Marash Kumbulla responds to being named best defender in La ...

Albanian defender Marash Kumbulla discussed his loan at Espanyol from Roma.

In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Kumbulla was asked about his rapid rise as one of the top centrebacks in Spain following his loan move from Roma in the summer.

“We are only at the beginning of the season… I definitely feel good and I’m playing well. I’m finding consistency, which is the most important thing for an athlete. I hope to continue like this.”

“Why I struggled with Sassuolo? I think the explanation is simple: I am a player who needs to be at the top physically. After the cruciate ligament rupture, many of my colleagues took a few months to return to good levels.”

“Unfortunately in the six months with Sassuolo, or rather since February, I was coming off the injury and I was unable to express myself at my best. I was disappointed with myself.”

“Espanyol? They looked for me, both the coach and the executives, and they made me feel important. No one can guarantee you a permanent position but I felt that the club had faith in me. And it was true. It also helped that I arrived ready, because I had done a good summer preseason with Roma.”

“Life in Barcelona? Great. I settled in right away. I live in an apartment in the center, I go shopping, the fans are passionate but not intrusive. The city, which is beautiful, is very suited to my character.”

“I don’t like to show off. In Rome it’s almost impossible not to be noticed. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, mind you, but a footballer in private appreciates tranquility.”

“My future? The fact is that I don’t think about it. I’m here and I want to contribute to helping Espanyol stay up in the league. I also have the Albanian national team to think about. At the end of the season we’ll see what is best to do.”

“Roma fans’ criticism? Maybe they just don’t remember me as a footballer. It’s a bit annoying to receive harsh criticism. As I said before, in Italy for a year and a half I no longer expressed my potential. But I have enough self-esteem to move forward. If you get stuck on a mistake you can’t do this job. I knew that sooner or later I would come back.”

“Best and worst moments at Roma? The best was the goal against Real Sociedad, in the Europa League. The worst was the sending off against Sassuolo. That kick to Berardi was an instinctive gesture that I immediately regretted. Already in real time. Unfortunately, it was too late to go back and that episode cost us the match.”