Daniele De Rossi insists that Roma have no unsellable players, including Paulo Dybala: ‘Those who want to leave are free to do it.’
De Rossi spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport after a 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The Giallorossi had taken the lead with Lorenzo Pellegrini in the first half, but the Toffees levelled the score through Dominic Calvert-Lewin at minute 61.
Roma will debut in the 2024-25 Serie A away at Cagliari on Sunday.
“I’m happy with how we worked, both in England and at Trigoria, always intensively,” said De Rossi.
“The new signings have helped us to complete the team, which was already pretty strong. We had to make the team deeper and sign players with the same quality as the starters. This is what’s happening.”
Roma still need to sign a new right-back, but De Rossi expects some sales as well.
“Surely we have too many players, I had 31 at St. George’s Park. Some players will leave and play elsewhere, like in other Serie A clubs. You can’t work well with 31 players. If somebody goes, then we’ll focus on new signings.”
There are reports that Dybala rejected a move to Al Qadsiah when his €12m clause was still valid. The Argentinean only played 15 minutes against Everton. Does this mean that a move is on the cards?
“The line-up does not depend on rumours,” insisted De Rossi.
“Nothing influenced my decisions. I deployed the team that I wanted to see against Everton. The start of the season is near, and we must be more similar to what we want to be. I experimented, like in other games. Those who came to England are all Roma players, then we’ll see what happens. This is true not only for Dybala but for everyone. When I was asked if there were players who should stay at all costs, I said no. Whoever wants to leave is free to do it.”
How can Dybala and Matias Soulé play together?
“They can do it in a 4-2-3-1 system with Paulo playing as a false nine, but also as attacking midfielders in a 4-3-2-1; there are so many ways, like the others,” De Rossi replied.
“And anyone can go on the bench too. The important thing is that whoever is involved becomes an added value to the team.”