Baldini dismisses De Rossi speculation

Franco Baldini has dismissed suggestions Roma will sell Daniele De Rossi and said he expects the midfielder to stay with the club.

Rumours during the summer transfer window linked Manchester City with a move for the 29-year-old, before the player himself released a statement pledging his loyalty to the club, with those sentiments echoed by the capital club’s general manager.

“De Rossi will play with us in the future, we won’t sell him,” Baldini told reporters.

The 52-year-old then spoke highly of coach Zdenek Zeman, who has guided the club to fifth spot in Serie A after embarking on his second spell at the Stadio Olimpico back in June.

“Zeman is our coach and his decisions are good for us, with regard to big players like De Rossi and (Pablo) Osvaldo as well,” Baldini added.

“Zeman has the power to educate. We think that the squad is competitive enough to win soon.”