Roma's Champions League squad lacks depth of experience, Gasperini identifies priority

Marash Kumbulla is set to leave Roma after returning from his loan spell at Maiorca. Rayo Vallecano, Levante and Elche have all made enquiries about the Albanian centre-back's availability, according to market specialist Matteo Moretto. Roma are actively managing squad departures as the summer transfer window progresses, with Kumbulla among a group of surplus players at the club's training ground. Gasperini has made clear he does not intend to offer Kumbulla a fresh opportunity at Roma, paving the way for an exit. The 25-year-old, who previously played for Verona, appears likely to continue his career in Spain's La Liga rather than remain in Serie A. Roma are simultaneously pursuing incomings, with Summerville among the priority targets as the club balances sales and acquisitions ahead of the new season.

Mario Hermoso has signalled Roma's readiness to begin the new season following the conclusion of the club's opening week of pre-season training at Trigoria. The centre-back posted on social media: "Si ricomincia" (We start again), a message that also appears to reassure over his physical condition. Hermoso had been forced off during a friendly against the Primavera after a heavy knock below the knee, though the issue does not appear to concern Gasperini, who intends to continue raising the intensity ahead of the campaign's start. Roma have completed their first week of retreat, which included double training sessions and the friendly fixture against the youth side. Gasperini appears satisfied with the player's status and remains focused on building momentum and fitness levels as preparation intensifies for the new season.

Artem Dovbyk has begun the 2026–27 season at Roma following a lengthy injury layoff that sidelined him from February onwards. The Ukrainian striker was among the squad members who reported for pre-season training at Trigoria, where he appeared in a friendly against the Primavera and scored twice, with a third goal ruled out for a marginal offside decision. Although he was booed by some supporters reflecting his difficult two seasons at the club, Dovbyk now has an opportunity to rehabilitate his Roma career under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Dovbyk arrived in summer 2024 from Girona for a total fee of around €36 million, making him one of the most expensive signings in Roma's history. His first season yielded a respectable 17 goals across all competitions in 45 appearances, but the 2025–26 campaign proved far more disappointing, yielding only three Serie A goals in 14 appearances and one assist in European competition before his injury. At 189 cm tall, Dovbyk possesses a distinctly different physical profile from primary striker Donyell Malen and could operate as a relief option or even alongside the Dutch forward in certain tactical moments. His substantial wages make a departure difficult to arrange, but if he remains, Gasperini can deploy him as a reserve to provide cover and potentially relieve pressure on the player.

Artem Dovbyk has begun the 2026–27 season at Roma following a lengthy injury layoff that sidelined him from February onwards. The Ukrainian striker was among the squad members who reported for pre-season training at Trigoria, where he appeared in a friendly against the Primavera and scored twice, with a third goal ruled out for a marginal offside decision. Although he was booed by some supporters reflecting his difficult two seasons at the club, Dovbyk now has an opportunity to rehabilitate his Roma career under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Dovbyk arrived in summer 2024 from Girona for a total fee of around €36 million, making him one of the most expensive signings in Roma's history. His first season yielded a respectable 17 goals across all competitions in 45 appearances, but the 2025–26 campaign proved far more disappointing, yielding only three Serie A goals in 14 appearances and one assist in European competition before his injury. At 189 cm tall, Dovbyk possesses a distinctly different physical profile from primary striker Donyell Malen and could operate as a relief option or even alongside the Dutch forward in certain tactical moments. His substantial wages make a departure difficult to arrange, but if he remains, Gasperini can deploy him as a reserve to provide cover and potentially relieve pressure on the player.

