Gasperini's plan to restore Malen to peak form as Roma step up recovery work in Wales

Gian Piero Gasperini cancelled a scheduled interview with Sky Sport on 7 August, declining to discuss Roma's transfer activity and the club's pre-season training camp in Wales. Instead, the coach held a meeting with Roma's ownership at their Hensol resort base, focusing on the status of ongoing negotiations. The gathering included CEO John Galantic and centred on contract renewals, inbound moves, and player departures. Two deals were discussed: Lorenzo Pellegrini has formally agreed to renew his contract for one season, but paperwork remains unsigned. The Molina transfer is reportedly agreed in all its aspects but awaits a final procedural step. Gasperini's decision to skip the media appearance reflects the urgency of Roma's summer business with less than three weeks until Fiorentina visit the Olimpico for Serie A's opening day on 24 August. The club needs to accelerate its market activity, and the coach appears determined to prioritise action over words. Roma departed Wales for England on 7 August afternoon. Fans will next hear from Gasperini after Brighton's match against Roma, though the reference to waiting for Godot suggests uncertainty around whether clarity will then arrive.

Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales is drawing to a close, with Gian Piero Gasperini's squad preparing for a final warm-up fixture before returning to Italy. The penultimate day at Vale Resort in Hensol saw the players divided between a morning gym session focused on muscle strength and an afternoon programme of small-sided matches and intensive athletic work. Donyell Malen, sidelined by illness in recent days, is completing his recovery and pushing to feature in the next friendly. Today marks the end of the British training camp. Roma will hold a final morning session before lunch, then depart for Cardiff Airport at an unspecified time, flying by charter to London at 17.40. From Gatwick, the squad will travel by coach to Brighton to prepare for the tour's final test: a match against Brighton on Saturday afternoon at 16.00 (Italian time). The fixture offers a stern examination of Premier League opposition before Roma return to Italy. The training period has been intensive and valuable, consolidating the tactical identity built in the previous season. After the Brighton encounter, the squad will head home, concluding the overseas phase of their pre-season preparations.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has made a significant gesture towards AS Roma by signalling his willingness to renew his contract, accepting terms for a single year—potentially with an option for a second year subject to certain conditions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been instrumental in keeping lines of communication open with the midfielder, consistently expressing his desire to continue working with Pellegrini in his second season at the club. The two remain in regular contact. Roma's board has long delayed formal action on a renewal offer, but is now prepared to present an official proposal to the player. As of the evening of 6 August, no official offer had yet been formally submitted. Pellegrini's willingness to accept a reduced contract term reflects his commitment to remaining in the Giallorossi colours, despite the protracted nature of negotiations over the summer. Gasperini's backing has been crucial to narrowing the gap between the club and its captain, signalling that Pellegrini remains central to the coach's plans.

Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales is drawing to a close, with Gian Piero Gasperini's squad preparing for a final warm-up fixture before returning to Italy. The penultimate day at Vale Resort in Hensol saw the players divided between a morning gym session focused on muscle strength and an afternoon programme of small-sided matches and intensive athletic work. Donyell Malen, sidelined by illness in recent days, is completing his recovery and pushing to feature in the next friendly. Today marks the end of the British training camp. Roma will hold a final morning session before lunch, then depart for Cardiff Airport at an unspecified time, flying by charter to London at 17.40. From Gatwick, the squad will travel by coach to Brighton to prepare for the tour's final test: a match against Brighton on Saturday afternoon at 16.00 (Italian time). The fixture offers a stern examination of Premier League opposition before Roma return to Italy. The training period has been intensive and valuable, consolidating the tactical identity built in the previous season. After the Brighton encounter, the squad will head home, concluding the overseas phase of their pre-season preparations.

Donyell Malen trained with Roma's squad on 6 August after recovering from a fever that had forced him to miss a friendly against Newport. The forward is expected to be available for Roma's fixture at Brighton on 10 August, which kicks off at 16:00 Italian time. Roma will fly to Brighton on the afternoon of 7 August to continue their pre-season preparations. The Giallorossi are in the final days of their training camp at Cardiff, with their Serie A campaign set to begin in 18 days against Fiorentina. Following the Brighton test match, Roma will return to Trigoria for the last two weeks of training before the season kicks off.

AS Roma unveiled its new away kit for the 2026–27 season on 6 August, two weeks after the launch of the home jersey. The away shirt returns to white—a cream tone—after last season's orange, featuring a horizontal giallorossi band across the chest with the ASR crest at its centre. The design echoes the third kit worn in the previous season. The club shared images of squad members modelling the new strip on social media. Defenders Mancini and N'Dicka, midfielders Cristante and Wesley, forwards Dybala and Malen, and goalkeeper Vaz all featured in the photoshoot. The unveiling comes as Gasperini's Roma continues its preparation for the campaign ahead, having already debuted the home kit in competitive fixtures.

