Gasperini to hold press conference tomorrow at 14:00

Roma defeated Lecce 4-0 on 31 August, with Manu Koné starting and playing a key role, hours after Chelsea were reported as potential suitors for the midfielder. Koné has been linked with several English clubs and was seen as a possible replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who could move to Manchester City. At his post-match press conference, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini firmly shut down the speculation. He stated: "Absolutely not, it's a media thing. No one has ever spoken to me about departures, not Koné or anyone else. Especially now, with just 24 hours to go before the transfer window closes." Gasperini also addressed the club's position, saying: "I also know that the owners aren't in favor of any sales. I don't know who has come forward because we've never received any official offers there either, so this too must be denied." Gasperini used the occasion to highlight Roma's current squad depth issues. He explained: "You can't always have Dybala and Malen. Today we only had two players on the bench in attack. We'll have Pellegrini and Rensch back. But you have to remember that there's always someone out. Today we lost Ndicka suddenly." He added: "Anyone who plays in the Champions League, in particular, must have a strong squad with players who don't feel the impact so severely when you lose someone, as happened last year at a certain point in the season. The owners are certainly putting in the effort, within what they can do, in cutting the number of signings they can achieve." With 24 hours remaining in the transfer window, Gasperini's comments reflected both the club's unwillingness to sell and Roma's continued need for reinforcements in attacking areas.

Gian Piero Gasperini has categorically dismissed reports linking midfielder Manu Koné with a move to Chelsea, calling the speculation purely a media creation. Rumours of the French midfielder's potential exit circulated on 31 August 2026, less than 24 hours before the transfer window closure. Gasperini stated: "Koné can leave? Absolutely not. It's a media thing. No one has ever spoken to me about exits—not just for Koné, but for anyone else at this moment, with less than 24 hours to the market closing. And I also know that the ownership does not agree with sales. I don't know who presented themselves, because we have never received any official offers either. So this is something to categorically deny." The head coach emphasised that neither the club nor its ownership have received any formal bids, and that no player departures are being considered in the final hours of the window.

Midfielder Rodrigo Mora spoke ahead of Roma's Serie A match against Lecce on matchday two, reflecting on his early adaptation to the club and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical instructions. Mora said the training sessions were demanding at first but that results are already showing. When asked what Gasperini has emphasized in recent weeks, Mora explained: "He asks me to open up, to play vertically, to play frontally and vertically as a first option." Mora acknowledged he has not yet had time to explore Rome properly, saying he is still completing his move. He expressed hope to meet Francesco Totti soon, noting that the club legend "was an idol for an entire generation." On his own performances, Mora said he was very pleased with both matches, describing the midfield position as one in which he finds himself "perfectly comfortable and settling in well." He added that his second appearance saw him play only the second half, following an impressive debut a week earlier.