Wesley returns to training ahead of Como trip seeking redemption

Lorenzo Pellegrini is poised to start for Roma at Como on Sunday lunchtime as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares a tactical masterclass against Cesc Fàbregas. The Roma midfielder has spent the international break working intensively at Trigoria to restore his physical condition and has positioned himself as a strong candidate for a starting place. The fixture promises to be a refined chess match between two coaches renowned for their strategic approach; the pair already registered counter-moves and in-game adjustments in their two direct meetings last season that shifted match momentum. Pellegrini's versatility is set to be the tactical switch of the game. Should Fàbregas confirm a four-man defence in his starting 4-2-3-1, Gasperini will deploy Pellegrini on the attacking midfield line, free to move between the lines and supply the attacking pair of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. This setup is designed to remove reference points for Como's centre-backs and break the opposition's pressing lines. Roma's current strength lies in their capacity to adapt to the opponent's reading of play. In their last meeting by Lake Como, when Como switched to a three-man defence, Roma suffered from defensive escalation and had to shift Pellegrini into an unnatural wide position on the right. On Sunday, Gasperini's response will be far more fluid and effective. Should Fàbregas move to a three-man line mid-match, Roma will redraw their attacking setup without losing balance: Dybala on the right, Pellegrini in his favoured left position, and Malen as the central pivot. This variety of solutions is also supported by alternatives on the bench, where Matías Soulé and young Rodrigo Mora offer guarantees to replace either Dybala or the Dutch forward in the closing stages.

Lionel Messi is set to relinquish Argentina's number 10 shirt after tonight's match, triggering a competition among the next generation to claim one of football's most storied jerseys. Matías Soulé and Nico Paz are the leading candidates to inherit the iconic number, with both young players impressing Argentina's coaching staff in recent fixtures. Soulé, the AS Roma forward, is among those being considered. He possesses quality, personality and significant room for development, making him a contender for the honour. However, Paz has made an equally compelling case, continuing to impress in Argentina's last two friendlies and earning increasing prominence in the national team's plans. Goalkeeper Dibu Martínez has already formed a view on the succession. "There are several lads who would deserve it. But the favourite is Nico Paz," Martínez said, according to TNT Sports Argentina. With Messi's departure from the number 10 confirmed after tonight, the race to become its next custodian has officially begun.

Roma travel to Como on Sunday for the sixth round of Serie A, a fixture that pits two of Italy's youngest and most dynamic squads against each other—the Giallorossi with an average age of 25.8 years, the Lariani at 24.5—but the real contrast lies on the touchline. Gian Piero Gasperini, born in 1958 and the league's most experienced coach at 68 years old, meets Cesc Fàbregas, born in 1987 and the championship's youngest manager at 39. Both are former midfielders with a goal-scoring instinct who now favour a dominant, attacking style of play, yet they have clashed repeatedly and show no warmth towards each other. The tension between them has a history. During last season's fixture, won by Roma, Gasperini called Como's persistent use of the goalkeeper in build-up play "tedious". Fàbregas replied months later after Como won at home, criticizing his rival for leaving the pitch without even a handshake at the final whistle. The pair reignited their rivalry recently at the Trento Sports Festival, where Fàbregas made a veiled jab by recalling that Gasperini had beaten him at Subbuteo, though he expressed hope for a different outcome on Sunday. Roma's preparation resumes this afternoon at Trigoria, but Gasperini will be without Bryan Cristante. The midfielder will undergo decisive scans to determine his recovery plan and the timeline for his absence following a collateral ligament injury to his knee. Speaking to Sky Sport, Gasperini reiterated his desire to involve the Friedkin Group ownership more directly in squad matters and supporter relations, with the goal of rekindling the momentum and enthusiasm evident in Roma's early-season performances.

Wesley has reached out to Endrick with an off-field manoeuvre aimed at persuading the Real Madrid forward to join Roma in January. The Brazilian, who returned to the capital after missing the World Cup through injury, has messaged the striker to convey how appealing it would be to have him at the club and share the dressing room. The contact was a spontaneous exchange between the two as friends, without any formal involvement from Roma's management — but that personal relationship could become a small advantage for the Giallorossi as they prepare to compete with AC Milan for Endrick's signature in the winter window. The reversal marks a shift from earlier in the year, when Endrick had sought out Wesley during one of the most difficult phases of his young career. Now Wesley has taken the initiative to welcome him to Roma, leveraging a friendship that may help the club stand out in a battle for the forward's services. Roma's trump card is Wesley himself — a tangible human connection and the promise of a familiar ally in the squad. The timing carries symbolic weight. Endrick will be at the Olimpico on 14 October, where he will see the stadium, the fans and the atmosphere of the capital. After Wesley's message, he may begin to genuinely imagine what it would be like to experience that environment as a protagonist.

