Mourinho emotionally reflects on Roma during interview

Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa, has spoken positively about Donyell Malen's transfer to AS Roma during the winter transfer window. Malen joined Roma on a loan deal with a right of purchase, leaving Villa after competition from fellow striker Watkins limited his playing time. Emery explained the reasoning behind allowing the Dutch forward to depart, stating that at Roma, Malen has found the ideal environment to develop his qualities. Emery believes Roma will exercise the option to make Malen's move permanent given his performance since arriving in the capital. The player has featured regularly for the Giallorossi, allowing him to showcase his abilities more consistently than he could at Villa Park. This move represents a fresh start for Malen at a club where he has the opportunity to be a primary attacking option. Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of Villa's Europa League semifinal first leg against Nottingham Forest, Emery said: "Malen is an excellent player. Here he had competition from Watkins, so he played less for that reason and I thought he should play more as a striker. At times he played alongside Watkins, so I believe at Roma he is finding the perfect spot and has played all the matches to exploit his qualities and score goals. I am very happy for him because he is also a good lad. And I hope he continues to score goals." Emery confirmed the arrangement: "It is a loan with a right of purchase that Roma, given the results, will exercise. And for this reason I repeat that I am very happy for him, because he is a good lad and a good player."

Former striker Nicola Ventola has expressed strong admiration for Donyell Malen during an episode of the podcast Viva El Futbol. Ventola, who played for Bari, Inter, and Atalanta during his career, highlighted Malen's technical quality and work rate since the attacker's arrival at Roma in January's transfer window. Malen has already scored 11 league goals this season. Ventola praised Malen's movement and positioning, noting his intelligence in reading defensive play and his ability to find space away from the penalty area. He emphasized that Malen consistently makes the correct decisions in his first touch and positioning relative to defenders, even when his back is turned. The former attacker described Malen as a player he "did not know" to this level before watching him play for Roma. Ventola said: "Malen does everything right, because he also has intensity in the right movements: the first touch in plays, but not just in the area when he scores, precisely how he gets into position. He always knows where the defender is, even with his back turned. Many times I made that movement wrong, because maybe I thought he was following me; he instead always makes the right movement and manages, with his posture, to always be in a position to attack, even when far from the area. So he is a player that honestly I did not know like this: he is extraordinary. What surprises me is that you never see him tired. This surprises me, because he is a sprinter: he sprints, sprints and sprints... and you always see him rested, always sharp."

Former Roma striker Ciccio Graziani has dismissed speculation about Fabio Paratici joining Roma as sporting director, calling it a significant blow to the club's image. Speaking on Radio Bruno's Pentasport programme, Graziani stated: "Can I think of something so stupid? From an image perspective it would be an enormous loss of credibility." He also highlighted contractual obstacles, noting that Paratici remains under contract with his current employer for five years. Rumours about Paratici's possible arrival have circulated in recent days as Roma evaluates candidates to potentially replace current sporting director Massara. The speculation reflects ongoing changes in the club's administrative structure. However, Graziani's strong rejection underscores reservations about the move within football circles. According to reports, Roma is considering several profiles for the position. Tony D'Amico tops the list of candidates, while Giovanni Manna and Cristiano Giuntoli remain less prominent options. The club continues its search at Trigoria as it plans for potential changes in its sporting leadership.