Padovan: Roma can fight for the Scudetto this season

Sergio Oliveira, the former Roma midfielder who spent six months at the club and won the Europa Conference League in Tirana, has endorsed Rodrigo Mora, the 19-year-old Portuguese talent who has arrived at Roma this summer. Speaking to Il Romanista, Oliveira praised Mora's undeniable talent and potential for growth, saying: "His talent is indeniable. He is still very young and has ample room for improvement, but he has already demonstrated those qualities and that character that suggest he has all the credentials to succeed at Roma." Oliveira drew on his own experience to advise the young midfielder on adapting to life at the club. He emphasised the unique nature of Roma as an institution, describing it as more than just a football team. "You need to feel the club, the shirt and everything they represent," he explained. Oliveira highlighted the importance of building a connection with the supporters and learning from experienced teammates, noting that the Stadio Olimpico's atmosphere is unforgettable and can accelerate a young player's development. Oliveira, who made 174 appearances for Porto before joining Roma, also reflected on his own time in the Giallorossi colours. He expressed deep affection for the club and its fanbase, and backed Roma's return to the Champions League, describing it as the level where a club of Roma's stature belongs. He praised head coach Gasperini as "a coach with very clear and demanding ideas" under whom young talented players can grow significantly.

Former footballer Jeda has publicly endorsed Rodrigo Mora's move to Roma, urging the Brazilian to trust head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's methods. Jeda worked under Gasperini at Crotone, where he scored 15 goals in 42 matches, and shared his experience on Instagram and later in a radio interview with Radio Romanista. Jeda emphasised Gasperini's ability to elevate player performance through demanding training and tactical discipline. "If you want to grow, you have to trust him. That's what happened to me," Jeda explained, detailing how Gasperini's methodology transformed his physical condition within a month and helped him play 42 matches without injury in Serie B. He compared Mora's potential trajectory to Alejandro Papu Gomez's evolution at Atalanta, where the Argentine reinvented himself from a winger into a decisive attacking force. "He is young, has very important characteristics and has accumulated appearances with Porto. He is in an important period of growth and with him he can make the leap," Jeda said of Mora. Jeda expressed confidence in Gasperini's longer-term vision for Roma, saying the coach has reached "a level of intelligence that allows him to understand the road to follow." He believes Gasperini's work last season was "only the beginning of a journey that can be very important" and that Roma will compete strongly this season despite needing additional squad depth, particularly due to Champions League demands.

Roma radio pundits debated the club's transfer activity on 20 August, with analyst Lorenzo Pes cautioning against departing with key squad members. Speaking on Teleradiostereo, Pes said: "The sale of an important player at this stage of the market would be a problem if Soulé or Koné left: you would have to replace them in a significant way." He noted that Jan Ziółkowski has market interest and Roma could generate a healthy profit there instead. Ugo Trani, also from Teleradiostereo, assessed Roma as incomplete ahead of the window's close, saying the final market evaluation could range from 6.5 to 8 out of 10 depending on whether a major signing arrives. He discussed multiple targets: Cacciamani as the "easiest to take" but more of a versatile player than an out-and-out striker, Udogie as the preferred option though with cost complications, and Nkunku as a fit for Gasperini's system but at high expense. Piero Torri (Radio Manà Manà) backed Udogie over Cacciamani as a more structurally robust profile for a wide midfielder role. Paolo Marcacci (Radio Radio Mattino) flagged Manchester City's interest in Koné as a scenario to monitor, and suggested Fofana would have been a more useful acquisition than Mora for Roma's needs.