Roma are exploring a move for Endrick, the Brazilian forward at Real Madrid, with midfielder Wesley acting as an intermediary to persuade the 18-year-old to join the club in January. Endrick was signed by Real Madrid from Palmeiras for €60 million in 2022 but has been sidelined under José Mourinho, accumulating only four minutes of competitive football across Liga and cup competitions. Wesley and Endrick share a deep bond forged through the Brazilian national team under Carlo Ancelotti; when Wesley suffered a serious knee injury on 7 June, Endrick was among the first to reach out with support. Now the roles have reversed, with Wesley intensifying contact to convince Endrick of the merits of Gasperini's Roma project and persuade him to open the door to a winter transfer to the capital. Roma have already made initial contact with Endrick's representatives and want to structure the deal as a loan with a right of purchase and a counter-option in favour of Real Madrid. The Spanish club's president Florentino Pérez has signalled openness to a temporary move to give the young striker playing time. Endrick holds 24 senior caps for Brazil despite his limited minutes in Madrid. Wesley has made no secret of his desire to play alongside his compatriot, expressing his wish to do so during the summer window. Milan are also monitoring developments, but Roma are banking on the appeal of Gasperini's football and Wesley's decisive influence to win the race. Two key dates will present opportunities for the parties to discuss the move in detail. Roma and Real Madrid meet at the Stadio Olimpico on 14 October in the UEFA Champions League league phase, followed by a November international break when Ancelotti's Brazil squad will play engagements in Singapore. These fixtures and the period around them will be crucial in determining whether the transfer can gather momentum ahead of the winter window.

Arsenal have entered the chase for Roma's Wesley, joining Manchester United and Newcastle in monitoring the Brazilian winger. The Gunners are tracking Wesley as part of their search for reinforcements on the flanks, with the 23-year-old having drawn widespread English attention for his form under Gian Piero Gasperini. Wesley has become one of Europe's most closely watched wingers and has demonstrated his ability to operate on both flanks. Wesley's valuation has risen sharply. Around a year ago, the Brazilian was valued at approximately €30 million; current reports from England suggest that figure has nearly doubled. Roma are now seeking €60 million to consider negotiations. The club has not signalled any intention to sell Wesley, who remains a key part of Gasperini's project. However, the interest from top English sides continues to intensify, with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle identified as the three clubs most closely following his situation. Monaco's Vanderson is also attracting attention from the same trio of Premier League clubs, valued around €40 million and considered a more accessible alternative. For Wesley, the asking price reflects his status as a top-tier prospect: any club wishing to sign him will need to present an offer befitting a player of that calibre.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is poised to start for Roma at Como on Sunday lunchtime as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares a tactical masterclass against Cesc Fàbregas. The Roma midfielder has spent the international break working intensively at Trigoria to restore his physical condition and has positioned himself as a strong candidate for a starting place. The fixture promises to be a refined chess match between two coaches renowned for their strategic approach; the pair already registered counter-moves and in-game adjustments in their two direct meetings last season that shifted match momentum. Pellegrini's versatility is set to be the tactical switch of the game. Should Fàbregas confirm a four-man defence in his starting 4-2-3-1, Gasperini will deploy Pellegrini on the attacking midfield line, free to move between the lines and supply the attacking pair of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. This setup is designed to remove reference points for Como's centre-backs and break the opposition's pressing lines. Roma's current strength lies in their capacity to adapt to the opponent's reading of play. In their last meeting by Lake Como, when Como switched to a three-man defence, Roma suffered from defensive escalation and had to shift Pellegrini into an unnatural wide position on the right. On Sunday, Gasperini's response will be far more fluid and effective. Should Fàbregas move to a three-man line mid-match, Roma will redraw their attacking setup without losing balance: Dybala on the right, Pellegrini in his favoured left position, and Malen as the central pivot. This variety of solutions is also supported by alternatives on the bench, where Matías Soulé and young Rodrigo Mora offer guarantees to replace either Dybala or the Dutch forward in the closing stages.

Roma begin a critical phase of their season with the trip to Como, the first fixture in a nine-match stretch across twenty-seven days that will test their squad depth and rotation strategy. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has emphasised the need for careful individual management and targeted turnover to maintain the team's sharpness in both Serie A and European competition. Bryan Cristante remains sidelined with inflammation of the knee's collateral ligament. The medical staff are prioritising proper recovery without rushing his return, assessing his condition day by day and avoiding unnecessary risk ahead of both the Como match and the subsequent Champions League encounter against Real Madrid. His absence opens the door for Marten de Roon to make his Roma debut from the start. The Dutch midfielder, a former Atalanta captain, will pair with Manu Koné in midfield. Gasperini has confirmed that Chelsea made late-window attempts to sign Koné, but those moves were firmly rejected to ensure continuity of the project. Positive news comes from the attack, where Donyell Malen has recovered from the knee problem sustained before the international break in the match against Inter and is ready to lead the line from the first minute. Paulo Dybala will support him, and a competitive battle is expected for the second starting berth on the attacking midfield line. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé are candidates for rotation during the match. Soulé has put behind him the pubic bone issues that had hampered his form and is in excellent physical condition after his recent senior international debut. Rodrigo Mora stands ready as a viable alternative during the game.

Donyell Malen spent a scheduled rest day exploring Rome as a tourist, visiting the Vatican Museums with his wife Delisha. The Dutch forward shared a selfie from the Stanza della Segnatura, the room decorated by Raffaello Sanzio. Malen has been at Roma since January, when he arrived from Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund, and has quickly won over the Giallorossi supporters despite appearing to have played for the club for years. During the current international break, Malen declined a call-up to the Netherlands squad due to knee discomfort. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini granted the forward a rest day before training resumed at Trigoria on 6 October. Malen is expected to return to the attack for the trip to Como on 11 October.