Massimo Cellino’s comments used against player after recent snipes

 

Massimo Cellino’s comments about AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan have resurfaced in the Italian media, following the Belgian international’s recent attack on the Serie A champions. In 2012 the now Leeds United owner revealed he had an agreement for Nainggolan to join Juventus from Cagliari.

Nainggolan has come under fire in the past few days for comments he made last week about Juventus. The central midfielder told some Roma fans he’s always despised Juventus, even when he was playing at Cagliari.

The Belgian, perhaps forgetting what Leeds United’s owner has said previously, revealed he was unhappy with Juventus always winning titles because of the help they received from referees.

“I’ve been disliking Juventus ever since I was born. Even when I was playing in Cagliari, I always wanted to beat them, I would have given anything to beat them because they win all the time thanks to gifts from referees,” said Nainggolan.

However, this has been questioned in the Italian media following a statement made by Cellino when he was the owner of Cagliari. The Leeds United chief confirmed he a had verbal agreement for Nainggolan to join Juventus, unless the Turin club side changed their minds. Cellino also spoke about the player’s admiration for the Italian club, and his joy playing at their ground

“To Nainggolan I enshrined a pact of honour with Juventus. If they do not change their minds in June, Radja will be a Juventus player. I gave my word to Marotta. Radja remains bewitched by the Juventus Stadium when he came to play for Cagliari, ” said the Leeds United owner.

Cellino owned Cagliari for over twenty years before he purchased Leeds United in 2014. The Italian had a major say on transfer matters during his time at the club, and established this kind of control early into his reign at Leeds United..

During his first couple of seasons Cellino brought in a number of players from Italy, with claims he also became involved in tactics. However, under the current manager it seems Cellino has let Garry Monk bring in his own players, and hasn’t tried to interfere.

With Monk in charge at Leeds, Cellino has been less likely to openly speak about transfers, and Nainggolan will now wish it had been that way at Cagliari.