Zago on Roma's summer arrivals: Castro and Molina key signings, N'Dicka must cut errors

Nahuel Molina has already embraced Roma life, both on and off the pitch. From his first day in the capital, the Argentine has been welcomed warmly by the club and supporters, receiving immediate acceptance from coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the group. Molina made such a strong impression in training that he will start against Fiorentina. Molina's connection to Roma extends beyond the pitch. He shared a photo of his seven-month-old daughter wearing his number 20 giallorosso shirt, a tender image that illustrates how deeply the club's colours and identity have already become woven into his family life. The gesture reflects how quickly he has absorbed what it means to wear Roma's famous jersey. With his place in the starting eleven secured for the Fiorentina fixture, Molina is now awaiting what he describes as the true embrace of his new home: his first competitive appearance at the Olimpico in front of the supporters.

Roma continue to pursue a left winger after weeks of searching, with Chelsea's Gittens emerging as a target. Gasperini's side want to bring the winger to the capital on loan, but Chelsea are reluctant to part with him on those terms. The situation hinges on Mudryk's future at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are working on an exit for the Ukrainian forward, who is being directed towards a loan move to Strasbourg despite his preference to remain in the Premier League. If Mudryk leaves, Chelsea will have fewer options on the wing, with Rogers as the main reference point and Gittens as an alternative—precisely what makes it difficult for Roma to negotiate his departure. Roma's search for the right winger has been ongoing for months. Earlier targets including Fofana fell through after the Friedkin Group decided against pursuing the player due to physical condition concerns. With the transfer window closing soon, convincing Chelsea to release Gittens on loan will prove extremely challenging. Roma are trying, but the outcome depends on what happens with Mudryk first.

Mohamed Bah underwent successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery on his right knee today. The operation was carried out by Dr. Georg Ahlbäumer at Klinik Gut in St. Moritz and proceeded without complications. Bah suffered the injury during a friendly match against Cardiff in early August. The defender will be discharged in the coming days and will begin his rehabilitation programme. The surgery marks the start of what is expected to be a lengthy recovery process for the Roma player as he works to return to match fitness.

Roma begin their 2026–27 Serie A campaign at the Olimpico on Monday night against Fiorentina, fresh from securing Champions League football via third place last season. Bookmakers have installed the Giallorossi as clear favourites: a Roma win is priced at 1.60 on Snai, a draw at 4.00, and a Fiorentina victory at 5.75. Four of the last five meetings between the clubs have produced at least three goals combined, as have all of Roma's pre-season friendlies, making Over (1.86) slightly favoured over Under (1.91). Gasperini is expected to deploy two forwards with Paulo Dybala in support, though new signing Rodrigo Mora is anticipated to start on the bench. Santiago Castro, Roma's new number 9, leads the goalscorer markets at 2.40, narrowly ahead of Dybala and Donyell Malen, both at 2.50. Among the wider options, Nahuel Molina is quoted at 12.00 and Wesley at 9.00. Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini are priced at 7.50 and 12.00 respectively. The exact scoreline deemed most likely is 1–0 to Roma at 7.00, followed by 2–0 and 1–1 at 7.50 each.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma since arriving at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre on Wednesday, impressing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini enough to earn consideration for a starting place in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini is expected to deploy his customary 3-4-1-2 formation for the league debut, with three attacking midfielders operating behind the front pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé remains the favourite for the trequartista role, but Mora has risen sharply in the pecking order after impressing in initial training sessions. Bryan Cristante offers an alternative and defensive balance, though the ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, combined with Niccolò Pisilli's gradual return, may push Cristante back into midfield proper. The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with the visiting supporters' section now open to Fiorentina fans.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

AS Roma has built a squad of striking youth following years of investing heavily in players under 25, creating a roster balanced between promising talent and senior experience. Paulo Dybala, who will turn 33 next November, is the oldest player on the books, followed by Bryan Cristante, Mario Hermoso and Pierluigi Gollini all aged 31, and Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini both 30. The remainder of the squad skews considerably younger, with 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora emerging as the club's most junior player, matched in age by Robinio Vaz though slightly older by a few months. Jan Ziółkowski is 21, while Castro and Niccolò Pisilli will turn 22 this year. The youth project, initiated under Daniele De Rossi, has been maintained throughout Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure across two transfer windows. Players born in 2003—Daniele Ghilardi, Devyne Rensch, Matías Soulé, Wesley and Koulierakis—form a strong cohort, with Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui the only two 25-year-olds in the squad. The young foundation is complemented by experienced operators: Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka are 27, while Molina is 28. This structure combines future potential with a stable base of proven professionalism.

AS Roma marked a double celebration on 20 August as the club honoured the birthdays of two figures from vastly different eras: Giuseppe Giannini and Evan N'Dicka. Giannini, the historic captain and one-club legend who spent over 15 years in giallorossi colours, turned 62. N'Dicka, the Ivorian centre-back, celebrated his 27th birthday as he prepares to begin his fourth season at the club. Roma acknowledged both occasions with birthday messages shared across its official social media channels. The contrast between the two reflects different chapters of the club's history. Giannini remains a symbol of Roma's golden era as one of the great one-club captains, while N'Dicka has established himself as a key defensive figure during the modern era. The dual celebration underlined the continuity of commitment to Roma, spanning generations and roles.