Only four Roma players will be involved at the World Cup, so José Mourinho will use the break to recharge batteries and scout potential reinforcements for January, writes Giancarlo Rinaldi.

The World Cup break may be a welcome one for Roma. When the Giallorossi won the Conference League, it was hoped it could be a springboard towards a more convincing push for a top-four finish this season. However, defeats in the Derby della Capitale and Derby del Sole have dented the optimism those trophy celebrations fuelled. Jose Mourinho’s men have sometimes looked like they were running on empty in recent clashes.

The intermission for events in Qatar will allow the capital club to recharge its batteries and, hopefully, nurse back players currently out with injuries like Lorenzo Pellegrini and Georginio Wijnaldum. Surprisingly few players from the red and yellow half of the city will be involved in international football’s biggest competition. Indeed, one who apparently had the opportunity – Italian-Australian Cristian Volpato – turned down the call of the country of his birth to concentrate on his club efforts at just 18. If it produces a shot at the Azzurri later, so much the better for Roberto Mancini.

Giallorossi fans and club officials will certainly be peeping through their fingers in concern now that Paulo Dybala has made it into the Argentina set-up. The former Juve man had a scintillating start to his time in red and yellow but injury has sidelined him and the team has missed him. The last thing they would want is him taking a gamble to play for his country and breaking down. Their biggest reassurance, perhaps, came when boss Lionel Scaloni said he only wanted players who were fully fit and good to go in his squad. If the Albiceleste could go on and win the trophy, La Joya would surely come back to Rome a happy man.

Elsewhere, supporters will be a little more relaxed about Rui Patricio’s involvement with Portugal as he is probably a bit less likely to pick up a knock which could rule him out. There is certainly a big drop-off from him to the back-up keeping staff in Rome but he should be kept match sharp at the World Cup if he plays. That could be useful on his return to Serie A duty.

The other Roma players to get a call-up were Uruguay’s Matias Viña and Poland’s Nicola Zalewski. The South American full-back was a regular in his country’s qualification campaign until injury robbed him of his spot but a return in recent friendlies suggests he should get some game time over the next few weeks. The rise of his 20-year-old teammate – born in Italy to Polish parents – has been the stuff that dreams are made of. He played in all six Nations League matches this year and only the stoniest heart would grudge the boy – whose father passed away last year – the chance to shine on football’s biggest stage.

There was no call up for Roger Ibanez for Brazil but that always looked a long shot anyway – even before his misfortune in the derby. There could be games to come for him with his country but he, like Volpato, will be able to concentrate on his club. That might be no bad thing as they attempt to push their way up the table.

Bigger news, though, was Tammy Abraham’s failure to be called up by England which will leave him at home and, most likely, disappointed. In truth, Gareth Southgate seemed reluctant to use him anyway when he was in top form and his performances have dipped this season. Given the choice of attacking options the Three Lions have he was always going to be up against it. More surprising, surely, was the omission of Milan’s Fikayo Tomori who plays in a position where his country is less blessed. Both men will be hoping to return to top form – and prove their national manager wrong – when Serie A resumes.

ALL SERIE A AND SERIE B PLAYERS APPEARING AT THE WORLD CUP

The World Cup, of course, could also be a shopping window and the Giallorossi have been rumoured to be looking at a few players. One name being linked with a move to one side of the capital or the other is Serbia’s Sasa Lukic – currently at Torino. There is talk that he is keen on a move away and both Roma and Lazio are said to be interested. He would certainly be a welcome boost to an ailing midfield.

Not surprisingly, given recent displays and the way he likes to play, defence is another area which Mr Mourinho is reputed to be keen to strengthen. One name being touted is French defender Evan Ndicka of Eintracht Frankfurt but he is just starting out on his international career and won’t be part of his nation’s effort in Qatar at this stage. Another, however, is old stager Jose Maria Giminez who should be a key player for Uruguay. If he could have a good tournament – but not too good – it might convince the Giallorossi to make their move.

There was also talk of an interest in Fabian Rieder – the Young Boys midfielder called up by Switzerland – who might make a mark at the tournament. Other reputed targets, though, will not be there with Hector Bellerin not part of the Spain set-up and Wilfried Zaha’s Ivory Coast failing to make the competition. There may be other stars, too, who break through and may catch the eye.

The regret, of course, is that Italy will not be at the tournament and that was an area where the Giallorossi could have been a mainstay of Roberto Mancini’s side. Gianluca Mancini, the unfortunate with injury Leonardo Spinazzola, Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Nicolò Zaniolo, Stephan El Shaarawy and Andrea Belotti have all been part of the Azzurri set up at one time or another. They, though, like Italian fans, will simply have to watch events unfold in the Middle East with envy.

@ginkers

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