Despite his ongoing injury troubles, Roma have no plans to sell Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman according to the club’s president James Pallotta.
- By Michael Bell
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Strootman has recently undergone his third bout of knee surgery to correct an issue that has kept the Dutch international sidelined for most of the past year.
During a Q&A on Facebook, Roma president James Pallotta was asked if Strootman would still be part of the club’s first team when fit, and he responded by stating the midfielder is a key player for the club, and spoke about extending his contract.
Pallotta said, “No question that Kevin would still be a player of the team if he was fit,”
“I have never had a discussion regarding Kevin leaving. In fact, we extended his contract as a sign of how we feel about him.
“In numerous discussions with Kevin, the only thing he continually repeats to me is, ‘How much Roma has done for him and he hasn’t been able to do the same for Roma’. Every time I answer him and tell him that’s a stupid statement.
“Every day he is part of Roma on and off the field, he does something for Roma.”
Various reports in Italy have Strootman returning to fitness at different times, but the 25-year-old could be back in action come January or February next year.