The top 10 players with the most appearances for Roma in the Pallotta era

17th June signalled the end of one era and the beginning of another for Roma, as Dan Friedkin took over from James Pallotta as owner.

Pallotta departed the club after an eight-year reign as president, which began in the summer of 2012.

The American was sometimes criticised for selling players too quickly, but many members of the first team did enjoy prolonged stays under his leadership.

Here are the 10 players who made the most appearances for Roma in the Pallotta era.

10. Diego Perotti – 138

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Signed in the winter transfer window of 2016, Diego Perotti made an instant impact at Roma.

The Argentine attacking midfielder became a key player after joining from Genoa. He quickly developed a reputation for being clinical from the penalty spot, but could impress in open play as well.

Perotti is still at the club today, but his gametime has dropped in recent seasons due to injury. He is expected to leave the club this summer, but he has made a good contribution.

9. Stephan El Shaarawy – 139

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Competing with Perotti for the left wing spot for three-and-a-half years, Stephan El Shaarawy joined Roma at the same time, before leaving last summer for Shanghai Shenhua.

El Shaarawy’s goalscoring form in the latter half of his first season was crucial to Roma. Likewise, he was a protagonist in front of goal in his final season.

The Italy forward got his career well and truly back on track in Rome, making it disappointing to see him leave in 2019. At the time of his departure, he had scored 40 goals for the club in all competitions.

8. Francesco Totti – 145

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No player has made more appearances for Roma than Francesco Totti, but his gametime in the Pallotta era significantly reduced.

Nevertheless, Totti impressed as an impact sub in the final years of his career, and continued to break records. For example, he became the all-time leading scorer in the Derby Della Capitale in 2015.

However, he sadly didn’t have the best relationship with Pallotta. Hence, Totti left his off-the-field role with the club in 2019, two years after his retirement.

7. Miralem Pjanic – 154

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Many were disappointed with Miralem Pjanic for the manner of his departure to Juventus in 2016. But at least, unlike several other players, Roma got a good five years of service from him before his exit.

During his time at the club – which began the summer before Pallotta officially became president – Pjanic was a creative force in Roma’s midfield. Useful from free kicks and in open play, he conducted his side’s play.

The Bosnian was also partly responsible for helping to bring compatriot Edin Dzeko to the club.

6. Federico Fazio – 158

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Four years have passed since Federico Fazio arrived at Roma, initially on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

While expectations were initially mixed, Fazio was imperious in his first season, earning the nickname of ‘Il Comandante’ (‘the commander’).

His form made his permanent signing an easy decision, and although he hasn’t always recaptured it since, he remained a first team regular until last year, when he began to settle for more of a backup role.

5. Radja Nainggolan – 203

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One of five players to make more than 200 appearances for Roma under Pallotta, Radja Nainggola was one of those who most embodied the positive aspects of the club in the modern day.

The Belgian midfielder treated Roma as if it was his own club, bringing endless commitment and passion to the midfield. Nainggolan also had a taste for a long-range goal or two.

In his four-and-a-half years of service before leaving in 2018, Nainggolan became a popular character among the Roma fanbase. With the dedication he showed, it was easy to see why.

4. Kostas Manolas – 206

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Another of the cornerstones of Roma in the 2010s, Kostas Manolas had big boots to fill when he was signed as the replacement for Medhi Benatia in 2014, but quickly became pivotal in the Roma defence.

Manolas made 40 appearances or more in each of his first four seasons, and registered 35 in his last before leaving for Napoli in 2019.

By that point, Roma had already resisted years of competition for his signature. But Manolas stayed for a good spell – and became immortal by scoring the decisive goal in the famous Champions League comeback against Barcelona in 2018.

3. Edin Dzeko – 222

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Roma’s current captain, Edin Dzeko has to go down as one of the biggest success stories of the Pallotta era.

Signed for just €15m for Manchester City, in five years Dzeko has gone on to become Roma’s all-time leading foreign scorer.

In his second season with the club, the Bosnian broke the record for the most goals scored by a Roma player in a single campaign. He has since gone on to become one of just seven players to have reached a century of Roma goals.

Dzeko became arguably the most symbolic player of the Pallotta era.

2. Daniele De Rossi – 225

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Fiercely loyal to his boyhood club, Daniele De Rossi spent 18 seasons with Roma – seven of which were in the Pallotta era.

Only Totti has played more times for Roma than De Rossi, who became the beating heartbeat of the club long before the American owners took over.

De Rossi wore his heart on his sleeve and never accepted anything less than full commitment. Officially Roma captain for two seasons, he was a leader for much longer.

Unfortunately, the club chose not to extend his contract in 2019, but he got the send-off he deserved with a stunning reception at Stadio Olimpico after his final appearance.

1. Alessandro Florenzi – 279

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One of the biggest success stories of Roma’s academy over the past decade, Alessandro Florenzi was a player with huge potential, who even though he lost his way slightly due to injuries, still managed to fulfil his destiny of becoming club captain.

Before he left in January 2020, Florenzi made 280 appearances for Roma. Of those, only his club debut came before the Pallotta era.

Showing versatility to play as either a winger, midfielder or full-back, Florenzi was a regular starter in virtually every season, other than when he was injured.

If he leaves the club for good this summer, it will be the end of another era.

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