José Mourinho is planning a major squad overhaul in the summer and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, only seven players in the current team are untouchable for the Special One.
The Giallorossi are likely to part ways with Jordan Veretout at the end of the season after the Frenchman refused to sign a contract extension asking for a new €6m-a-year contract. Mourinho is eager to bring in midfield reinforcement, but the coach plans to reshuffle the whole team to make Roma credible top-four contenders in 2022-23.
Tension at Roma as Milan and Spurs target Veretout set to leave after meeting with Mourinho
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, only seven players are not for sale for Mourinho and Italy starlet Nicolò Zaniolo is not among them.
Rui Patricio joined the Giallorossi in the summer and despite some hot and cold performances, he’s proved to be a reliable goalkeeper, so Mourinho is not planning to replace him in the summer.
The Portuguese coach will finally work with Leonardo Spinazzola after the Italy international spent the whole season on the treatment table to recover from an Achilles tendon injury sustained against Belgium during the Euros. He is one of the players expected to stay and the same goes for Chris Smalling.
The ex-Manchester United defender had a tricky relationship with Mourinho at Old Trafford, but he’s put in convincing performances this season despite struggling with injuries at the beginning of the campaign.
According to the report, Roma will offer the Englishman a one-year contract extension at the end of the season to spread his salary onto a multiple-year contract which would expire in 2024 rather than 2023.
Mourinho will be looking for midfielder reinforcement, especially after Veretout’s sale, but the Portuguese coach is willing to make Sergio Oliveira’s move permanent for €13m and extend the expiring contract of Henrikh Mkhitaryan who could be offered an agreement until 2024. Thanks to his 11 goals and five assists in 29 appearances this term, Lorenzo Pellegrini is another player that Mourinho strongly relies on.
Last but not least, Tammy Abraham. The England international is just two goals away from becoming the most prolific debutant in the club’s history with 23 goals in his first 40 appearances with the Giallorossi.
🙌🏻 I sette intoccabili di Mourinho#ASRoma https://t.co/5e9uMmtVrt
— VoceGiallorossa.it (@VoceGiallorossa) March 30, 2022
Makes sense. I might consider adding Karsdorp, Mancini and Ibanez in that order.