Eder: 'Inter over Leicester'

By Football Italia staff

Eder says he must earn the Azzurri shirt and has no regrets about choosing Inter over Leicester: 'With all due respect, they're not the same'.

The Italian oriundo is looking to start for Italy in Euro 2016, but his first eight matches with the Nerazzurri so far have been goalless.

Eder is hoping to change that record against Roma on Saturday evening, in a game that Azzurri Coach Antonio Conte is certainly not going to overlook.

“If I play as a poacher, I'll do so according to my characteristics,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport. “I'm used to waiting in the box to push the right ball into the net.

“What matters to me is being useful and doing what the team needs me to do. Though I'm sorry that we go into such a delicate game without [Mauro] Icardi, [Rodrigo] Palacio and [Stevan] Jovetic. Still, we'll be ready.

“A lot would have changed if I'd joined Inter last summer rather than in the winter transfer window. It's no cake-walk to change mid-season. For instance, I've been here a month and a half, but I moved to my new home only one week ago.

“I'm not looking for excuses, but that's the truth. I'd have had more time to settle down in the summer.”

Eder also had the opportunity of joining Leicester City in the winter, the team that is now leading in the Premier League charts.

“I don't regret my decision. I'd do the same again. With all due respect to Leicester, but Inter are Inter. I've been in Italy a long time and I know what these colours mean.

“But it's true that I had a deal with Leicester and I want to thank [their Coach Claudio] Ranieri. I spoke with him back then and he is an extraordinary person. I'll support them in the Premier, but I couldn't give up on Inter.

“In any case I didn't stay in Italy because I was afraid of not making it with the national team. We're talking about England, not about China. [Manchester United's Matteo] Darmian and [Southampton's Graziano Pelle] are still getting call-ups.

“I do hope to make the Euros. I think it would be normal, after being called up for the Azzurri eight times. I know it's not easy. I need to earn my spot by playing well for Inter, even though there's a lot of competition here.

“Roberto Soriano? I don't know what's going to happen. But if he comes, it's going to be a great signing for Inter.

“Soriano is a good lad, but he's also a great footballer. He's a modern midfielder, capable of contributing to the attack and the defence.”

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