Pjanic´s pace not an issue: Totti

Roma captain Francesco Totti believes playmaker Miralem Pjanic’s lack of pace is not an issue because of his exceptional vision.

The 21-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international was an 11 million euro deadline-day capture from French giants Lyon and his captain has been impressed by his performances in his first six weeks in the Italian capital.

“Pjanic is technically formidable, even if he seems a little slow on the outside,” Totti said.

“He thinks a second quicker than you and that makes it very difficult (for opponents).”

The veteran attacker has also welcomed suggestions that Argentine starlet Erik Lamela could be the man to fill his boots when he eventually decides to call it a day.

“I haven’t seen much of him due to the ankle problem, but team-mates have said he is a player who can make a difference,” the 35-year-old said.

“Can he be my heir? Maybe. It would be nice to think that the player already exists at Roma.”

Totti will miss his side’s crunch clash with city-rivals Lazio on Sunday due to a thigh injury sustained during the 3-1 victory over Atalanta on October 1.