Roma secured a 4-1 victory over Newport County in their second pre-season friendly in Wales, bouncing back from a heavy defeat to Cardiff. New arrivals Castro and Koulierakis both found the net, along with Hermoso and Soulé, in a convincing performance at a League Two side. Hermoso opened the scoring with a run from deep while operating as a centre midfielder alongside El Aynaoui, and also earned the penalty that Castro converted from the spot for the 2-0 lead. Castro added a second goal later in the match, with Koulierakis also getting on the scoresheet. Gasperini deployed his favoured formation featuring a playmaker—Cristante in this instance—and two strikers, pairing Dybala with Castro. Although Roma asserted early control, they managed the game more efficiently once ahead, allowing both new signings and Soulé to capitalize on chances created.

Roma defeated Newport 4–1 in a pre-season fixture against the League Two side, with standout performances from players operating in new roles. Mario Hermoso played as a central midfielder alongside Neil El Aynaoui, opening the scoring with a run from deep and earning the penalty that led to Roma's second goal. Castro converted that spot-kick and added a second later in the match, while Koulierakis also found the net as Roma sealed a comfortable victory. Gasperini deployed a familiar attacking shape with a number 10 and two forwards, pairing Paulo Dybala with Castro in the final third and Cristante behind them. The midfield experiment with Hermoso proved effective, offering Roma creative options from a deeper position. Once Roma established control, the side managed the encounter well to secure the win. The positive takeaway extends beyond the scoreline: the goals from Castro and Koulierakis provided encouraging early evidence of attacking depth as Roma continue their pre-season preparations.

Roma's vice-president Ryan Friedkin attended the club's match at Newport County on 4 August, as the club's delegation travelled to Wales for the pre-season fixture. Alongside Friedkin, Roma's hierarchy including Gandler and Galantic were present for the encounter. El Aynaoui returned to the squad for the Newport match after a recent absence. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's attacking options remained depleted, with five forwards unavailable. The club continued to pursue transfer targets, with Castro among those in contention for selection. Roma's recruitment efforts also focused on alternative options as the club worked on reinforcements for the season ahead. The visit underlined the Friedkin Group's continued involvement in the club's operations and pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Jan Ziółkowski has opened up about his development at Roma during the club's summer training camp in Wales, highlighting the influence of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Polish football legend Zibi Boniek in his growth. Speaking to SiamolaRoma.it, the defender reflected on a difficult early moment when he was substituted after 30 minutes on his starting debut against Viktoria Plzen in late October, calling it a valuable lesson: "Chiaramente è stata una sensazione molto brutta. Era il mio esordio e forse stavo cercando di strafare. Il mister cerca sempre di fare il meglio per la squadra e di vincere le partite e ha deciso di sostituirmi. Ma io l'ho accettato e l'ho messo alle spalle." Ziółkowski credited experienced defenders Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka with helping him settle and improve. He also praised goalkeeper Mile Svilar's reliability: "È una bella sensazione. È rassicurante sapere di avere alle spalle uno come Mile. Per me è un portiere di classe mondiale e rende anche il mio compito più facile." On Roma's return to the Champions League this season, Ziółkowski expressed excitement: "Sarà un'emozione unica giocare la competizione migliore al mondo, dove dovremo fare del nostro meglio. Ce la siamo conquistata meritatamente la scorsa stagione." He also discussed his ongoing communication with Boniek, saying the veteran "mi dice sempre di essere me stesso" and offers honest feedback when required.

AS Roma unveiled its new away kit for the 2026–27 season on 6 August, two weeks after the launch of the home jersey. The away shirt returns to white—a cream tone—after last season's orange, featuring a horizontal giallorossi band across the chest with the ASR crest at its centre. The design echoes the third kit worn in the previous season. The club shared images of squad members modelling the new strip on social media. Defenders Mancini and N'Dicka, midfielders Cristante and Wesley, forwards Dybala and Malen, and goalkeeper Vaz all featured in the photoshoot. The unveiling comes as Gasperini's Roma continues its preparation for the campaign ahead, having already debuted the home kit in competitive fixtures.

Evan N'Dicka has reaffirmed his commitment to Roma during the club's pre-season preparations, saying he has never considered departing despite summer transfer speculation. The defender, now in his fourth season at the club and a leader of Gasperini's defence since 2023, spoke at the Hensol training camp after returning from injury. N'Dicka revealed that he focused solely on recovery and his World Cup preparation at the end of last season rather than entertaining thoughts of leaving. "I don't have control over the rumours that come out, I've never thought of going away," he said. "I'm here in Rome and I'm very ready to help the squad and to fight for this shirt." The Ivorian centre-back discussed his experience at the World Cup, where he was unable to feature after his country's elimination despite preparing extensively for the tournament. He also addressed the incident at Udine—the medical emergency that occurred during a match—saying: "I was afraid but right after I was told it wasn't serious and I felt reassured. It was nice to feel the closeness of De Rossi and my other teammates." N'Dicka reflected on his role as a senior player, noting that Lorenzo Pellegrini and José Mourinho helped him settle when he arrived. He praised new defensive teammate Kostas Tsimikas, saying there was "already an understanding" between them, and expressed admiration for defenders Franco Baresi and Sergio Ramos as models for his position.