Marten de Roon

Rome's radio stations dissected Roma's transfer activity and the arrival of Marten de Roon on 31 August 2026, with opinion divided over whether the club has adequately strengthened ahead of the new season. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo praised Gasperini's squad-building approach, saying: "Gasp has put together a really impressive group of guys, I like it." He defended Matías Soulé's quality, noting that the winger could deliver 8–10 goals a season and should not be written off. Paulo Cosenza of the same station highlighted the work of sporting director D'Amico, stating: "I have to say this—it is the first time I see a sporting director who, despite having to deal with a thousand difficulties that have a name and a surname, Dan Friedkin, is genuinely trying to satisfy the manager. He is doing exceptional work, despite a path full of obstacles." Francesca Ferrazza added context to Roma's financial manoeuvres, revealing that the club would receive approximately 6 million euros from lucrative loans of Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz, funds that could finance further arrivals including a right-back. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport expressed hope that Gasperini would still land a winger, saying: "I still hope Gittens arrives, he is Gasperini's preferred option." He noted that De Roon's arrival alongside fellow newcomer Balerdi would inject leadership into the squad: "With him and Balerdi the club brings in two captains, which means you get people with personality and players who have international experience—things that last season were a significant deficit in certain matches." Lorenzo Pes regarded Balerdi as the window's standout deal: "For 15 million euros you bring home a defender of absolute calibre, who would have played in the World Cup if he had not been injured shortly before. For me it is the best operation of the transfer market." However, he identified a tactical paradox: "Paradoxically Roma has intervened perfectly in roles already covered, leaving uncovered instead the roles most in need." Nando Orsi of Radio Radio predicted a 2–0 Roma win over Lecce, while Mario Mattioli forecast a 1–3 victory. Orsi suggested De Roon would likely play around 30 matches across league and cup if properly managed, as he is "an intelligent player tactically" who suits Gasperini's system after years playing under him. Checco Oddo Casano raised questions about Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique, noting that his signing had stalled: "It is strange that Luiz Henrique was blocked but not yet taken. Logic suggests Roma wants to close something more important first, then wrap up the Brazilian." Multiple commentators referenced Roma's match against Fiorentina as evidence of the team's strength when full-strength, with Orsi stating the club was "dominant" in that fixture.

Rome's radio pundits weighed in on Roma's immediate prospects and transfer strategy ahead of the Lecce fixture. Lorenzo Pes of Teleradiostereo assessed the club's summer window and recent signings, highlighting the distinction between addressing the manager's specific requirements and broader squad building. "The Roma made a fairly precise choice a few months ago: it chose the line of the manager and all subsequent decisions are dictated by this, including those in the market," Pes said. "If I look at what the manager needs, the De Roon operation makes sense, because El Aynaoui hasn't convinced Gasperini. I want to see how De Roon's integration into Roma's dressing room goes. I think Balerdi is the best operation of this transfer market. I believe Gasperini will confirm the same eleven from Fiorentina." Simone Valdarchi of Radio Manà Manà (90.9) flagged Lecce's tactical threat despite Roma's technical advantage. "It's a match full of pitfalls, despite Roma's clear technical superiority," he said. "Di Francesco is a good coach, and there's a possibility Lecce will line up with three at the back. Given the calendar, it's essential to take the three points now." Nando Orsi of Radio Radio Mattino (104.5) backed Roma to win, citing the form of Malen and Dybala and the quality gap between the sides. "De Roon can give you a lot in midfield," Orsi added.

Rome radio pundits have weighed in on De Roon's arrival and Roma's transfer direction, with mixed assessments of the midfielder's age and fit within the squad. Pes told Teleradio Stereo that Roma has followed a precise line set months ago, choosing the manager's approach and making all subsequent decisions—including transfer choices—based on it. "If I look at what the coach needs, the De Roon operation makes sense, because El Aynaoui hasn't convinced Gasperini," Pes said. "I want to see how De Roon will settle into Roma's dressing room. But I don't understand the long-term thinking: you risk wasting another year of El Aynaoui. If he isn't bought by Leipzig, adding De Roon and letting a young player go to sign an older one—I don't understand it." Pes also praised Balerdi as "the best operation of this transfer window," calling it a potential move worth around €15 million that brings a top-level defender. He believes Gasperini will stick with the same eleven that played Fiorentina. Carina told Radio Radio the De Roon question will fade after a few matches, describing him as "one of Gasperini's soldiers," but questioned whether he arrives as the fourth or fifth midfielder. "Playing an entire season with only four midfielders gives me some concerns. He's turning 36—I'd be happier if he'd arrived as a fifth option," Carina said. He reported that Fofana was Roma's first target and expects Luiz Henrique to join: "He's an excellent player who plays on the right but does his best work cutting in from the left. If he arrives, Roma will have a pairing of players for every position and Gasperini will be happy." Carina also noted that Soulé's role depends on the transfer market, with Roma holding two offers for him from Fulham and Newcastle. Mattioli at Radio Radio offered a measured view of De Roon, saying he has always liked him but the midfielder's last season involved fewer appearances and his age might show. "In his role he's never held back or rested—that demands a lot of energy," Mattioli said. "He'll be useful as the season progresses and an important squad player, not necessarily a cornerstone." Orsi at Radio Radio backed the signing, stating De Roon "can give you plenty in midfield" and that Roma showed good form against Lecce, particularly through Malen and Dybala.

