Veretout on Roma: 'I'm not finished, I can still help — if Roma calls, I'm there'

Alberto Aquilani, a former Roma midfielder, has expressed confidence in the club's championship prospects ahead of the resumption of Serie A. Speaking to Il Messaggero, Aquilani praised both the squad and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saying Roma have the strength and depth to compete for the title. "Very strong and complete squad," Aquilani said of Roma. "It got off to the right start, it can fight for the top." On Gasperini's impact at the club, Aquilani was emphatic in his assessment: "For what he has done and communicated, he is a master—he is one in what he does. He revolutionised the way we play with all-round pressing, with his way of understanding the match and I think also training. He is an innovator." Aquilani's endorsement reflects the optimism surrounding Roma's campaign this season, with particular emphasis on Gasperini's tactical innovations and influence over the squad's approach to matches.

Jordan Veretout, speaking exclusively to Retesport, reflected on his time at Roma and his admiration for Gian Piero Gasperini's current side. The midfielder made 131 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals and providing 16 assists. On the prospect of playing under Gasperini, Veretout said: "He is a great coach in Italy and has proved it in Europe too. I enjoy watching Roma a lot — it is vertical football, strong, constant pressure. When I see Roma's defenders arriving to score, it is spectacular. I hope this year the Giallorossi team can win the Scudetto. By characteristics I would have enjoyed it, I would certainly have improved further. At Marseille under Tudor we played a similar system. It would have pleased me to be coached by him — when I was at Roma, Atalanta wanted me, so I think Gasperini wanted me with him." Veretout singled out his penalty against Napoli as his favourite Roma goal, describing it as "a very heavy ball" after Dzeko and Kolarov helped set it up. He also paid tribute to Radja Nainggolan, calling him "the strongest midfielder in Serie A" and expressing regret at never playing alongside him at Roma. On fellow Frenchman Manu Koné, Veretout said: "I watch him with affection — he is French like me. I am happy he is doing well in Giallorosso and I wish him to win at Roma because it is special." Veretout addressed his final season under José Mourinho, when early form—three goals in the opening two matches—gave way to reduced playing time. "I had a good relationship with him," Veretout explained. "I don't know if it was him or the club first that meant I played less. We talked about a renewal but could not reach an agreement, then the Marseille offer came. I had a good relationship with Mou — he was always very close to the players. He is and remains number one. We won with him, and that will stay with us forever." He also recalled the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League victory in Tirana, saying: "It was a difficult competition and we wanted to win it from the start. When we celebrated in the centre of Rome with thousands of fans, I still get shivers today. I show the images to my son." On his current life in Doha, Veretout stated: "I am well here, a spectacular life, though football is harder than people think. The most important thing for me is my family and I do this for them too. If Roma calls me, my wife says she wants to return to the capital. I am not finished — I can still help if Roma wants me, I am here." He remains in touch with several former teammates including Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante, and continues to follow the club closely.

Giuseppe Cionci, an agent and intermediary who participated in Ante Coric's transfer to Roma in 2018, has returned to working on club operations in recent months, including involvement in the signings of Konstantinos Koulierakis and Donyell Malen. The reappearance is striking because a protracted legal battle between Corner Sport Management—the company to which Cionci is attached—and Roma remains unresolved over the Coric transaction. Cionici was among the intermediaries involved in last summer's transfer of Koulierakis from Wolfsburg to Roma for €16.5 million. He also took part in negotiations for Malen's arrival in January. His return marks a sharp reversal after years in which his name had essentially disappeared from Roma's radar at Trigoria following the Coric deal, which brought the Croatian midfielder to the capital with high expectations but quickly unravelled into a sporting failure. The legal dispute centres on two separate claims by Corner Sport Management. The first involves an injunction for €216,550 in intermediation fees related to the Coric deal. In January 2024 the Rome Court annulled the representation contract and ordered Roma to recover approximately €800,000 already paid. Corner appealed, and the Court of Appeal suspended the ruling's enforcement. The decisive hearing is scheduled for 13 November. A second legal action, stemming from a further €200,000 injunction from Corner over the same Coric operation, remains open. The rapprochement between Cionci and Roma has been facilitated by his longstanding relationship with Pietro Leonardi, a figure in Roman football since the 1990s. A 2020 Financial Police report identified Cionci as Corner Sport Management's representative and linked Leonardi to the same company. The paradox is complete: even as the judicial matter born from Coric's purchase awaits resolution, Cionci has become operational in Roma's market dealings again. Eight years after the Coric case, a door that appeared permanently closed has reopened.