Updated,
June 7, 2023 at 2:10 am
The 2022-23 season ended in bitter disappointment for Roma and their coach Jose Mourinho. The club lost the UEFA Europa League final on penalties to Sevilla and failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League the following season as they finished 6th in Serie A. There have been many talks about Mourinho’s future, but it seems. she stays put as she was showing him Giallorossi fans that he really sticks in the last game of the season against Spezia.
However, if the Special One stays, it is likely that Roma will have to support him in the transfer market. This presents its own set of problems as the club has been sanctioned for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and regulations. They will dive in once again Mercato going after free agents and loan signings, finding creative ways to acquire new players.
With that said, Roma can still improve their squad ahead of next season. There are a number of players who are free agents and could move to the club if Thiago Pinto, the general manager, and Mourinho convince them of the project. According to reports, Hussem Ouar and Evan Ndicka are two free agents that Roma have contacted and are set to join the team in the coming weeks. The first one in particular appears to have his own medical programming as he is tied up Giallorossi for years. These two unquestionably anchor Roma’s midfield and defense and will be welcomed by Mourinho.
But with Tammy Abraham out for a significant amount of time with an ACL injury he suffered in the last game of the season, Roma will have to hit the market in search of a bona fide striker, someone who can sign the likes of Dybala. in the game, but also managed to score goals himself. Could Roberto Firmino be that guy?
While we assume Mourinho remains committed to the current 3-5-2 formation, bringing in the likes of Firmino, Ouarri and Ndika already means the squad has improved. The midfield already looks stronger and more lively with Ouarr and Pellegrini, and that will surely ease the latter’s creative burden. Cristante is more than good enough as a deputy and can step in when needed. Ndicka provides competition for the backline and could even usurp one of the starting roles during the season, especially given how they will be playing Europa League football again, meaning midweek games will be on Thursday. Firmino is a free agent and the club appear to have extended Andrea Belotti’s contract. These two will have to carry the mantle in the absence of Abraham, who is reportedly out until at least December.
Despite suffering a painful injury, Abraham was the subject of many transfer rumors throughout the season despite not scoring many goals. If Roma look to move him forward, no matter how severe the injury, he will provide the club with much-needed funds. Chelsea are in need of a striker and have reportedly inserted an €80 million buy-out clause that takes effect this July. The club also welcome offers from the likes of Roger Ibanez and Leandro Spinazzola. The potential sale of these three players would inject cash into the club, which could then be used to sign.
Next season, Roma and Mourinho could line up in a different formation if the Special One decides to revert to his preferred formation of 4-2-3-1, something he has done at all the clubs he has managed. This team’s defensive failings are what prompted Jose to switch to a back 3, but given how this team struggles to score goals, largely due to poor finishing, the thought of going back to his regular formation should probably have crossed his mind.
While both squads feature similar signings, Roma will need a bona fide left-winger if they are to play with a back four. With few free agents on the market, could Mourinho reunite with Eden Hazard at the capital club? The pair led Chelsea to the 2014-15 Premier League title and won another trophy that season. However, things ended incredibly badly when Mourinho was sacked in December 2015 after the club found themselves flirting with a potential relegation battle. Hazard underperformed that year and there were rumors of a rift between the two. With that being said, Hazard could be a cheap solution to Roma’s problems on the left flank. He is without a club after Real Madrid terminated his contract and is worth talking about because in contract situations the leverage lies with Roma, not the player.
Alternatively, the club could also pursue the likes of Jonathan Bamba or Wilfried Zahan. However, reports have emerged that the latter is very close to signing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nasr and joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East.
Either way, Jose Mourinho is likely to stick with him GiallorossiThe club will need to find creative ways to meet their transfer targets and improve the starting XI while adding depth to the squad and keeping key players intact. If they please their coach, Roma could be a genuine contender for Serie A and the Europa League.
