Pellegrini ready to return after six months out, backs Roma's title ambitions

Roma are preparing a January move for Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens on loan, with head coach Gasperini already in agreement with the player. Gittens has struggled for first-team opportunities at Chelsea, appearing only 55 minutes in cup competition and never in the Premier League this season. His representatives have sought clarification from the club about a possible departure. Last summer Roma made a strong push to sign him, attracted by the prospect of reuniting him with Donyell Malen, with whom he played at Dortmund. Chelsea refused a loan deal at that time unless it involved midfielder Manu Koné in exchange. The situation is expected to shift in January. Alonso does not favour Gittens, and Chelsea are now open to a loan with a purchase option to prevent his value depreciating further. Roma remain interested and would be frontrunners if a deal materializes, given that Gittens had already agreed to join Gasperini's project. The club are also monitoring Frosinone's Giorgi Kvernadze, a Georgian player who has not yet received official contact but interests Gasperini for both the current season and future planning. Roma are considering blocking a move now ahead of a summer transfer, with a fee around €25 million being discussed for the 2027 window.

Radio commentators offered contrasting views on Roma's squad depth and title prospects ahead of the Como fixture. Piero Torri said Lorenzo Pellegrini could start, noting that despite arriving at 30 and having some difficult seasons, the captain has been a key player in strong campaigns. Torri acknowledged competition for the role from Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora, who have been on international duty. "I'm becoming convinced he could start from the beginning," Torri said of the number seven. Simone Valdarchi urged caution about Roma's championship credentials. "A good performance would lift you up even after a defeat," he said. "There's still a bit to go before the title contenders emerge. It's still too soon—maybe it won't take twenty matchdays as Gasperini says, but for now it's still too little, and it would still be too little even after Como."

Papu Gomez has declared that Roma can win the Serie A title this season. Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, the Argentine praised the club's credentials and highlighted his long working relationship with Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, under whom he played for several years at Atalanta and served as captain for five years. Gomez also welcomed a comparison Gasperini has made between him and Roma forward Paulo Dybala. Gomez believes Roma have the quality to challenge Inter for the scudetto, provided the squad and its key players remain fit. However, he acknowledged the difficulty of replicating Gasperini's sustained success. When asked whether Maurizio Sarri can open a winning cycle at Roma comparable to Gasperini's at Atalanta, Gomez said: "It will be very difficult to do a path like Gasperini did: ten years of success. I wish him well, but it's difficult. Then many things have to change because Sarri's football is not Gasperini's football. That squad, after so many years playing the same way with Gasperini, has to get used to playing different football. So let's hope Sarri has time and can build something important." Gomez stressed the affection he holds for Gasperini after their years together. "I know well the affection Gasperini has towards me, for all the years we lived, for what we built together. I was his captain for five years, so this is unforgettable. I'm pleased there is this comparison with great players like Dybala and let's hope he does very well there at Roma." On Roma's title chances, he concluded: "Easily. Today I see Roma as a strong squad, that knows how to play. If Roma is in health and the strong players are in health, for me it's the squad that can fight against Inter for the scudetto."

Radio commentators offered contrasting views on Roma's squad depth and title prospects ahead of the Como fixture. Piero Torri said Lorenzo Pellegrini could start, noting that despite arriving at 30 and having some difficult seasons, the captain has been a key player in strong campaigns. Torri acknowledged competition for the role from Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora, who have been on international duty. "I'm becoming convinced he could start from the beginning," Torri said of the number seven. Simone Valdarchi urged caution about Roma's championship credentials. "A good performance would lift you up even after a defeat," he said. "There's still a bit to go before the title contenders emerge. It's still too soon—maybe it won't take twenty matchdays as Gasperini says, but for now it's still too little, and it would still be too little even after Como."

Gianluca Mancini faces a crucial opportunity to revive his campaign in the coming matches, with the midfielder's armband at Como likely to fall to either Lorenzo Pellegrini or Mancini himself in the absence of Bryan Cristante. The defender has endured a subdued start to 2026-27, standing out for the wrong reasons in Roma's defeats to Fenerbahçe and Inter, where he was caught out for goals by Lautaro Martínez. A poor showing for the Italian national team has compounded his struggles. Mancini remains a trusted lieutenant of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, but the statistics underline his difficult period. His defensive output lags behind teammates: he averages 1.2 tackles per match compared to Mario Hermoso's 2.6 and Evan N'Dicka's 3.3. He is similarly behind in interceptions and challenges. A performance at Torino offered a rare positive, but as Daniele Aloisi writes in Il Messaggero, football can be cruel in how it magnifies the errors of defenders. However, the sport offers swift chances at redemption, and few fixtures carry greater weight than the double challenge against Como and Real Madrid ahead.

Roma resume their title push four days before Sunday's Serie A fixture at Como. Gian Piero Gasperini entered the decisive phase of preparation with the squad finally coming together after a three-week international break. The Argentine trio of Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi were expected back at Trigoria today following their commitments with the national team and Argentina's final match with Messi. Rodrigo Mora and Manu Koné had already returned yesterday after international duty. Encouragingly, Wesley and Donyell Malen have progressively increased their workload in recent sessions, training partially with the group, and from today could be fully integrated. Both are set to be available for Sunday's 12.30 kickoff at Sinigaglia, where Roma will defend their shared first-place position with Inter and Lazio. Bryan Cristante remains the only confirmed absence through injury. Marten de Roon is the leading candidate to replace him in midfield alongside Koné, with Wesley on the left and Nahuel Molina on the right. The left-wing spot remains unresolved, with a straight battle between Soulé and Mora, though Lorenzo Pellegrini is poised to challenge both. Pellegrini spoke about his readiness: "I feel good, the break has helped." The midfielder's availability underlines Roma's growing depth as they bid to sustain their challenge at the top of the table.