Hermoso praises Roma's attractive football ahead of Fiorentina clash

Younés El Aynaoui, a former Moroccan tennis player and father of Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, has given an interview to FIFA's official channels discussing his son's football career and mentality. Younés revealed that Neil initially showed more interest in tennis while the family lived in Barcelona, but discovered his true passion for football between ages 10 and 11, inspired by Barcelona's culture. His mother, who has close ties to AS Nancy, encouraged the switch. Younés noticed his son's potential when he began training at CREPS Nancy, displaying superior physical abilities and unwavering commitment. Younés described his contribution to Neil's development as an athlete, emphasizing discipline in diet, sleep, and injury prevention—habits learned from his own tennis background. He stressed that the family ensured football remained Neil's personal project rather than a parental dream. Walid Regragui, Morocco's coach, reportedly praised Neil's professionalism and work ethic, drawing a comparison between father and son. Younés said: "Logically, one should not change anything about one's daily routine. You shouldn't delude yourself into thinking you can do something sensational, because trying to do everything perfectly can generate tension. For Neil, the World Cup is there every day, every time he trains." Younés highlighted that Neil, though appearing shy and gentle, possesses a strong character and extraordinary football knowledge. He trains at the highest level regardless of tournament context, maintaining focus and avoiding overwork in the lead-up to major competitions.

Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui featured in Morocco's 1-1 draw against Brazil at the MetLife Stadium in the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first Roma player to debut in the tournament. He was satisfied with his team's performance despite the challenging match. "For the content of the game, I think we played the match we wanted to play. We are satisfied with the performance and now we are focused on Scotland," he said in the post-match zone. El Aynaoui spoke positively about his midfield partnership with Ayoub El Kaabi, noting their understanding both on and off the pitch. The midfielder addressed his future at Roma directly, confirming his commitment to the club ahead of the new season. "I am doing well at Roma, very well. Will I stay? Yes, of course," he stated. Looking ahead, El Aynaoui and Morocco are now preparing for their next World Cup fixture against Scotland, shifting focus from their opening match against Brazil. He expressed confidence in the squad's ability to compete at the highest level: "We know we can play matches of this level. We are convinced that this squad has the qualities to do great things in the tournament."

Manu Koné, Roma's midfielder, addressed his immediate future while on France national team duty ahead of the nation's World Cup 2026 opener against Senegal on Tuesday. When asked about reported interest from Inter, Koné stated: "Sincerely at this moment I think only about the World Cup. It's my first big international competition, a tournament I've always dreamed of playing in. I want to stay focused exclusively on this. We'll talk about the future after the World Cup and we'll see what happens." Koné's final months at Roma were disrupted by two hamstring injuries that affected his season. Despite these setbacks, he expressed confidence in his recovery and his ability to contribute for France. He emphasized his readiness to serve the team when called upon, noting that he featured regularly during qualifying. The midfielder reflected on his journey with pride, recalling watching France's 2022 final campaign from Germany while playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach at that time. Regarding the Senegal match, Koné stressed France's preparation and intentions: "We've prepared well. We've played two friendlies that will be useful to us in the future. We're adapting to the heat and I hope we'll be ready against Senegal to start well in the competition. It's the first match and we must win it to get off on the right foot."

Roma's incoming sporting director Tony D'Amico will need to reinforce the defence alongside the planned attacking overhaul, with the club facing potential squad gaps depending on Ndicka's future. Although the attack is the primary focus—built around Malen and Dybala with Pellegrini in support—the defence will require significant investment. The backline was Roma's strongest asset under Gasperini's management this season, forming the foundation for Champions League qualification, but numerical reinforcement is essential. With Kumbulla set to return, Ziolkowski departing for game time, and Ndicka's status uncertain due to Financial Fair Play concerns, Roma would be left with only four senior centre-backs (Hermoso, Mancini, Ghilardi, and possibly Ndicka) for a demanding season requiring at least two players per position. That would leave two additional defenders short. Several targets have been identified. Oosterwolde is viewed as a promising profile but carries a price tag of €20–25 million, becoming viable mainly if Ndicka departs. Bologna's Lucumì, available on an expiring contract, is another option at roughly €20 million—far lower than Bologna's initial €28 million demand. Solet represents an ideal profile but costs at least €25 million and Inter are already advanced in negotiations. Muharemovic is ready to leave Sassuolo, though domestic competition is driving up his price. Gasperini has been clear that Roma needs experienced, quality defenders—both a high-level starter and a reliable backup.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has signalled to AS Roma's leadership that he wants to keep the club's defensive core intact for the coming season. The four pillars of the backline—goalkeeper Mile Svilar, defenders Gianluca Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso—are central to Gasperini's plans as he aims to build on Roma's recent stability. Svilar is regarded as an exceptional goalkeeper whom the club cannot afford to lose. Hermoso's annual renewal clause was exercised in May, while Mancini has been secured by Gasperini and awaits a contract extension with no doubts surrounding his future. Ndicka, the final member of the quartet, has been subject to months of speculation about a potential departure, but losing a centre-back of his quality does not appeal to Gasperini. Gasperini's emphasis on defensive continuity reflects the improvements made during his tenure. Roma's defence conceded only 31 goals in the recently concluded Serie A campaign, the second-best record in the division. After an initial period of adaptation, the coach established stability at the back. By retaining this defensive foundation, Gasperini intends to push Roma even higher in the league standings. The club faces the challenge of balancing Gasperini's clear wishes to maintain squad cohesion while managing various contract situations and transfer rumours affecting the group.

Roma have appointed Tony D'Amico as their new sporting director following the departure of Frederic Massara, who left amid a dispute with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. D'Amico and Gasperini previously worked together at Atalanta. The club has already secured Donyell Malen on a permanent deal and extended Mario Hermoso's contract as part of their summer activity. With Financial Fair Play obligations to meet, Roma's primary focus will be strengthening their attacking options. Mason Greenwood of Olympique Marseille is a key target, though his fee could reach approximately €50 million. Greenwood has scored 48 goals and provided 17 assists in 81 appearances for Marseille. Roma are also monitoring RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa and West Ham's Crysencio Summerville, though no concrete moves have been made for either. The club does not view acquiring another centre-forward as a pressing priority. Matías Soulé may be sold to a Premier League club as part of Roma's financial planning, while the club will consider offers for midfielder Manu Koné and defender Evan N'Dicka. Losing Soulé could be offset by landing a marquee forward, though Roma's willingness to spend heavily on a single player remains unclear.