Roma are ready to get to work ahead of the summer 2024 transfer window, with an all-new team of decision makers.
This summer will be Roma’s first chance to truly shape their squad to Daniele De Rossi’s liking, even though they already managed to make two signings after his appointment in the winter transfer window (when it was only foreseen he would be a temporary presence in the dugout anyway).
Furthermore, Florent Ghisolfi is set to get to work as Roma’s new technical director, hoping to have a close collaboration with De Rossi and some key backroom figures to get transfer decisions right.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League for a sixth year running, Roma have various areas of their squad to improve. But in which order should they tackle their issues?
Here, Giallorossi Yorkshire picks out eight roles Roma might need to invest in, and orders them from the highest priority to the least urgent.
Winger(s)
A clear change implemented by De Rossi since replacing Jose Mourinho has been to move on from a back three in favour of a back four. However, with a lack of natural wingers in the squad, the options available tactically have been quite limited.
The only out-and-out winger in Roma’s squad is Stephan El Shaarawy, who was a (useful) rotation player under Mourinho but has had to take on more responsibility under his former teammate De Rossi. Having El Shaarawy as a starter next season would not be a problem, but if there is an opening to add some quality, Roma must take it. If not, setting up in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 would be a bit of a headache again.
Other players De Rossi can use there include Paulo Dybala (who sadly is no guarantee to stay) and Tommaso Baldanzi – both of whom would prefer to play a bit more centrally – and Nicola Zalewski, who is at serious risk of being sold after struggling to perform effectively as a wing-back or further forward. Another consideration could be to reintegrate Ola Solbakken after his loans away this season and give him a chance, but would he be good enough?
Adding a quality winger or two would unlock some new methods of attack for Roma, who have struggled for inspiration sometimes in the final third and have an obvious gap to fill with wide attackers.
Right-back
Roma’s problems out wide are not just restricted to their attack. Far from it. There is no standout option at right-back between Zeki Celik, Rick Karsdorp and Rasmus Kristensen.
The latter will return to Leeds after his loan spell, whereas Celik and Karsdorp remain under contract. Karsdorp seems increasingly likely to be sold, while Celik has minorly improved recently but not to the point of being considered worthy of being the long-term first-choice.
It has been an issue for various managers at the club in recent years to not have a reliable right-back. The only reason this aspect wasn’t top of the list was because, for all their flaws, there are at least two players currently in the squad to cover there, whereas there is an undeniable vacancy of wingers.
But the time to make do should be over if Roma really want to progress back towards the Champions League and that will likely mean signing an upgrade on the right-hand side of defence.
Left-back
With the expected release of Leonardo Spinazzola at the end of his contract, there is also a clear need for a new left-back.
Roma are likely to activate their option to buy Angelino after his six months on loan from RB Leipzig, which will go some way to addressing it, but is he good enough to be a starter or will he be the bench player?
Whichever way round Roma decide, they will need to invest in a new player to fulfil the other role in the left-back hierarchy. And just like on the opposite side of defence, it needs to be someone they can depend on.
Central midfielder(s)
Roma have done plenty of work on their midfield in recent years after it was previously a massive problem, and although De Rossi has settled on a combination of playing Leandro Paredes, Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini in it, it still isn’t perfect.
Renato Sanches will be sent back to Paris Saint-Germain after his injury-riddled loan spell, while another signing from last summer, Houssem Aouar, is already at risk of an exit.
Therefore, Roma could take the opportunity to accommodate a new box-to-box midfielder – especially with Edoardo Bove’s future up for question too – or even a deputy to Paredes in the holding role (unless they reintegrate Ebrima Darboe after his time away on loan, which currently seems less likely than likely).
Paredes was suspended for the last game of the Serie A season and Cristante did not look comfortable at all deputising in defensive midfield, so Roma could need a better backup.
Since De Rossi has found a formula he deploys often, Roma might be more relaxed than before about their midfield, but their work there is not necessarily done and if an opportunity emerges, they could take it.
Striker
Always a crucial piece of the jigsaw, Roma may well have to find a consistent striker in the summer after sending Romelu Lukaku and Sardar Azmoun back to their parent clubs after their loan spells – unless, somehow, they secure a way for the former to stay.
There remains the enigma of Tammy Abraham, who has returned from his long-term injury but has not yet shown signs of being the reliable goal-getter Roma need as their first choice – which may though work against their favour in terms of selling him.
After a frustrating striker search last summer, Roma can’t get it wrong this time if they see the need for a new goal-getter (and finances allow, depending on Abraham’s future in particular).
And while Lukaku has not been perfect and is (presumably) too expensive to keep, any new arrival would have to take the reins from someone who has broken the 20-goal barrier in the 2023-24 season, so has to be up to standard.
The stark reality for Roma is, though, that without Champions League funds, it would be unsustainable to bring in a striker on high wages while Abraham remains, so some dominoes may have to fall for this issue to be addressed.
Centre-back
Roma could say goodbye to an experienced but declining option at centre-back in the shape of Chris Smalling this summer. Furthermore, Dean Huijsen will be headed back to Juventus after his loan spell.
Roma will need to increase their defensive depth, but whether they need a new starter or not will depend on what the future holds for Evan Ndicka. They could also look to make Diego Llorente’s stay from Leeds permanent.
If Roma are to effectively balance a variety of competitions, they will need four reliable centre-backs to pick between. Gianluca Mancini will presumably be one, while Llorente and Ndicka could be two of the others, leaving one vacancy to fill.
But, like in midfield, if there is an upgrade available, it could be tempting for Roma to make a move.
Backup goalkeeper
A few months ago, Roma thought they might have needed to be in the market for a new starting goalkeeper once Rui Patricio’s contract expired. Now, the situation has transformed.
Mile Svilar was promoted from within by De Rossi (in fact, he also started Mourinho’s final game in charge, although we will never know if the intention would have been to keep him in net for as long as the current coach has) and has grasped his chance. As long as they don’t have to sell him, Svilar should be Roma’s number one next season.
Therefore, the new question is who their backup keeper will be. Patricio’s contract has still not been renewed, although some have been impressed by the way he has responded to being dropped and how he has served as a mentor for Svilar. If Roma could reduce his salary, maybe retaining the Portuguese veteran wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
But Patricio’s form on the pitch was declining and Roma might decide they need a less risky second choice behind Svilar, prompting them to find someone with a comfortable amount of experience. It will depend on their decision with Patricio – and even when someone new comes in, Svilar is likely to retain the major proportion of gametime – but there is reason to believe Roma will make a minor change in the goalkeeping department.
Attacking midfielder
Finally, Roma may have to keep in mind the attacking midfield role in case of Dybala’s potential exit. The Giallorossi are vulnerable to losing their star player due to a release clause in his contract, which only has a year remaining anyway.
As long as Dybala is at the club, he will be among Roma’s most important players. But if he leaves, the club will have to consider their options.
As stated earlier, they do have Baldanzi to nurture for the future. But losing a player who can contribute like Dybala and not immediately replacing him might cause some discontent.
For now, this issue is among the lowest priorities, but by the end of the summer, it isn’t impossible that it will also have come onto the agenda.
It’s going to be a busy few months.
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