Gasperini Effect: Roma Squad Value Rises €150m in One Year

Roma are monitoring Georgian forward Kvernadze ahead of the January transfer window, with the club looking to fill an attacking vacancy that remained unfilled in the summer. Kvernadze has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists across league and cup this season, building on strong performances in Serie B last year, displaying physical presence, aggression and execution speed. An unexpected advantage in any pursuit is already in place at Trigoria: Alessandro Frara, the former youth academy director who arrived this summer from Frosinone, is working closely with sporting director Tony D'Amico and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Frara will have already briefed both the director and the coach on every aspect of the player, covering both personal background and purely tactical considerations. The financial margins of any deal remain unclear at present, though Frosinone could be approaching safety or close to it if they lose Kvernadze in January.

Rodrigo Mora has spoken about his ambitions at Roma following his summer transfer from Porto, expressing determination to succeed after a positive debut followed by three consecutive appearances on the bench. The midfielder praised Paulo Dybala as a source of inspiration and support during his early days at the club: "He is someone I admired as a child, now to be able to play and train with him…to see the things he does, that few do…He is a humble person and has helped me a lot in this beginning at Roma. I like him as a player and as a person. I am grateful to be able to play at his side." Mora reflected on leaving Porto, where he spent a significant period: "Goodbyes are never easy. It was difficult. It was a long period, it was my home. It will always be my home. All cycles close, they can reopen later. I leave with a full heart, I was a champion with my club. I leave as a champion and will continue to be another Porto fan, now supporting them from Italy. I wish them good luck. I know things are going well, I hope they continue like that and that the second Scudetto arrives." He explained his decision to join Roma this summer as driven by the need for a new challenge in a competitive league: "I knew I needed a new challenge in my life. I am grateful for all these years, but it was what I wanted, a new challenge in a competitive championship like the Italian one." Mora has already made his Champions League debut for Roma, which he called "an important step". He outlined his ambitions: "Now I want to have a good season at Roma. I hope to win titles at Roma and to play the best football possible. We are in a good phase, but it is a very competitive championship. We are on the right path." On his prospects with Portugal's national team, he added: "National Team football is everyone's dream. I have already been called up twice, I got injured. That is part of the game, we have a dream. Step by step, and continuing to work, one day it will be realised."

Roma have not filled the left-wing attacking position during the summer transfer window despite head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requesting the move since his arrival. The club is now focusing on younger targets for January or later, with Giorgi Kvernadze, the 23-year-old Georgian winger at Frosinone, emerging as a leading prospect. Kvernadze has delivered an outstanding start to the season with three goals and one assist in five matches. A natural left winger who shoots right-footed, the class of 2003 player can operate across the attacking line and could follow the same path as Matías Soulé, who moved from Frosinone to Roma. However, Napoli and Fiorentina are also tracking him. Director D'Amico has placed Kvernadze on a list of prospects representing a youth-focused approach, with comparisons being drawn to fellow Georgian Kvaratskhelia. The search for an attacking left winger has stretched across three transfer windows without success. Kvernadze could potentially repeat Soulé's trajectory from the Frosinone academy to the capital. Alongside Kvernadze, Roma are monitoring Darryl Bakola, an 18-year-old French midfielder at Sassuolo. The club had targeted Bakola last year before Sassuolo signed him from Marseille in January for €10 million. A box-to-box midfielder with technical ability and strong attacking projection, Bakola is being viewed by Gasperini and D'Amico as a comparable prospect to Manu Koné or as a future version of Ederson in his Atalanta days. Juventus, led by Sassuolo's former director Carnevali, are also competing for Bakola's signature. Roma will continue contact with both clubs in the coming weeks.

Roma's radio pundits have delivered their verdicts on the club's title credentials and recent form, with particular focus on goalkeeper Mile Svilar's importance, Leonardo Balerdi's unexpected impact, and concerns over player availability. Nando Orsi told Radio Radio Mattino that Roma were constructed this season to compete for the Serie A title, though he noted few say so openly for superstitious reasons. "The Inter have calculative deficiencies that need to be fixed," he said. "Roma is strong and capable; it just needs to manage its forces. Those who say otherwise do so out of superstition. Roma has a strong squad—Saturday's match confirmed they are among the strongest. Juventus, Milan and Napoli don't seem like teams that can compete: they are too inconsistent. Roma and Inter instead are more ready at a technical and squad level." Orsi added that despite Inter's perceived weakness, Roma remain genuine contenders. Lorenzo Pes highlighted Svilar as a decisive factor for Roma's defence. "Compared to several competitors, including Inter and Como, Roma can boast an element that gives security to the defence and to those watching," he said. "A goalkeeper who brings points is additional help. If Roma's squad can increase goals, it will become interesting, because so far most goals have come from Malen, Soulé and Pisilli." On the squad's recuperation, Simone Valdarchi noted that Lorenzo Pellegrini, despite fully recovering from injury, must still regain match rhythm through work at Trigoria in the coming weeks. Roberto Pruzzo called Leonardo Balerdi a positive surprise: "He is reactive, very practical and does not take unnecessary risks. On the defensive phase he is numerically sound and is added value." Mario Mattioli described Balerdi as an experienced player who made 200 appearances in the French league and is demonstrating his worth in Italy. Both Valdarchi and Piero Torri flagged concerns over the potential absence of Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina for Argentina's farewell tribute to Lionel Messi, with fixtures against Como imminent. Torri stated: "The fact that Roma doesn't view the possible departure of Dybala and Molina for Argentina's party favourably seems right to me. Facing two long trips hours before Como–Roma cannot be well regarded."

