Agent: ‘Juan Jesus criticism unfair’

By Football Italia staff

Juan Jesus’ agent will accept “honest and constructive criticism”, but feels the Roma defender is being singled out.

The Brazilian has been criticised since joining the Giallorossi from Inter this summer, but his representative believes some of it has gone too far.

“There’s too much talk and it’s exaggerated,” Roberto Calenda said in an interview with Voce Giallorossa.

“Of course he feels it, but the lad is strong and calm, he’s used to pressure. He played in the Olympics and the the Derby [della Madonnina] with Inter, hardly things for amateurs.

“Of course it must be said that he’s adapting and it’ll take a bit of patience. He’s never had a Coach [Luciano Spalletti] who’s so prepared from a tactical point of view, to teach him and help him improve.

“Ok, he’s had some difficulty, that’s true. There has also been legitimate criticism, we’ll accept honest and constructive criticism.

“I must also say though that he’s had some physical problems with his ankle and it’s hard to heal 100 per cent when playing every three days.

“Above all though he’s gone from a team which plays in a certain way to this Roma that attacks in such a spectacular way and so needs a different style of defending.

“No excuses, but I wish everything was taken into account when making judgements. He adapts to each location with a great spirit of sacrifice and a great sense of teamwork.

“He’s a team player, he always gives everything for the team and puts that ahead of his ego.

“I’ve noticed a strange prejudice around him. I’ll explain: when he makes a mistake he gets criticised, and that’s fine.

“But when he stops [Antonio] Candreva and [Jose] Callejon, what should be said? Yet after he stopped Napoli down his side, I read the main sports newspapers - one in particular - giving him a 5.5. How can that be?

“The day before Callejon was the dangerman, then the day after Juan was unconvincing - but Callejon was invisible! So excuse me, who was marking him?

“Or when great praise is given to the ‘three-and-a-half-man’ defence, but there’s no mention of him, when it’s his qualities which allow them to play this way.

“It’s been very exaggerated. I repeat, after [Viktoria] Plzen he was criticised, or even for the goal conceded against Austria Vienna.

“But after Inter and Napoli, nothing. And if someone plays well but then makes one mistake that doesn’t mean they’re disastrous. He simply made a mistake, as happens to other players.

“Look at what happens in other teams: defenders dribble and get caught in possession, or give away stupid penalties, or get sent off and then what? We read about a positive performance, where the only error was the goal.

“For some, when they make a mistake it’s a blemish, for others it’s the source of everything that’s wrong. All I’m asking for is honesty in judgement.”

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