Rome's radio stations hosted debate on Roma's tactical setup and transfer situation, with prominent voices offering contrasting assessments of the club's prospects. Piero Torri praised the potential attacking combination of Summerville on the left, Dybala on the right, and Malen centrally, saying: "Summerville to the left, Dybala to the right and Malen in the centre: with this trio you should never lift the ball, but otherwise I'm starting to feel a certain pleasure very similar to orgasm. I like the idea they could play together. Dybala and Malen in the few matches they played together seemed made for each other. Now Summerville would be added too, who already knows Malen well. To me it seems a nice trio." However, Roberto Pruzzo took a sceptical stance, arguing the club should shift its focus elsewhere. He stated: "I would have already moved on. He's a good player, but he's not one who makes the difference: the money makes it, not the player. I would have already turned in another direction. The Greenwood situation struck me in a certain way. I hope Roma is in a position to put valid and above all motivated alternatives: it's not possible that Roma becomes a bargaining chip. At the moment Roma has two players fewer." Nando Orsi questioned the squad's composition, suggesting Koné may be sacrificed and discussing goalkeeper alternatives, while Lorenzo Pes highlighted defensive concerns with Angeliño ahead of Wales fixtures.

Crysencio Summerville is poised to join Roma from West Ham, and the timing carries symbolic weight — the Dutch winger was born on 30 October 2001, the exact day Daniele De Rossi made his debut for the Giallorossi in a Champions League match against Anderlecht. Summerville also shares his birthday with Diego Armando Maradona. The 24-year-old left-winger, who cost West Ham €30 million, has been sidelined by a thigh injury that kept him out for the second half of last season, during which West Ham were relegated. He scored 21 goals in a single Championship season at Leeds, winning the division's Player of the Year award in 2023–24, and contributed seven goals across the Premier League and FA Cup during his first campaign with the Hammers. Summerville's arrival addresses a pressing need in Gasperin's squad. A right-footed left winger, he excels at dribbling past defenders and cutting infield to shoot near post or curl shots towards the far corner. He scored twice and provided two assists during the Netherlands' World Cup campaign in America, and contested the 2023 Under-21 Euros with fellow Roma signing Devyne Rensch, earning three caps together. Notably, Summerville faced Donyell Malen — now also at Roma — only once in the Premier League when Aston Villa beat West Ham 3–2 on 14 December 2025, a month before Malen's move to the capital. Having progressed through Feyenoord's academy, Summerville won the 2018 Under-17 Euros in England, scoring in the penalty-shootout final victory over Italy.

Rome's radio stations hosted debate on Roma's tactical setup and transfer situation, with prominent voices offering contrasting assessments of the club's prospects. Piero Torri praised the potential attacking combination of Summerville on the left, Dybala on the right, and Malen centrally, saying: "Summerville to the left, Dybala to the right and Malen in the centre: with this trio you should never lift the ball, but otherwise I'm starting to feel a certain pleasure very similar to orgasm. I like the idea they could play together. Dybala and Malen in the few matches they played together seemed made for each other. Now Summerville would be added too, who already knows Malen well. To me it seems a nice trio." However, Roberto Pruzzo took a sceptical stance, arguing the club should shift its focus elsewhere. He stated: "I would have already moved on. He's a good player, but he's not one who makes the difference: the money makes it, not the player. I would have already turned in another direction. The Greenwood situation struck me in a certain way. I hope Roma is in a position to put valid and above all motivated alternatives: it's not possible that Roma becomes a bargaining chip. At the moment Roma has two players fewer." Nando Orsi questioned the squad's composition, suggesting Koné may be sacrificed and discussing goalkeeper alternatives, while Lorenzo Pes highlighted defensive concerns with Angeliño ahead of Wales fixtures.

Alejandro Garnacho has made clear his preference for a transfer to Roma, rejecting an approach from Fiorentina. The Chelsea winger was officially offered to the Viola, but the Argentine responded with a categorical refusal, with Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini his sole focus. The prospect of playing Champions League football and linking up with fellow countrymen Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala at Trigoria holds total appeal for the attacker. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico has frozen the pursuit for now, with a significant structural gap between the clubs blocking progress. Roma, bolstered by a recent €46 million investment for Summerville, wishes to avoid further balance-sheet strain and is evaluating the deal solely on a loan basis with a right of purchase. Chelsea, by contrast, is pushing for an outright permanent sale to generate immediate revenue. Without concrete financial offers capable of swaying the London club, the operation remains on hold. Roma intends to return to the attack only at the end of the transfer window should Chelsea soften their stance on a temporary arrangement under more favourable terms.

