Koulierakis: Gasperini and Roma's style convinced me to join

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.

Kostas Koulierakis has made an immediate impact at Roma, scoring on his debut in a friendly against Newport on Tuesday. The Greek defender arrived only days ago and is competing with Mario Hermoso for a starting place in the back line. Koulierakis outlined his reasons for joining in an interview with Teleradiostereo 92.7. "When Roma called me I didn't think twice," he said. "Roma is one of the most important clubs in Italy and has an incredible fanbase. We're talking about a team performing very well and always aiming high." The 24-year-old revealed that Konstantinos Manolas, a Roma legend and fellow Greek player, played a key role in his decision. "We spoke during the summer and call each other often. I explained to him how much I wanted a Serie A club, and when Roma came in he told me it would be a very important step in my career." Gasperini's tactical approach was equally decisive. Koulierakis stated: "One of the other reasons I chose Roma was the coach and his system of play, because I think it's particularly suited to my characteristics, especially as a left-sided centre-back. I spoke with Tsimikas about the club and the manager and he explained how demanding he is, but we've all seen how well he's done in recent years in Italy and Europe with Atalanta. I know it will be hard, but with a successful manager like this the foundations are the best."

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.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has joined Roma and reached the squad in Wales, allowing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to complete his central defence options with six defenders available for three positions. The arrival marks a significant milestone in Roma's history: Koulierakis becomes the tenth Greek player to wear the giallorossi shirt since 1995. The first Greek to play for Roma was Lambros Choutos, who served from 1995 to 2000 without leaving a lasting impression. Traianos Dellas followed from 2002 to 2005, also a centre-back. In the 2005–06 season, goalkeeper Dimitros Eleftheropoulos arrived but never appeared in a match. The 2012–13 campaign saw Panagiotis Tachtsidis and Vasilis Torosidis both arrive; Tachtsidis, under Zeman, notably displaced Daniele De Rossi but lasted only one season amid controversy, while Torosidis, a reliable right-back, is remembered for a fine goal at San Siro against Inter in the Coppa Italia. Holebas, a left-back, also features in Roma's Greek heritage after scoring a notable goal at the Olimpico against Inter in front of the Curva Sud. Keramitsis made his debut in 2022 under Mou. The two most recent arrivals are Manolas and Kostas Tsimikas—one remembered eternally, the other already forgotten.