TMW Exclusive
Last January the Rome anticipated the competition and secured Thomas Baldanzia talented attacking midfielder born in 2003 who, for all those in the know, is one of the most promising youngsters in the entire Italian football scene. Those who certainly know him very well are Nicholas Delli Navellione of the youngest agents in Italy who collaborates with Giuseppe Riso, head of the GRSportsan agency that looks after the interests of the former Empoli player. In the exclusive interview given to TMWstressed that the 21-year-old Rome got off to a good start: “Tommaso is doing very well, both physically and mentally. He trained all summer with a trainer and showed up in perfect shape for the first training sessions.”
The new season has begun and he has immediately been one of the most acclaimed by the fans. What sign is this?
“On the first day of the retreat at Trigoria he was amazed by the fact that, on Sunday 7 July, there were hundreds of fans waiting for them for a photo or an autograph. These things really charge up and make the lads feel responsible. They welcomed him really well and he can’t wait to start his first season at Roma from the beginning”.
Going backwards, would you choose Roma again?
“Yes, he would choose Roma again without thinking twice. There is no doubt about it. I say this because he is very happy to be in such an important team that wanted him so much during the winter transfer window. He is in a beautiful city where the passion for football is palpable every day. He found a wonderful welcoming environment, everyone was available right from the start to help him settle in as quickly as possible. The training facilities are top notch and the warmth of the fans at the Olimpico is something unique, it makes you feel on fire inside”.
Maybe someone expected a few more goals and minutes. Is he satisfied?
“Tommaso is satisfied when he manages to contribute to the team’s victories. There is time to grow and improve. It takes patience and work. Let’s remember that he went from a familiar environment where he knew everyone and everything perfectly, like Empoli, to a totally different city and club. Considering all this, I judge his integration at Roma positively. He has had 5 months to get to know his teammates, the coach’s ideas and to understand what it means to play for this club, always demonstrating his value when called upon. Now comes the best part”.
What kind of coach did he find in De Rossi and what is his relationship with him? It is said that it was the coach himself who wanted him.
“The relationship with the coach is excellent. Tommaso feels the utmost trust and this is the most important thing for every player. The fact that he wanted him is a great sign for the future too. I want to say though that the club has always followed and appreciated him; he made an important investment, they wanted him strongly in January also to anticipate what could have been the competition in this summer market. He is an asset of the club”.
Were there other clubs after him? Why did he choose Roma?
“Many clubs had already set their sights on him, even before his debut in Serie A. His first year in the Primavera was extraordinary: he scored 16 goals, contributing heavily to winning a historic Scudetto. Subsequently, he managed to establish himself in Serie A, demonstrating all his qualities, not only technical, but also in terms of personality and mentality. The choice of Roma was easy and advantageous for all parties involved. Empoli concluded a very important operation and Roma anticipated the competitors by securing a promising Italian talent”.
His future seems obvious to be at Roma, at least for this season. Can the fans rest easy?
“The future in football is always the next training session and the next match and the mind is 100% on this championship. On Roma. He will have the opportunity to grow further, to play in the Europa League and to fight for the top positions in the standings. Tommaso is very excited and loves the atmosphere at the Olimpico”.
Empoli were saved on the last day also thanks to Baldanzi’s goals in the first part of the season. Did you feel that achievement was also yours?
“Empoli’s salvation is certainly the result of the extraordinary work that the club has been doing for years. Despite a season that started badly and the change of three different coaches, they managed to unite and achieve an unexpected salvation. Tommaso, in the first part of the season, scored two very important goals that brought precious points”.
How can you explain the importance of the Empoli environment for Baldanzi?
“For Tommaso, Empoli is home. It couldn’t be otherwise after spending 13 wonderful years there. It’s a healthy and ideal environment to grow, perfect for the path that leads kids to play in big-time football. It was particularly significant that in his last game with Empoli he scored a very important goal at the Juventus Stadium, thus closing a perfect circle.”
Baldanzi is already a linchpin of the Under 21s. Seeing Italy at the European Championship, do you think he can aspire to play for the national team? Is it more of a dream or a goal?
“Tommaso has always been a protagonist in the national team, going through all the youth ranks. He shone in the Under 20 World Cup, which unfortunately ended with a defeat in the final against Uruguay. He is currently a key player for the Under 21s and feels at ease, having known all his teammates and coach Nunziata for years.
The goal is to deserve the last step, the most beautiful one, that is, the senior national team. I think he has all the right credentials and the qualities to aspire to that. It’s a dream, but also a concrete goal”.
You are one of the youngest agents in Italy, what made you think that this could be your profession?
“After passing the FIGC and CONI exams to become a Sports Agent, I was told that I was one of the youngest in Italy, and this fills me with pride. It doesn’t mean anything, let’s be clear, it can only be a stimulus for me. Since I was a child, I was fascinated by the dynamics of the market and by the way in which professional relationships could influence the success of a company or a footballer. I feel this job is mine because it allows me to reconcile my passion, or rather, my obsession for football, with the many aspects that this profession offers, such as the human relationship that is created with the footballers and the professional collaboration with the clubs/sports directors and colleagues”.
You are within GRSports, how much does this agency make your work easier and how educational is it to be in such an environment?
“Working at GRSports at my age is truly an honor. Every day I have the opportunity to learn from Giuseppe Riso, a reference figure for his extraordinary skills and his inexhaustible dedication and hunger that he puts into everything he does. I believe that this is the best place to grow professionally, because in addition to him, there are other collaborators of the highest level and the constant exchange of ideas and the friendly atmosphere in the office are continuous stimuli for me. The experience gained in such a dynamic and stimulating context is invaluable for my professional development”.
What is the aspect that you have improved the most and have tried to treat over time that perhaps you previously neglected a little because you thought it wasn’t that important?
“I think football is a very dynamic world, where everything changes quickly. However, I never forget the importance of small steps and the journey. Not everything comes at once: you have to work and believe in things. I try to dedicate myself only to what makes my heart beat and what gives me something inside; otherwise I prefer to wait. My goal is to help the footballer in managing his career and do only what is best for him. To do that, I need to be truly involved. Only then can I offer maximum support.”