Roma defeated the Primavera side 6–0 in an internal friendly at Trigoria under the watchful eye of director Tony D'Amico, with Paulo Dybala orchestrating the performance. The match was played in four slots under Gasperini's new-look system. Roma struggled initially in the opening 20 minutes, with Artem Dovbyk spurning a clear chance in front of goal. Once Gasperini reshuffled the lineup around the quarter-hour mark, Dybala took control. Matías Soulé opened the scoring by heading in a Dybala cross, before Soulé himself added a second from a Dybala assist at the 44-minute mark. In the second half, Dybala converted a penalty won by Cherubini and added a fifth with a left-footed half-volley from Soulé's assist, demonstrating the twin's telepathic understanding. Bryan Cristante also scored from a distance, with Dovbyk adding the sixth late on. Angeliño featured for just one half, while Wesley played on the right flank in place of the injured Çelik. Hermoso led the defensive line with authority and precision. Gasperini granted the squad a day's rest following the exercise, with training resuming tomorrow at 18:00.

Roma defeated the Primavera side 6–0 in an internal friendly at Trigoria under the watchful eye of director Tony D'Amico, with Paulo Dybala orchestrating the performance. The match was played in four slots under Gasperini's new-look system. Roma struggled initially in the opening 20 minutes, with Artem Dovbyk spurning a clear chance in front of goal. Once Gasperini reshuffled the lineup around the quarter-hour mark, Dybala took control. Matías Soulé opened the scoring by heading in a Dybala cross, before Soulé himself added a second from a Dybala assist at the 44-minute mark. In the second half, Dybala converted a penalty won by Cherubini and added a fifth with a left-footed half-volley from Soulé's assist, demonstrating the twin's telepathic understanding. Bryan Cristante also scored from a distance, with Dovbyk adding the sixth late on. Angeliño featured for just one half, while Wesley played on the right flank in place of the injured Çelik. Hermoso led the defensive line with authority and precision. Gasperini granted the squad a day's rest following the exercise, with training resuming tomorrow at 18:00.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal with Roma remains deadlocked, with the club offering a two-year deal while the 30-year-old captain seeks a three-year agreement after accepting a significant wage reduction. Having been sidelined last summer before being recalled by Gian Piero Gasperini, Pellegrini has been a free agent for 20 days and has turned down interest from Juventus, Napoli, and Inter—all of whom have made approaches—because he wants only Roma. Gasperini warned in a press conference on Saturday that delays are unhelpful and called for the contract to be resolved quickly, hoping to have the number 7 back in the squad soon. The delay has prompted a banner from the Roma ultras group to appear at Trigoria reading: "Fare un errore può succedere, ripeterlo vuol dire approssimazione. Teniamoci stretto Lorenzo" [Making a mistake can happen, repeating it means carelessness. Let's hold tight to Lorenzo]. Unlike Pellegrini's stalled talks, midfielder Bryan Cristante has signed a new contract through 2028, posting on social media: "Roma and the Roma, for me and my family, are home. A happy place... the city of my children... I prefer to speak little and demonstrate my attachment through sweat, but this bond until 2028 means something special to me: eternal love. I have always given everything for Roma and will continue to do so. I am honoured to continue my journey in giallorosso, a world that is and will always be home."

Lorenzo Pellegrini remains committed to Roma despite interest from Juventus, Inter and Napoli, but negotiations over a new deal have stalled. The 30-year-old midfielder, formally out of contract for twenty days, is willing to take a pay cut to stay at the club but is demanding a three-year contract while Roma is offering only two years. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has stressed the need to settle the squad as soon as possible, with the season already underway. The impasse has drawn attention from Roma's Curva Sud, who displayed a banner at Trigoria urging the club to secure Pellegrini immediately and avoid repeating what they view as the mistake made with Çelik. The supporter group's intervention reflects broader concerns about losing another key player during a critical period. On a positive note for Roma, Bryan Cristante has signed a new contract extension that ties him to the club until 2028, ending uncertainty over one of the club's senior figures.