Marten De Roon has joined AS Roma and is determined to move past a 2023 incident when he posted a photo with a middle-finger gesture and text mocking the club after Atalanta's victory over the giallorossi. The post drew controversy and a €2,500 fine. In his first interview at Trigoria, De Roon said he had not authorised publication of that post. "I always play around on social media, but on that occasion I overstepped the mark," he explained. "I didn't authorise that post against the giallorossi — it sounds like a lie but it's true. I'm very sorry." He pledged to prove himself on the pitch rather than through words: "Social media is one thing, I want to demonstrate on the field that I am someone who goes beyond that. I will give everything for the shirt and want to repay the trust with facts." De Roon spent nine years at Atalanta under Gasperini, serving as captain, and the coach has now brought him to Roma. The midfielder is excited by his new surroundings. "I'm super happy, it's something very beautiful," he said of Trigoria. "Roma is a great club, the training ground is top level and I'm eager to begin." He is already familiar with the Olimpico but always faced it as an opponent. He relishes the prospect of Champions League football this season: "Last season Roma was in great form, the Olimpico is special, always full and impressive. The fans are very warm and this year we'll play against very strong teams in the Champions League, the atmosphere will be amazing. We must enjoy these evenings and try to achieve great results." De Roon believes he can contribute immediately. He knows Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini from Serie A, and two fellow Dutch players are already at the club: Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. "I want to help because I know Gasperini's system very well. There are two Dutch lads: Malen and Rensch. I want to play my part and I've joined a very strong squad," he said. He acknowledged he must now earn the affection of Roma supporters who saw him as an enemy until recently: "Super happy to be here, I can't wait to play in front of you at the Olimpico. I hope to be welcomed in the right way. Daje Roma."

Marten De Roon presented himself officially to Roma on 31 August 2026, expressing delight at joining the club. "I'm super happy, it's really something very beautiful. The transfer to a great society, I saw the sports centre and it's high level and I have so much desire to start," De Roon said at his unveiling. De Roon spent nine years under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at his previous club, where he regularly started and served as captain. He credited Gasperini with developing both him and the squad to a high standard. "When we spoke a few days ago he made a big effort and gave me this opportunity to come here, and for that I thank him so much. I also thank the club and the society that wanted me: it's not at all obvious, I'm really super happy," De Roon said. He acknowledged Roma's current strength, noting that "the squad is there, it's very strong. There are guys like Bryan Cristante, who I know, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini, who have played here for many years. I want to give a hand, I know Gasperini's game very well." On a previous social media post that appeared to target Roma, De Roon clarified his approach: "I'm someone who always jokes on social media, I always try to push the limit. On that occasion I think I overstepped the limit. There's an explanation though: with two friends I manage my social media. It was the only time – it seems like a lie but it's true – where I didn't authorise the post, because I had many interviews after the match. I'm sorry because I overstepped the limit." He expressed eagerness to play at the Olimpico, describing the stadium as "something very special" and noting that Roma's return to Champions League football creates "a crazy environment." De Roon sent a message to Roma supporters: "I'm super happy to be here. I can't wait to play at the Olimpico in front of you, because I realise it's a very special environment. I hope you welcome me in the right way. Forza Roma!"

Marten De Roon has given his first interview as a Roma player, addressing his previous social media comments about the club while expressing enthusiasm for his move from Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Dutch midfielder spoke to the club's official channels about the excitement of joining a top-tier organisation, his nine-year relationship with Gasperini at his former club, and his eagerness to play Champions League football at the Olimpico. De Roon clarified the contentious social media posts that had drawn criticism from Roma supporters. "I'm someone who always jokes on social media, I always try to push the limit," he said. "On that occasion I think I went over the limit. But there's an explanation: two friends and I manage my social media. It was the only time—it seems like a lie but it's true—that I didn't authorise the post, because I had many interviews after the match. I'm sorry because I went over the limit." He added: "I want to demonstrate on the pitch that I go beyond the limit, I give everything for the shirt and I must repay this trust with facts." De Roon emphasized his gratitude to Gasperini, saying the coach "brought me up high" during their time at Atalanta and played him consistently, even as captain at times. He praised the club's training facilities and highlighted Roma's strength as a squad, naming Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala, and Gianluca Mancini among the experienced players already at the club. On Roma's Champions League campaign, he said: "The stadium is something very special, every time I've played here I was impressed, full of very warm fans. Bringing the Champions League back to the Olimpico against very strong teams gives us an incredible atmosphere. We must enjoy these evenings and try to achieve great results." Closing his remarks, De Roon told Roma's supporters: "I can't wait to play at the Olimpico in front of you, because I realise it's a very special environment. I hope you welcome me in the right way. Forza Roma!"