Despite 17 goals, the Ukrainian striker was never a consistent starter.
Could Artem Dovbyk ultimately be the real new attacking “reinforcement” for Roma? The paths of football are infinite and sometimes hold exciting surprises. Dovbyk, with humility and the spirit of a true fighter, is seeking a new chance under the guidance of coach Gian Piero Gasperini. While his 17 goals last season are far from a failure, the Ukrainian aims for a more significant impact compared to his time under Claudio Ranieri. He aspires to be a player who combines goals with charisma, quality touch, explosive strength, leadership, and clinical finishing – demonstrating that aura of magic and power that only a select few players possess.
Future
Dovbyk already has solid numbers from his first year in Italy, scoring 17 goals across all competitions despite two significant challenges: three coaching changes and the war in Ukraine affecting his family. The former Girona striker hopes to stay and get an opportunity with a coach like Gasp, known for his ability to elevate the performance and offensive output of his attackers. Dovbyk, after holidays in Sardinia, is eager to discuss the new coach`s plans and assess his confidence in him during the initial pre-season phase at Trigoria, barring any major market surprises. His departure is unlikely, given the €30.5 million plus bonuses invested just a year ago. In recent interviews in late May, the forward showed a readiness to challenge himself: happy in Rome but acknowledging his future depended on the new coach. He described his first year as a “positive balance” given the need to adapt, but also admitted he “could have certainly done more.”
Gasperini`s Workshop
It will be up to Gasp to work with Dovbyk, applying his proven methods to “regenerate” strikers seeking redemption. His experience at Atalanta is a prime example: Mateo Retegui went from 7 goals at Genoa the previous year to winning the Serie A top scorer title with 25; Gianluca Scamacca, a target for the new Roma, set a personal record of 19 goals at Atalanta; and players like Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata also reached double digits under him. Following the trajectory of these Atalanta forwards who blossomed under Gasp, Dovbyk now wants to transform into a relentless goalscorer serving the team, just as Ranieri often urged him last season during what was the initial phase of “restyling” the 2023-2024 La Liga top scorer.
Attacking Options
Having Dovbyk provides Roma with important qualities for a long season aiming for high levels. If Gasp sees signs of his full transformation, the club might add at least two more forwards alongside Artem to complete the attacking lineup, coinciding with the anticipated departures of Eldor Shomurodov (Rennes or Basaksehir) and Tammy Abraham (on the transfer list due to his high salary of nearly €8 million per season; Besiktas or Saudi Arabia are possible destinations). Targets like Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes, Gianluca Scamacca from Atalanta, and the new entry Roberto Piccoli from Cagliari (discovered by Gasp at Bergamo) could significantly boost Roma`s attacking threat. The club expects a powerful and meaningful new beginning from the Ukrainian Dovbyk.
