EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: One-on-One interview with Ghana midfielder Ransford Salasi after gaining promotion with Pescara to the Italian Serie A

By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu @desheikh1 on twitter
Ghana midfielder Ransford Salasi gained promotion with Pescara into the Italian Serie A after failing on two previous attempts.

He is one the best defensive midfielders in the team and played 20 matches this season.

Last season they lost the play-off to Bologna and could not qualify but managed the qualification this season.

Salasi, 19, will be joining a pool of Ghanaian players in the Italian Serie A including Afriyie Acquah, Kwadwo Asamoah, Agyemang Badu, Alfred Duncan and Godfred Donsah.

GHANAsoccernet.com caught up with the combative midfielder exclusively from his base in Ghana following the season break.

GS: Good morning Ransford and congratulations.
RS: Good morning and thank you.
GS: How has life been in Italy?
RS: Wonderful! After gaining qualification with my team into the Serie A, it's been all too well for me. It's been fantastic.

GS: How has your season been for you?
RS: It has been a remarkable season even though I played only 20 matches in the league but gaining promotion with the club has made the season a marvelous one for me.

GS: What does the promotion mean to you as a young player?

RS: It means a lot to me as a player. Every player's dream is to go higher. So gaining promotion means a lot to me. It has added a lot to my career honours and encouraged me to fight for more. Last season we lost to Bologna so it is great getting it this season.

GS: How difficult was it for you and your team-mates when you were paired again with Bologna for the finals of the play off?

RS: Last season we were too confident that we will beat them. We beat them in the league so we took it easy. But they were lucky. We missed a lot of chances and hit the bar several times. But they had only one chance and they made it.

GSN: So what did you do differently this year when you were paired with them again?

RS: We were determined to make it so we didn't want to take any chances. The atmosphere in the team was lovely. All the players were together and we told ourselves we will make it and we did.

GSN: You had limited playing time this season. You mostly came off the bench. Now with this qualification to Serie A, there will be new arrivals. Will you consider moving away to get more playing time elsewhere?

RS: No. No. No. I am ready to stay and fight. The President has not tell me anything. The coach likes me. The players like me and the fans are very brilliant. So I am not thinking of moving anywhere.

GSN: Your name is not much popular among soccer fans in Ghana. Which clubs did he play for before leaving for Europe?

RS: I never played for any club in Ghana. I was playing in a justifier when I was picked for trials in Italy. There I met a man who took me as his son and sent me to Pescara. So I never played for any team in Ghana.

GSN: If you are to play for any Ghanaian club before you retire, which club will you play for?

RS: I'll play for Accra Hearts of Oak.
GSN: Why?
RS: My family is a Phobia family. My cousins, the uncles and aunts as well as my parents are all Phobians. Again I have been in Accra all my years before moving to Italy so I have a heart for the club.

GSN: You will be 20-years in August and yet to receive any national team call up. How ready are you?

RS: I ready anytime. Every player wants to play for the national team so whenever I am called, I will be glad to play.

GSN: Will you play for Italy just as Ballotelli did when the Italian FA approaches you?

RS: Honestly I have never thought of that. But when nthe opportunity comes, I'll still want to play for my country.

GSN: As a midfielder what are your strengths and what qualities will u bring on board when you earn a national call up?

RS: I am strong on the ball and a hard tackler. I am defensive minded and I distribute very well.

GSN: There are many Ghanaian players in Italy. What is your relationship with them?

RS: We are good. I am in close contact with Moses Odjer but I met Afriyie Acquah once and he was nice. But I have good relationship with all the Ghanaian players in the Serie B.

GSN: Lots of Ghanaian players are playing in the top three leagues in Italy. How will he rate their impact to Italian football?

RS: Very great. Ghanaian players have contributed a lot to many Italian clubs. In the Serie B especially, we have a Ghanaian player in almost every club. They are making Ghana proud.

GS: Thanks for your time and may Allah bless you.
RS: Welcome and may Allah bless you too.