During a recent training session at St George’s Park, AS Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed several pertinent issues concerning the club`s evolving squad. His discussions encompassed the ongoing search for a left-sided attacker, the development trajectory of striker Artem Dovbyk, and a notable shift in the team`s captaincy structure, which will see Lorenzo Pellegrini`s role altered.
A New Approach to Captaincy
AS Roma is set to implement a new system for designating its captain, with the armband now being awarded to the player with the highest number of appearances for the club. Under this new hierarchy, Stephan El Shaarawy currently leads with 320 appearances, followed by Bryan Cristante (318), Lorenzo Pellegrini (316), and Gianluca Mancini (274). Gasperini clarified that this rotation means Pellegrini, who has served as the official captain since 2021, will no longer be the sole holder of the armband.
“The issue of the armband is not a problem,” Gasperini asserted. “We will adopt a system that has always functioned exceptionally well: giving the armband to the player with the most appearances. For me, there are 7-8 captains, and I hope that number can grow to 15 or even 20. Captains are those who play for the team and demonstrate immense dedication. The only established hierarchy will be based on appearances, nothing else. As for Lorenzo [Pellegrini], he is currently recovering and has started individual training in Rome to enhance his preparation.”
Regarding recent discussions surrounding a video titled “Echeverri, who he is and what he can bring to Roma: from 4 goals against Juve to his love for River,” the topic of Echeverri`s potential arrival was later addressed by Gasperini himself.
Evaluating Striker Artem Dovbyk
Gasperini also shared his thoughts on striker Artem Dovbyk, who is currently vying for a central attacking position within the squad. “Dovbyk is a center-forward who was acquired for a considerable fee and performed admirably in Spain. Overall, he managed to score a respectable number of goals even in his first year in Italy. He is undoubtedly a valuable striker, and our purpose here is to work on and rectify his deficiencies. I concentrate extensively on off-the-ball movements and intelligent runs, as these are crucial in determining a player`s ability to participate effectively in play, to be either proactive or reactive. It`s much like being in tune in music – having the right timing. And he has significant potential to improve in this aspect.”
Strategic Reinforcement in Attack
The coach concluded by discussing the ongoing search for an attacking winger and emphasized the clear distinction between merely `completing` the squad and truly `strengthening` it. “I do not speak about Echeverri because I am accustomed to only discussing players who are officially part of my squad. I respect Roma`s scouting efforts, and based on my knowledge, I can offer suggestions. Naturally, I appreciate all talented players.” Echeverri, it is well known, is a skilled left-sided attacking midfielder.
“We already have a largely formed team, though perhaps in some roles, our numbers are a bit thin, especially considering the extensive number of games we will play. However, completing the squad is one matter, and strengthening it is entirely another. How many players are needed? It depends on our ultimate ambitions. Everything hinges on how formidable we want to be in attack; it is there that we will largely define the team`s overall strength. After all, every team is seeking top attackers, which is why significant transfer fees are involved. The offensive department is the most sought-after and expensive, and when you possess strong attacking players, you inherently become more competitive.”
Finally, Gasperini provided an update on Paulo Dybala: “Paulo is currently undergoing personalized training, recovering from his recent surgery. It is a situation that requires careful monitoring. We are hopeful that he can rejoin the main group next week when we return to Rome.”
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