José Mourinho has spoken to the press ahead of Sunday evening’s Serie A clash between Roma and Napoli.
Mourinho’s side travel down to south Italy in 6th place, but only three points behind Inter in 2nd. Napoli, meanwhile, are league leaders by a resounding ten points.
Ahead of the fixture, Mourinho has discussed his opponents as well as housekeeping details within his own club.
In typical Mourinho fashion, mind games were applied.
“I hope to not be misinterpreted, but congratulations to Napoli on the Scudetto. They’ve won it. It’s theirs. And it’s theirs deservedly.
“They are an excellent team with a great coach, sit 12 points clear with nobody who can frighten them.
“If you ask me will Roma get out of their way, I say no, we go there trying to get a result, but that doesn’t change the fact they have already won the Scudetto. The title is theirs.”
As for Napoli’s key defender, Kim Min-jae, Mourinho revealed that he was eager to sign the South Korean centre-back during his reign at Tottenham Hotspur.
Kim, who signed for Napoli last summer for €18m from Fenerbahçe, has been one of Europe’s most outstanding central defenders this season.
Mourinho claims to have sought Kim when the 26-year-old was plying his trade in the Chinese Super League.
“There’s a Napoli player I wanted at Spurs. The asking price was €10m, we could have got him for €8m, but Spurs only offered €5m. They had no money then unlike now.
“I facetimed him two or three times and he was really keen to join. It’s that crap defender, Kim.”
Meanwhile, Roma’s own star centre-back has been a topic of discussion lately.
Chris Smalling’s approaching contract expiration date is causing a flurry amongst Serie A clubs, with Inter most keen to pursue the Englishman, as previously relayed by Foot Italia.
Reports suggest, however, that Smalling is seeking a longer contract than the one which Roma have proposed and would happily remain at the club.
On Smalling’s situation, Mourinho said:
“The point is that he is playing very, very well, showing that he is concentrated only on Roma and very professional.
“The situation is open, I have not spoken to him about it. My personal belief is that he wants to stay. The club understands his importance. An agreement can be found and I think he is more likely to remain than to leave.
“Roma need Chris and I do not see Chris doing better anywhere else. They must reach an agreement.”
Napoli versus Roma kicks off at 20:45 CET tomorrow (Sunday) evening.