Roma's early-season form has sparked debate among Rome radio commentators about the club's ability to challenge for the Serie A title. Leonardo Balerdi, the defender who arrived this summer, has made an immediate impact that surprised analysts, though questions remain about the decision to bench Evan N'Dicka and the inconsistency of established players. Mattioli told Radio Radio that Balerdi "is a player of experience, he has played 200 matches in the French league. I'm pleased he came to Italy and is showing what he is worth." Pruzzo added: "I did not expect Balerdi's impact, it is a positive surprise. He is reactive, very practical and does not take risks when there is no need to. On the defensive phase he is numerically sound, he is an added value." Orsi struck a bullish tone about Roma's prospects, saying the squad was built to compete for the title this year and that Roma, alongside Inter, are more ready technically and in terms of squad depth than Juventus, Milan and Napoli, which he described as "too inconsistent." Carina offered a more measured assessment, praising Balerdi's impact but cautioning that benching N'Dicka—"the strongest in one-on-one marking in Serie A"—required courage. He criticised Gianluca Mancini's defending, saying "on the goal conceded by Roma there is his fingerprint," and suggested that with five matches played, it is premature to draw firm conclusions about title contenders, noting that Juventus and Milan remain close in points despite negative talk. Pes on Teleradiostereo highlighted Mile Svilar as a decisive advantage over rivals including Inter and Como, describing him as "a goalkeeper who brings points" and an element that provides security. Pes added that if Roma can increase their goalscoring output beyond the players currently delivering—Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli—the team will become genuinely interesting.

Mile Svilar has established himself as a cornerstone of Roma's defensive solidity nearly three years after joining the club. While Roma are not the league's meanest defence—Cagliari have conceded one fewer goal—Svilar's individual statistics are striking: three clean sheets in five Serie A matches this season, 13 saves total, and a success rate of 81.2 per cent across nineteen interventions, averaging 2.5 saves per match. The Serbian ranks on the podium for clean-sheet average among goalkeepers with at least 50 official appearances. Beyond the numbers, Svilar's strength lies in delivering one or two decisive interventions per match that routinely earn points for the team, with low-coming saves his signature move—a fundamental that showcases both his concentration and courage. The 26-year-old's commitment to Roma was tested this summer when the Friedkin Group rejected Premier League enquiries and a Juventus attempt valued at just over €40 million. Svilar made clear he wanted to stay in Rome at the club that restored his career when he arrived at 23. One significant regret shadows his career: international football. After progressing through Belgium's youth system, an appearance for Serbia in a friendly in September 2021 locked him out of the Belgium squad. Relations with Serbia have since broken down entirely, leaving Svilar outside the frame for any national team competition.

Roma's early-season form has sparked debate among Rome radio commentators about the club's ability to challenge for the Serie A title. Leonardo Balerdi, the defender who arrived this summer, has made an immediate impact that surprised analysts, though questions remain about the decision to bench Evan N'Dicka and the inconsistency of established players. Mattioli told Radio Radio that Balerdi "is a player of experience, he has played 200 matches in the French league. I'm pleased he came to Italy and is showing what he is worth." Pruzzo added: "I did not expect Balerdi's impact, it is a positive surprise. He is reactive, very practical and does not take risks when there is no need to. On the defensive phase he is numerically sound, he is an added value." Orsi struck a bullish tone about Roma's prospects, saying the squad was built to compete for the title this year and that Roma, alongside Inter, are more ready technically and in terms of squad depth than Juventus, Milan and Napoli, which he described as "too inconsistent." Carina offered a more measured assessment, praising Balerdi's impact but cautioning that benching N'Dicka—"the strongest in one-on-one marking in Serie A"—required courage. He criticised Gianluca Mancini's defending, saying "on the goal conceded by Roma there is his fingerprint," and suggested that with five matches played, it is premature to draw firm conclusions about title contenders, noting that Juventus and Milan remain close in points despite negative talk. Pes on Teleradiostereo highlighted Mile Svilar as a decisive advantage over rivals including Inter and Como, describing him as "a goalkeeper who brings points" and an element that provides security. Pes added that if Roma can increase their goalscoring output beyond the players currently delivering—Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli—the team will become genuinely interesting.

Serie A's governing body has issued disciplinary sanctions following the latest round of fixtures. Roma's Evan N'Dicka, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis have each received yellow cards from the Sports Judge. The Roma club itself was fined €3,000 for supporters throwing two firecrackers onto the pitch during the match. Inter received a total fine of €4,000: €3,000 for supporters directing an offensive chant at the opposing team's manager in the 45th minute of the second half, and a further €1,000 for supporters throwing a small bottle onto the pitch.

