26-year-old Dutch full-back Rick Karsdorp has evolved into an effective player on Jose Mourinho’s right wing, manning the right-back area with great efficacy. He has played a key role in keeping alive Roma’s European qualification hopes, with the Giallorossi sitting in sixth place – securing 32 points from 19 matches.
He moved from Feyenoord Rotterdam in the summer of 2017 and only just recently ended up etching himself in the capital club’s ranks. Karsdorp’s rise arrived during Paulo Fonseca’s final season in 2020/21, wherein he notched 45 appearances, shortly before Mourinho continued maintaining that trust.
In an exclusive magazine interview with Dutch football outlet Elf Voetbal, Karsdorp has revealed details of his personal and professional life, shedding light on the eternal derby against Lazio and the influence of Mourinho on his career.
“They really leave you alone here. Of course, I am approached when I am walking on the street, but in general supporters do not push themselves. Suppose I am out to dinner, then they patiently wait until after dinner to ask for an autograph or a photo. Yes, food is sacred here. You can’t interfere with that. In the Netherlands, people stand next to your table to ask for a photo. That doesn’t happen here (in Italy),” explained Karsdorp.
He eventually compared the atmosphere of the Derby della Capitale to the De Klassieker i.e. Dutch football’s main rivalry between Feyenoord and Ajax.
He said: “They are comparable. The passion for the club is clear, especially in the derby against SS Lazio, which is a bit more intense than Feyenoord – Ajax. And here too the following applies: if you do it right, you are the hero. the less, then you get criticism. Although, now that I think about it: maybe people are a little more critical here than at Feyenoord.”
Finally, he showered words of praise for coach Mourinho.
“Mourinho makes me better. I liked drinking and going out before, now it doesn’t happen anymore. I came to play abroad because of the Roma project.”
Roma sit sixth in in the Serie A table, level on 32 points with Fiorentina.