As Roma‘s transfer plans heat up, Wayne Girard argues the Giallorossi must settle two positions in particular for De Rossi’s flanks…
“We want to get more explosive wingers who can communicate with him (Dybala, ed.) even when he drops back, as he usually does, as long as the team moves accordingly.”
Daniele De Rossi’s words dictated the goal for Roma this summer, which is adding speed and players who could help La Joya. This comment came off the back of the Giallorossi’s 1-0 loss to Toulouse earlier this week in a summer friendly, their second match in a row without grabbing a win versus a much lower ranked opponent.
In fact, tension has been rising quite a lot in the capital. Before this past weekend, new sporting director Florent Ghisolfi had been able to sell several players and slash the wage bill, but only acquired French midfielder Enzo Le Fee on a costly transfer for the club – relative to their usual transfer spending.
The exodus has not yet concluded though, and Tammy Abraham has been continually linked with a move to Milan or back home to England, Edoardo Bove has been mentioned with a similar destination, and Nicola Zalewski’s future is far from certain. Romelu Lukaku returned to Chelsea following his loan move and Rick Karsdorp is being shopped to Turkish clubs.
Now, things are heating up. Matias Soule is a blockbuster deal for Roma, which’ll likely be matched by Artem Dovbyk joining after president Dan Friedkin stepped in to share the club’s desire to have him and De Rossi’s personal contact. Relatively unknown Samuel Dahl has been signed at left-back. But if one wrote down a starting XI, they would notice a top heaviness and lack of depth in every position but the right-wing forward.
De Rossi finished the interview above by adding: “There are some positions to fill, but the feeling is that they will come. We will try to improve on the 34 points made in 17 games and in September we will have a strong team… you can’t have everything straight away.”
Two players Roma need
It begs the question, what do Roma need straight away? If only two more players are able to be signed, Ghisolfi must first look at finding a solution for De Rossi’s requirement of adding speed next to Dybala. Since Soule rarely plays on the left, he will be used to support his compatriot and play close to him, regardless of the formation. Therefore, with just 31-year-old Stephan El Shaarawy on the left and Lorenzo Pellegrini as a makeshift winger, it will be essential to sign a speedy left-wing forward who can burst past Dybala or the centre-forward as they check to receive the ball and play in overlapping teammates.
The rumour mill has been light with linked wingers on the left since Federico Chiesa stalled on his decision, but don’t doubt that Ghisolfi could take a look back home for a lesser known talent in Ligue 1.
Speaking of links, some concerning news popped up for Roma fans this week as Leandro Paredes is said to be considering a move back home next summer, to join his boyhood club of Boca Juniors. Ironically, it’s where he joined Roma from for his first stink in the capital way back in 2014. Paredes was a late transfer last summer, and while having been a decent help under Jose Mourinho, he flourished under De Rossi and became integral to the midfield stability.
If the captain-now-tactician decides to attack while holding one true defensive midfielder and defending with two in an anchor system, Paredes will need someone to help him this coming season, as well as one who can take the reins in the not-so-distant future. Matteo Prati is a great candidate here, especially since De Rossi took a liking to the young defensive midfielder during their time together last season at SPAL.
But while the defensive midfield is an area of observance, the right flank is one of necessity. As Karsdorp does make way, that leaves just Mehmet Çelik as the only returning starter from last season, as Rasmus Kristensen is also gone after his loan concluded. The Turkish international is a back-up at best, which he seems content with after rumours back to Turkey subsided.
The most intriguing name being mentioned is Raoul Bellanova, as part of a possible swap deal with Zalewski. His pace would greatly contribute to De Rossi’s attacking 4-3-3, providing Dybala with cover and an exterior option. Almeriai’s Marc Pubill has also been targeted, who would be the muscle for Dybala, in a relationship not unlike Rodrigo De Paul’s with Lionel Messi for Argentina. While the Spaniard is busy representing in the Olympics, Rennes’ Lorenz Assignon has been thrown into the mix. One thing all three players have in common is that they are under 25-years-old, which will help Roma down the long run.
If Roma can manage to strengthen these two positions, they will be in much better shape come next summer to balance the roster with more quality signings, as they will surely have made a deep push in the Europa League, if not qualified for the Champions League. But first, get your star player the support he needs with a counterpart to the left, and protection off his shoulder.