Twelve Roma players have been called up to their respective national teams during the international break, leaving Trigoria semi-empty: Ghilardi, Mancini, Balerdi, Soulé, Castro, Mora, Pisilli, Lulli, De Marzi, Koné, N'Dicka and Koulierakis will join their countries. Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley will remain in Rome, though their physical problems are not causing concern and they are expected to be available for the return fixture against Como. The extended pause—roughly twenty days of useful preparation—will allow many players to recover and recharge before a demanding run of fixtures begins. Marten de Roon, who arrived at the club in the closing stages of the transfer window, stands to benefit significantly from the break. The midfielder is not yet at full fitness and has yet to start a match under Gasperini, partly due to the coach's reluctance to rotate and partly because he accumulated zero minutes in his first two appearances under Sarri at Bergamo over the summer. De Roon is an established Gasperini player who understands the manager's tactical demands, and he is gradually carving out space in the Roma squad. The upcoming international break will provide crucial recovery time before the club faces an intense fixture schedule after the Como match, when the depth of the full squad will be needed.

Gian Piero Gasperini is refusing to ease off during the international break, instead using the coming weeks to prepare Roma for a late-autumn peak when his teams have historically shown their strongest form. While Inter gave their squad six days of complete rest, Gasperini has maintained high-intensity training at Trigoria, though the programme is inevitably shaped by the departure of twelve international players. The squad remaining in Rome includes Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina and Marten de Roon, alongside players requiring specific work—notably Wesley, who must build his athletic base, and Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is returning from a lengthy absence and has already begun an intensive programme to rejoin regular rotation. Gasperini is also considering organizing a friendly match that could involve some youth-team players. Gasperini's approach reflects a precise logic. His teams have consistently shown their best athletic performance between late autumn and early winter, when the benefits of summer preparation become fully absorbed. His most famous precedent came in his first Atalanta season, when six consecutive league wins in November 2016 transformed a team with survival as its target into a Europa League contender. Similar runs followed in 2021 and 2024. Roma have already started well despite not yet operating at full capacity—some new players are still integrating, others building fitness, and Pellegrini has barely begun his season. The stretch ahead will demand depth: the combination of league and Champions League fixtures will produce a sequence of closely spaced matches making it impossible to rely on the same eleven throughout. For this reason Gasperini does not want a pause. He wants a launchpad. The logic is that Roma have already built their league position during the summer; now the coach wants to prepare their bodies for autumn. If the pattern his squads have followed repeats itself, the strongest part of the season may still be to come.

Paulo Dybala has emerged as a rejuvenated force for Roma this season, but head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is demanding greater intensity in the final third. The Argentine forward has appeared in all six league and Champions League matches so far, accumulating 497 minutes across both competitions—third among Roma's outfield players behind Bryan Cristante (514 minutes) and Mario Hermoso (509 minutes)—yet remains goalless in his last 13 matches. Gasperini is pushing Dybala for more direct contributions, calling for increased sprints, dribbling and shots on goal as Roma prepare for the resumption of their campaign. Dybala arrives refreshed after a meticulously planned summer of physical conditioning work and targeted preparation during the current international break, his excellent fitness level unlocking a new dimension to his play. The 32-year-old has backed himself with a radical contract restructuring, accepting a 72 per cent salary reduction in exchange for a performance-based renewal built almost entirely around bonus payments. Under the new terms, Dybala earns an additional €100,000 for each match he starts with a minimum 45 minutes on the pitch, up to a maximum of 20 appearances—worth €2 million extra on top of his €2.2 million fixed salary. If he comes off the bench and plays at least 20 minutes, he receives €75,000 per appearance. From the 21st match with at least 45 minutes played, the bonus increases to €150,000 per game. The structure rewards consistency and performance, with more minutes and goals or assists driving higher earnings as Dybala aims to recapture his best form.

Paulo Dybala has rediscovered his form for Roma under Gasperini, free from the physical problems that plagued him and operating at an excellent athletic level. The manager now considers him the club's focal point but is asking for one addition: more clinical finishing to return to scoring regularly. Dybala, in his fifth season in giallorosso, has left behind the fragility of the past. With Gasperini he has found consistency, minutes and confidence: he runs, fights, sacrifices himself for the team. In this season's opening phase he has already played 497 minutes across six matches in Serie A and the Champions League, third in the squad for playing time behind Cristante and Hermoso. He has provided four decisive assists, the fruit of detailed summer preparation and targeted work during the international break that allowed him to miss no training. In the top-table clash against Inter he embodied this new spirit: 9.5 km covered, battling for every ball, defending, sacrifice and four shots at Martinez's goal. The only missing piece is the goal, which has eluded him since 13 matches ago, from 18 January against Torino. Gasperini now wants the Joya to become a finisher again, ending a drought that stretches back to January. This sits within a total growth process confirmed by his new contract: an agreement built on bonuses and incentives tied to appearances, goals and assists, a sign the Argentine has chosen to genuinely bet on himself and his future at Roma.