Leeds United loanee Rasmus Kristensen explains intense few days after Roma switch
On loan Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen has opened up on what he has described as an intense few days after making the switch to Roma, report Italian publication, Voce Giallo Rossa.
Speaking in a media mixed zone after Joe Mourinho’s side ran out 6-0 winners over Latina in pre-season, the Dane admitted to enjoying his early time in the Italian capital as well as discussing the role the Portuguese boss expects him to play after the temporary switch.
The defender admitted he prefers to play in a three-man defence rather than a back four, making him an ideal solution for a Mourinho Italian team that bases themselves on defensive solidity.
For the 26-year-old the warm Italian weather has come as a bit of a culture shock, the current European heatwave a fair bit warmer than anything he would’ve experienced in his native Denmark or Yorkshire for that matter.
“It’s the first few days here, I’m trying to settle in as best I can. It’s very hot, it’s scorching hot for someone like me who comes from Scandinavia,” he said.
“I’m feeling very well, I’ve been well received, and I can’t wait to get back on track and return all this affection—very good sensations. I only arrived on Monday, it’s been five days of intense work and lot of physical work as it should be in preparation. I’m enjoying the City.”
An excellent chance to learn
Whether or not Kristensen ever returns to Elland Road or not, for the defender there feels like there would be few better chances to hone his craft and definitely even few better managers to learn from than the self-proclaimed ‘special one.’
While he may not be the Mourinho of old, he has a knack for making defenders better and remains responsible for some of the best defences the Premier League have seen and if any of that can rub off on Kristensen it could be hugely beneficial to Leeds.
When he signed from Red Bull Salzburg last summer it was on a five-year contract so the Whites have secured his services should they want him back at Elland Road next season, but if not, a loan at a top Serie A club will only help them raise the fee required to buy him.
The opportunity for the defender to learn more about his game, which he is so open about his understanding of, should only benefit everyone involved in the transfer and hopefully, the repercussions of his loan will be felt positively back at his parent club.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites could be set to send a proposal to sign a Marcelo Bielsa scholar and Uruguay international left-back