Roma tasted European glory with Jose Mourinho last season and all the signs suggest that things are only going to get better in the Eternal City, with reinforcements like Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum giving the Giallorossi the tools they need challenge for the Champions League spots, Apollo Heyes writes.
Expectations were high when Jose Mourinho arrived in Rome last season, and he certainly didn’t disappoint, guiding the team to their first ever major European title in the Europa Conference League. Things were a little more difficult domestically, but a strong summer transfer window has ironed out the kinks in Mourinho’s squad.
Roma said goodbye to Henrikh Mkhitaryan last month and finalised the sale of a number of unneeded players, like Pau Lopez and Cengiz Under to Olympique Marseille. Jordan Veretout later joined the pair on the French coast. Nicolo Zaniolo has also heavily been linked with a move away, but it would take €50m to pry the Italian talent from the capital.
The incoming market is where Roma truly turned heads, starting with their acquisition of Paulo Dybala on a free transfer. The Argentinian forward had been looking for a new home after his contract expired with Juventus, and Mourinho managed to convince him of the project in Rome.
Other key arrivals include Wijnaldum on loan from Paris-Saint Germain, Nemanja Matic and Mile Svilar on free transfers and Zeki Celik from Lille. The Giallorossi have also been linked with free agent Andrea Belotti, who could provide another boost up front.
Key man: Tammy Abraham
The English striker had a truly incredible debut season in Serie A last year, netting 27 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions. He was an instrumental part of their Conference League success and he proved himself to be a top striker under Mourinho.
With a year of experience now under his belt, Abraham will be hoping to get involved in the running for the Capocannoniere title this season.
Coach: Jose Mourinho
When it comes to coaching in modern football, Mourinho is on an incredibly exclusive list of elite practitioners in the sport. His success has spanned the continent, picking up European titles with Porto, Manchester United, Inter and Roma, and his presence in the Italian capital has been key in attracting new stars like Dybala.
Mourinho is a machiavellian-esque coach who’ll set up his team to win in any way possible, not being wedded to a particular style. Last season, he mostly alternated between a 3-4-2-1 and a 3-4-1-2 formation, but he’s not afraid to deploy a four-man defence either.
Watch out for: Paulo Dybala
Thousands filled the streets of Rome to welcome the Argentinian star last month and many expect big things from the player, whose time with Juventus ended in a fairly anonymous fashion. The arrival of Dybala is a sign of the club’s ambition and backing of Mourinho’s project, so they’ll be hoping to see their star signing shine bright under the lights of the Stadio Olimpico.
Get the full 2022-23 Serie A season preview here.
If you write anyone other than Pellegrini as the Key Man then you’re wrong – Roma’s leader, and most important creative player.
Tammy is good and important but Roma needs Pellegrini and Tammy while brilliant last season isn’t nowhere as important.