Manu Koné spoke at a France press conference ahead of Friday's Nations League match against Italy, addressing transfer rumours that surrounded him during the summer window. The Roma midfielder acknowledged that activity had taken place but stressed his full focus on the club. "Some things happened… I'm at Roma, I'm concentrated, we have objectives. I'm a Roma player and I'll give 100% for this club," he said.
Koné's remarks came after a summer window in which his future had been subject to speculation, though he has remained at the Giallorossi. He is part of France's squad under Zinédine Zidane and will face Italy in the Nations League fixture. The midfielder also commented on other aspects of the international camp, including Maignan, whom he described as "a great goalkeeper, captain of Milan" and "a great teammate."
On the fixture itself, Koné noted the rivalry between his Roma teammates and the Italian players. "There's a lot of banter, being a Roma player," he explained. "They want to win, it's an important match, they're in reconstruction and going through a complicated moment. We have training this afternoon but we'll leave with the same dynamic to work on the two upcoming matches. We'll do what the coach asks us."
Regarding his positional flexibility, Koné said he had played as a regista and was comfortable adapting to tactical demands. "A midfielder must know how to play everywhere. I've already played it at Roma, it's not something that changes much," he stated. On working with Zidane, he reflected: "It's a pleasure to be coached by Zinédine Zidane, a world legend. He manages us in a human way, very sincere, he's close to the players; he uses tact, pulls us aside. He transmits confidence to all of us, each of us is natural. He told me to play freely. What struck me most is his technical repertoire—seeing that he still has that technique, I think he must have been incredible in his day."
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Roma midfielder Manu Koné has addressed summer transfer speculation surrounding his future, reaffirming his commitment to the Giallorossi ahead of France's Nations League fixture against Italy. Speaking at a French press conference, Koné acknowledged that activity had taken place during the window but stressed his singular focus on Roma's objectives. "Some things happened… I'm at Roma, I'm concentrated, we have objectives. I'm a Roma player and I'll give 100% for this club," he said, adding that he receives frequent banter from teammates and opponents over his status as a Giallorossi player.
Regarding the upcoming match, Koné noted Italy's challenging period of reconstruction while emphasising that both squads approach the fixture with genuine ambition. He outlined his tactical flexibility, noting that a midfielder must adapt across positions and that he has already played as a regista at Roma. On his experience working under Zinédine Zidane with France, Koné praised the legendary coach's human approach and technical mastery. "It's a pleasure to be coached by Zinédine Zidane, a world legend. He manages us in a human way, very sincere, he's close to the players," Koné reflected, adding that Zidane's instruction to play freely had transmitted confidence throughout the squad.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Dal ritiro della Francia, Manu Koné è intervenuto in conferenza stampa alla vigilia della sfida contro l’Italia, in programma venerdì sera e valida per il girone di Nations League. Il centrocampista della Roma ha parlato anche delle voci di mercato che lo avevano riguardato durante l’ultima…”
Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.
