Jordan Veretout, the French midfielder who left Roma to join Marseille after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League at Tirana, has offered himself as available should the club require his services again. Speaking to Rete Sport, Veretout reflected on his time in the Giallorossi shirt and expressed admiration for Gian Piero Gasperini's current project, saying: "When I see Roma's defenders arriving to score, it's spectacular. I hope this year the Giallorossi squad can win the Scudetto."
During his three seasons at Roma, Veretout made 131 appearances and scored 22 goals with 16 assists. He acknowledged that departing the club was difficult but necessary at the time. "I liked helping the team, running a lot, and I managed to score a lot. I made three spectacular years at Roma, my family felt very good there, I made many friends, it was difficult to leave Roma. We won the Conference, it was difficult to leave after that," he said. He confirmed the move to Marseille came after an offer from "a great team in France like Roma is in Italy" and felt it was the right moment after three years. Regarding Gasperini, Veretout suggested the manager's tactical approach would have suited him: "He's a great coach in Italy and he's proven it in Europe too. I'm entertained watching Roma—it's vertical football, strong, constant pressure. By characteristics I would have enjoyed it, I would surely have improved further. I was trained by Tudor at Marseille who played with a similar system. I would have liked to be trained by him. When I was at Roma, Atalanta wanted me, so I think Gasperini wanted me with him."
Veretout recalled his favourite Roma goal as coming against Napoli from the penalty spot, with Dzeko and Kolarov setting him up to score beneath the Curva Sud: "That was a heavy ball, I assure you." He praised Nainggolan as the strongest midfielder in Serie A during his time, and expressed affection for fellow Frenchman Manu Koné, now at Roma: "I watch him with affection, I'm happy he's doing well in Giallorosso and I wish him to win at Roma because it's special." On José Mourinho, with whom he began brightly before playing less in the second half of a season, Veretout said: "He was number one. I had a good relationship with him. I don't know if it was him or the society first that made me play less, we talked about renewal but we didn't find an agreement, then the Marseille offer came. I had a good relationship with Mou, he was always very close to the players, he is and remains a number one."
Veretout, now based in Qatar, signalled his readiness to consider a return if Roma came calling, saying his wife wishes to return to the capital. "I'm not finished, I can still give a hand. If Roma wants me, I'm here," he said. He concluded with praise for Roma's fanbase: "Top supporters in Europe for passion and warmth. At Rome you sing, there's a crazy atmosphere, like at Marseille. I wish Roma's fans to win and celebrate a lot—they deserve it for the love they nurture for the Giallorossi colours."
