"Those who doubt Higuain are crazy"

"I am here because I have a strong conviction that we can take Roma to another level. We know Serie A is very difficult, especially tactically, and for me it's a challenge. I'm here because I think we can build something special," Fonseca said at a press conference at the Trigoria sports centre.

Fonseca, who arrives at Roma having won three league titles and three cups with Shakhtar Donetsk, highlighted his desire to have "motivated" players, but didn't want to comment too much on Higuaín's situation at Juventus after the Argentine was praised last week by Roma's sporting director Gianluca Petrachi.

"I'm totally in tune with Gianluca. I don't want to talk about a player who isn't here at the moment. If he arrives, we'll talk about him, but I don't want to talk about transfers that haven't taken place," said Fonseca.

"I think those who doubt Higuain are crazy. At the moment he's lost a little confidence, but he would certainly be good for us at Roma if Dzeko ends up leaving. The desire to play here is very important, and if any negotiations weres opened with Juventus, Higuain would have to be the first to be convinced," Petrachi said last Thursday at a press conference.

Fonseca enjoyed his first day as Roma boss this Monday, and underlined his desire to have an "intense" team that wants "to have possession", as "having the ball is the best form of defence".

The Portuguese boss takes over at Roma in a difficult moment after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League last season, and becomes the eighth manager in nine years in the Italian capital.

"I'm not afraid of anything. Fear is a feeling I don't know. I don't like to talk about myself, because it's the results that speak for the coaches. I hope that I can be known for the results and for things I say," he said, asked about what he thinks he can bring to Rome.