Falcao backs Gasperini to win the Scudetto at Roma; reveals 1991 coaching approach never materialised

Jamie Gittens has struggled to replicate his Borussia Dortmund form since joining Chelsea in summer 2025 for more than €50 million. The English winger, who arrived at Dortmund from Manchester City's academy in 2020 at age 16, had emerged as one of Europe's most exciting attacking prospects during the 2024–25 season, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists while leading the Bundesliga with an average of 4.2 successful dribbles per match—well ahead of rivals Jamie Leweling, Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman. He also ranked second across Europe's top five leagues for successful dribbles that season with 76, behind only Lamine Yamal. At Chelsea, however, Gittens has managed only 29 appearances, two goals and six assists, hampered by muscular injuries and rotation policy despite the arrival of manager Xabi Alonso. The 2004-born winger's career at Dortmund was marked by repeated setbacks—a serious ankle ligament injury early in his development and a shoulder injury interrupted his progress before his breakthrough in the 2023–24 Champions League season. Gittens scored in a crucial match against AC Milan at San Siro that helped Dortmund reach the knockout stages. His 2024–25 campaign under Nuri Sahin and then Nico Kovac saw him finally deliver on his enormous potential with clinical finishing and elite dribbling. The article suggests Gian Piero Gasperini and Roma could provide the right environment for him to rediscover that form and reignite his trajectory.

Sebino Nela, the legendary Roma defender and 1982–83 Scudetto winner, has assessed Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the transfer deadline, which falls in less than two weeks. Nela believes Roma has improved but still requires reinforcements in two areas: a wide midfielder and a winger striker. "The Roma has still need of a wide midfielder and of a winger striker," Nela told Il Tempo. "The season is long, there are three competitions and it is important to have a deep squad. In the football of five substitutions, having a bench of level can make the difference." On the summer arrivals, Nela praised Castro and Molina but urged patience with Koulierakis, who is adapting to Italian football. He remains cautious about Rodrigo Mora as an attacking option, questioning whether his profile matches what the team needs despite Gasperini's backing. However, Nela acknowledged that if Mora flourishes under the coach's guidance, "a day, maybe, he will become a new Dybala, especially if he follows the coach's indications." He suggested a strong one-on-one player capable of scoring goals would complete an attack already bolstered by Soulé, Dybala, Mora, and Pellegrini.

Sebino Nela, who played for Roma between 1981 and 1992, has given his assessment of the club's prospects ahead of the new Serie A season. Speaking to Il Tempo, the former defender backed Roma to secure another Champions League place and expressed hope that the Scudetto could arrive in the season leading to the club's centenary. "Bisogna dare continuità conquistando un'altra partecipazione in Champions League. Scudetto? Spero di festeggiarlo quanto prima e sarebbe meraviglioso se accadesse nella stagione che porta al centenario," he said. Nela believes Roma still need reinforcements before the window closes. He identified an attacking winger and a wide midfielder as priorities, arguing that squad depth is essential across a long season with three competitions and five substitutes in use. On the existing squad, he praised Castro and Molina as "acquisti" (signings) and said Koulierakis requires time to adapt to Italian football. He suggested Rodrigo Mora could develop into a world-class talent under Gasperini but lacks the one-on-one ability and goal threat that would complete the attack aux côté Soulé, Dybala and Pellegrini. Nela flagged Koné and El Aynaoui as players with significant room for improvement based on their World Cup performances. Ahead of the opening fixture against Fiorentina, he suggested that while Paratici's summer recruitment has been substantial, Roma's individual quality could prove decisive in the season opener.

Gasperini confirmed Wesley fit to start in Roma's opening match against Fiorentina after the Brazilian trained with the squad and shook off a minor issue from recent days. Wesley is expected to replicate his debut performance against Bologna. The only remaining selection question in attack centres on Gasperini's choice between Mora and Soulé. In the transfer market, Roma are pursuing Chelsea winger Gittens, though the London club are resisting a loan deal and demanding a permanent move. The situation is complicated by the wider transfer movements at Chelsea, particularly involving Mudryk, whose future could directly influence the Blues' stance on Gittens. Luis Henrique remains the leading target on the left flank, with Oosterwolde also back on Roma's radar. Rodrigo Taddei visited Trigoria to welcome his namesake, offering a special greeting to the incoming Portuguese player.

Roma are considering Chelsea winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as a potential attacking reinforcement in the final days of the transfer window. According to reports, the club has made direct contact with Chelsea, though the English side want a permanent transfer while Roma are pushing for a loan. The winger is viewed as an ideal fit for Gasperini's football and represents a low-cost opportunity with wages aligned to Roma's wage structure, though negotiations remain at an early stage. Roma's Serie A campaign begins on Monday 24 August at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico against Fiorentina. Gasperini has received an injury boost with Wesley available after recovering from an ankle problem and ready to start at left-back. Niccolò Pisilli has also returned to group training but is expected to begin on the bench, while Lorenzo Pellegrini's recovery will take longer as he targets inclusion in the squad for the 5 September fixture against Atalanta. The club continues to monitor other targets including Dutch defender Jayden Oosterwolde, who represents an attractive profile for his versatility and was first approached in June.

Roma begin their 2026–27 Serie A campaign at the Olimpico on Monday night against Fiorentina, fresh from securing Champions League football via third place last season. Bookmakers have installed the Giallorossi as clear favourites: a Roma win is priced at 1.60 on Snai, a draw at 4.00, and a Fiorentina victory at 5.75. Four of the last five meetings between the clubs have produced at least three goals combined, as have all of Roma's pre-season friendlies, making Over (1.86) slightly favoured over Under (1.91). Gasperini is expected to deploy two forwards with Paulo Dybala in support, though new signing Rodrigo Mora is anticipated to start on the bench. Santiago Castro, Roma's new number 9, leads the goalscorer markets at 2.40, narrowly ahead of Dybala and Donyell Malen, both at 2.50. Among the wider options, Nahuel Molina is quoted at 12.00 and Wesley at 9.00. Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini are priced at 7.50 and 12.00 respectively. The exact scoreline deemed most likely is 1–0 to Roma at 7.00, followed by 2–0 and 1–1 at 7.50 each.