Soulé now at the centre of Roma as he moves from 'Joyita' to 'Joya'

Evan N'Dicka has become a fixture in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma defence, and the Ivorian centre-back is now battling Leonardo Balerdi for a starting place ahead of the trip to Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium. The article notes that Gasperini has long been a critic of N'Dicka's position in the past: in April 2024, when he was Atalanta's coach, he said after the postponement of Udinese-Roma: "Matches with yellow cards should not be postponed", a remark that caused considerable controversy in the Roma camp. Gasperini has also criticised highly structured centre-backs he considers less dynamic in tight man-marking. Since arriving on the Roma bench, however, those old frictions have been wiped away on the pitch. N'Dicka, who was already an indispensable pillar under Mourinho, De Rossi, Juric and Ranieri, has become a fundamental part of Gasperini's system. In Serie A 2024/2025 he made 38 starts out of 38 appearances for a total of 3,420 minutes. Gasperini values his physical presence, his reading of the game in anticipations and his dominance in the air. The Balerdi-N'Dicka contest is one of the main doubts of the eve of the match. Balerdi brings dynamism and ball-carrying from the back, and Daniele Ghilardi has also raised the level of competition, often delivering strong performances even as a substitute. Roma's current run of matches, packed between October and November, makes that competition demanding week after week. According to Sofascore data, N'Dicka's passing accuracy has consistently ranged between 83% and 97%, placing him among the top Serie A centre-backs for passing quality and composure under pressure. He wins 63% of his aerial duels per match, which puts him in the top percentile of Serie A centre-backs. Compared with other Serie A centre-backs who are more aggressive, he averages 5.1 clearances, 4.6 ball recoveries and 1.6 interceptions per 90 minutes, providing essential cover in the box. Against Udinese, whose stocky frame and quick counterattacks are a threat, his physicality and duel ability are seen as crucial. Considering Udinese's crisis under Runjaic and Roma's historical struggles on the road in Friuli, relying on N'Dicka's experience could prove decisive. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the match also looks ahead to the demanding Champions League trip to Manchester United on Tuesday 3 November.

Wesley has been one of Gian Piero Gasperini's first-choice picks this season, and the Brazilian full-back has improved across almost every statistical measure compared with last year, according to SofaScore data. Carlo Ancelotti has kept selecting him for Brazil since taking over the national team, making him the only player who has been on the squad list throughout that period. The defender was denied a starring role at the World Cup by bad luck, but he remains one of the cornerstones of both Brazil and Roma. Personal issues involving his now ex-wife have not distracted him, and he delivered the assist for Leonardo Balerdi's equaliser in the 3-3 draw at Napoli, even though he was not one of the best players on the pitch that night. This season he has already registered two assists, while last year he had none after nine Serie A matchdays. His key passes per match have risen from 0.88 to 2.38, his cross accuracy from 26.9% to 40%, and his duel success rate from 42.7% to 52.6%. The one thing missing so far is a goal. He scored with his first touch for the club last season, in the opener against Bologna, but he is still waiting to find the net this time. Gasperini needs more from him in attack, although goals are not a problem for Roma this season. Wesley was rested for the first 45 minutes against Cagliari, but he is set to start against Udinese tomorrow and in the Champions League match at Manchester on Tuesday. He will be closely watched at Old Trafford, where Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing him. The English side, struggling after a disastrous start to the season, have reportedly made him a target. Chelsea also considered a move in the summer, but Roma rejected an offer of around 40 million euros.

Radio pundit Simone Valdarchi expects Gian Piero Gasperini to rotate Roma's defence and flanks for the upcoming match. Speaking on Radio Manà Manà, he said Koulierakis and Mancini could drop out of the starting line-up compared with the last outing, while at least two of Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso could feature. Valdarchi also believes Gasperini would give Evan N'Dicka a rest if he had the chance, but he thinks it is not the right moment to do so. The comments come as Roma prepare for Saturday's league fixture against Udinese and the Champions League trip to Manchester. Piero Torri, also speaking on Radio Manà Manà, said: "Dell'Udinese temo la classifica. Non è una squadra che merita di essere nel punto in cui si trova per i valori che ha. Hanno recuperato quasi tutti gli infortunati Solet a parte. Tra la gara di sabato e quella di Manchester è più importante la prima." In English: "I fear Udinese's league position. It is not a team that deserves to be where it is, given the quality it has. They have recovered almost all their injured players except Solet. Between Saturday's match and the one in Manchester, the first is more important."