Borja Mayoral looks back on Roma years: “Mourinho didn’t give me a chance.” | OneFootball

Former Roma striker Borja Mayoral looked back on his experience in the Italian capital.

In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, the 28-year-old attacker of Getafe discussed his spell in Italy with Paulo Fonseca and Jose Mourinho.

“I had been at Levante for two years, where I had done very well. Real Madrid wanted me to stay, but when the transfer window was about to close, my agent said to me: “You have an offer from Roma. However, you see… it’s a difficult place”. I had no doubts: “I like challenges. I’ve been at Real, I want to play there too”. I felt ready and then I wanted with all my heart a chance to play consistently.”

“Fonseca? From the first call he convinced me. He was doing well, he needed a striker with characteristics a little different from those of Dzeko. It was a unique, unforgettable experience.”

“In that Roma there were many Spaniards: Pedro, Perez, Villar. We often met together to watch matches, eat or get to know the city. And then there were people like Dzeko, Mkhitaryan, El Shaarawy, Pellegrini: all wonderful guys. I also had a good relationship with Edin: we talked a lot.”

“In my first season I did very well: I played a few minutes, but I always managed to score. It was a shame not to have won anything, despite the Europa League semi-final with Manchester United. Then between injuries and Fonseca’s farewell, my experience changed completely.”

“Mourinho? Roma wanted me to stay also because after the 17 goals in the first year. But Mourinho preferred to sign other reinforcements, choose the players for his squad: I didn’t have the chance to prove anything to him. I think I played 3 games. Villar and I, also on loan, went to Getafe: I was too eager to play and show what I could do.”