Gian Piero Gasperini hails Donyell Malen after 19 goals in 20 Serie A games, shrugs off Scudetto talk, and insists Chelsea target Manu Koné ‘is absolutely not’ leaving Roma this summer.
The Giallorossi had a perfect start to the season, crushing both Fiorentina and Lecce 4-0 in their opening two games.
Malen was the star of the show yet again, as he scored a hat-trick in the first fixture, then two more this evening at the Stadio Via Del Mare.
Gasperini sees real Roma progress
“Every game is balanced and difficult, but rather than Lecce’s issues, I would focus on the merits of my team,” said Gasperini in his press conference and on Sky Sport Italia.
“They did well in every aspect, the character shown and confidence on the field. It would not have been easy for anyone to play against Roma today.
“This comes from knowing the style of football and the experience accumulated over the last year, so we are at a far more advanced stage now than we were at the start of last season. I never had problems with this team, the atmosphere in the dressing room is extraordinary, with heart and head together.”
Malen has now scored an extraordinary 19 goals in 20 Serie A games since coming to Roma from Aston Villa in January.
“I have been fortunate enough to work with some great strikers, like Diego Milito at Genoa, but also with Atalanta I often had players score lots of goals. Malen is a little different, although he does remind me of Milito in some ways.
“He has this ability to control, turn and accelerate all within moments, which are extraordinary characteristics for a centre-forward. I think both of us, me and him, wanted him to play in that role. It was a gamble that paid off,” smiled Gasperini.
“Clearly, if Malen and Dybala were always in this condition, everything would be easier, but we also know that cannot be the case.”
Midfielder Koné was in the starting XI this evening, despite the rumours that Chelsea are preparing a possible swoop for the France international.
“Absolutely not, it is a media thing, I know nothing about it,” replied Gasperini. “I know the owners too do not want to sell. I don’t know who approached us, but we have not received any formal offers for him.”
Considering the strong start and building on last season, could this Roma side even try to challenge for the Scudetto?
“I am happy that we are making our fans proud right now. I would prefer to focus on the present, seeing as we’re only two games into the season,” shrugged the coach.
“A team like this that plays this football can give joy to the supporters. We’ve got to wait and see what our opponents do. At this moment, the others are reinforcing, with Inter being in pole position, but also Como are no longer a surprise, then Napoli, Milan and Juventus.
“We’ve got to try to complete our squad so that we don’t run into problems, especially now we’re in the Champions League and need more options available.”
There are reports Roma are set to invest in another wide player, either Jamie Leweling of VfB Stuttgart or Zenit’s Luiz Henrique.
“I hope there will be more signings, the club is doing its best, but clearly there isn’t a lot of time left. It is an anomaly playing with the transfer window still open, and I continue to maintain that schedule is madness,” concluded Gasperini.
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