insisted that former Barcelona star Dani Alves also required time to settle in before becoming a global success.
The Spaniard has come in for questioning after a perceived slow start by the likes of Justin Kluivert and Bryan Cristante, who arrived in big money moves from Ajax and Atalanta respectively.
However, having performed a similar role at Sevilla, Monchi brought in Alves from Bahia in 2002 and stuck by the Brazilian after a shaky start, before watching him move on to Barcelona and become one of the best right-backs in the world.
“Not everyone has the same bedding in period,” Monchi warned in an interview with Sky Sport Italia ahead of the Giallorossi’s 2-1 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.
“Kluivert suffered an injury and must understand that playing for Roma is not easy. Cristante had a very good season last year, but the level of expectation has risen here.
“I have confidence in both of them and take the example of Dani Alves, who needed a year and a half to become the player he is now, whilst others like [Barcelona and ex-Sevilla midfielder Ivan] Rakitic succeeded immediately. The same will happen here.”
Kluivert has scored once in nine appearances across Serie A and the Champions League for Roma, whilst Cristante has netted a single goal in 13 games.
