Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic has come forward with interesting remarks, wherein he spoke on a plethora of topics, including his opinion on links between Roma and Paulo Dybala and Giorgio Chiellini’s stature as a hard man.
The ex-Juventus ace spent 2021-22 on loan at Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig and is expected to reinforce the Blaugrana’s midfield line once he’s back for next season.
Speaking to La Repubblica (via Il Bianconero) in an exclusive interview, Pjanic didn’t hold back his thoughts, especially regarding what he felt about facing Juventus legend Chiellini when he was still at Roma.
“If I had to choose just one person to make a team, the first I would take is Giorgio. I hated him as an opponent. But as a teammate he is the best you can have: a great leader, absolute security in the back; he always finds the right words, an extraordinary person. When you lose a player like that, on the pitch and in the locker room it is difficult to replace him.”
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international also believes the match between Dybala and Roma is ideal if it materializes.
“Dybala would be perfect and Roma would be perfect for him. From what I see, Roma need to take a step forward, with some more champions. And players like Paulo improve their teams and he would definitely do the same for Roma. It could be a solution and I’d love to see him there.”
Despite his Barcelona move not proceeding as expected, Pjanic still maintains hope of making it into the starting eleven after playing just one season, intermittently.
“Barcelona has an important meaning for me, it was a dream I had as a child. I am very proud of my career: Metz, Lyon, Roma and Juve.”
Pjanic then revealed his love for Italian football.
“I spent nine years in Italy, the most important of my career. I love Italian football a lot. For now I imagine staying in Barcelona for another two years and playing out my contract. Then, we’ll see. Never say never.”
Pjanic registered 178 appearances for the Bianconeri in his four-season stint, before which he capped 185 times for Roma from 2011 to 2016.