Throughout yesterday’s , we waxed poetically in regards to the mixed brilliance of gamers like , , and Wesley França. And tomorrow, we plan on doing the identical after we solid our eyes in the direction of and the ahead. Nonetheless, right this moment’s assessment focuses on a barely extra confounding part of the pitch, the midfield.
As a lot as we decry Roma’s monitor file with creating and retaining full-backs, the membership’s file in midfield isn’t significantly better. Simply consider all of the names we’ve seen come and go over the previous a number of years: , Enzo Le Charge, , , , and even Sérgio Oliveira.
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In fact, moored in and amongst these names have been and , who continued to play important roles for the Giallorossi this season. And whereas Manu Koné has introduced much-needed tempo and depth to the place, the midfield nonetheless suffered by fallow intervals this season, missing creativity and being incessantly uncovered on counter assaults.
Nonetheless, it didn’t stop the membership from ending in third place and securing their First Champions League delivery because the 2018-2019 season, so it wasn’t all dangerous!
Learn alongside as we talk about the highs and lows of Gian Piero Gasperini’s midfield.
How would you consider Manu Koné’s general impression on Roma’s midfield in 2025–26, and in what areas does he nonetheless want to enhance to change into a very elite all-around midfielder? Can Roma cope with out him subsequent season?
JonAS: Koné won’t be the flashy, elite midfielder all of us need him to be, however each time he’s out, Roma at all times misses his presence in midfield. He does quite a lot of soiled work, annoys his opponents, and shuts down the opposite staff’s midfielders. He might work on his numbers (objectives, assists), however like I mentioned, take away him from the staff and you are feeling it instantly. If Roma does promote him (I hope not, however hey, FFP), his substitute have to be spot on. Apparently, additionally has a powerful Koné in midfield who might do the job. Or perhaps Ndour from .
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Bren: I used to suppose that Radja Nainngolan was simply being unnecessarily essential of Koné all through the season when he griped about individuals evaluating the 2 of them, along with his main criticism being that Koné didn’t contribute as a lot within the last third. However because the season wore on, that was actually the one wrinkle in Koné’s recreation. Apart from that, he has what it takes to change into a top-level box-to-box/ball-carrier hybrid midfielder.
As for whether or not or not they will cope with out him, they could haven’t any alternative. Of the gamers Roma might promote this summer season, he’d fetch essentially the most cash and will clear up their FFP complications quite simply. It is probably not a like-for-like substitute, however I like Leipzig’s for a extra conventional box-to-box midfielder.
ssciavillo: I feel Koné is significant to Roma’s midfield. He brings a dynamism that nobody else on the present roster affords within the middle of the park. His absence was positively felt in matches when he was unavailable as a consequence of harm. As the fellows talked about, his one true weak point is within the last third, the place his ending may be very poor at this level. Nonetheless, every thing else he does far outweighs that. Roma can cope with out him subsequent season in the event that they discover a appropriate substitute, however I hope they will hold him round for one more season to play within the Champions League. If he does should go to assist steadiness the finances, then let’s hope he tears it up on the World Cup for so Roma can maximize revenue. And let’s hope he’s offered overseas and to not Inter.
Bryan Cristante stays probably the most divisive gamers within the Roma squad: some supporters view him as an indispensable tactical anchor whose intelligence and flexibility maintain the midfield collectively, whereas others see him as emblematic of the staff’s lack of creativity and athleticism in sure matches. After the 2025–26 season, the place do you stand on Cristante’s function in Roma’s midfield, and may he proceed to be a central determine shifting ahead?
JonAS: At 31, maybe it’s time to make manner for youthful gamers like Pisilli, Koné, and Neil, however I feel Cristante himself isn’t prepared but. Comprehensible. He performed 36 video games in Serie A, and Roma completed third, so why would he step down and settle for a job as a sub?
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I do imagine he’s restricted, however alternatively, there aren’t any clear counterarguments to ‘exclude’ Cristante from the lineup. Possibly if Gasp had 3 different high-quality CMs to select from, however sadly, Roma doesn’t have that form of cash. Cristante is the last word ‘plug-and-play’ form of man who’s at all times obtainable. Each. Single. Week. So yeah, there are 35 extra Serie A video games in 2027, sir Bryan! Whether or not we prefer it or not.
Bren: Effectively, he’s obtained another 12 months on his deal, so he’ll nonetheless be a chunk of the puzzle after that. Given his limitations and age, I’d be very hesitant to supply him a brand new contract. Love him or hate him, you possibly can at all times rely on Cristante for 30 matches every season, and that’s not one thing to be taken evenly. As a part of the rotation, he’s reliable sufficient—Roma did end third, in any case—however as Roma’s ambitions improve, they should search for upgrades in every single place, significantly in midfield.
ssciavillo: There’s a saying that goes, “the best capacity is availability,” and Cristante epitomizes that. He’s a real staff man who will do no matter a supervisor asks of him. Far higher tactical minds than mine who’ve come by Rome have continued to play him persistently–whether or not that be Gasperini, , Mourinho, or others. So, whereas the criticism typically has some legs, there needs to be a cause each single supervisor continues to play him. I feel his finest function on the present roster is in a midfield rotation, the place different gamers proceed to develop into extra constant minutes, whereas Cristante’s minutes have come down a bit now that he’s previous 30. Nonetheless, I do suppose he’ll have an essential function for a minimum of one other season.
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Similar query, however level it at Lorenzo Pellegrini: Is he really match or Gasperini’s high-intensity strategy, or does he sap the midfield of tempo and depth when it’s wanted most? Is there a cheerful medium for the previous captain?
JonAS: Somebody in not too long ago talked about Roma’s outcomes with and with out Pellegrini this season and the distinction was apparent. Roma was manner higher sans Pellegrini. Though it hurts me to say this, as a result of I feel Lorenzo actually loves Roma, he’s holding Roma again greater than say Mancini or Cristante due to his ‘slower’ gameplay. And his AM function in Gasperini’s 3-4-2-1 is just too essential.
We’d like a severe improve there. A extra cellular, quicker, and extra aggressive model to enrich Wesley, Malen, and . That leaves solely two choices for Lorenzo: go away or settle for your function as mentor/sub. He might nonetheless be helpful towards slower opposition in Serie A and for the Italian quota, however not at his present wage.
Bren: Yeah, I can’t argue with any of that. Identical to with Cristante, it’s a query of the scale of their roles, however from the bounce, there have been questions on his suitability for Gasperini’s most popular type of play. You’ll bear in mind all of the headlines from late final summer season questioning whether or not he nonetheless had a spot on the staff. Then he was stripped of the captaincy, so his place beneath Gasp was at all times a bit iffy. Nonetheless, Pellegrini discovered a solution to stay a viable contributor and a relentless risk from set items.
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Actually, a repeat of this season (20 begins, 4 objectives, 2 assists in about 1,500 minutes) is correct up his alley. So if they will recreate that at a decrease wage, then I’d haven’t any drawback with Pellegrini returning. Had they completed fifth or sixth once more, I’d’ve been extra inclined to toss them each apart, however they nonetheless present worth to the membership; we simply have to regulate the barometer of our expectations and the scale of their roles.
ssciavillo: I’ve at all times been a supporter of Pellegrini all through the ups and downs of his Roma tenure, and I do hope he’s again on a cope with decrease wages. I nonetheless suppose he has one thing to supply, however I agree that it must be in a extra rotational function, the place he performs towards the precise opponents in Serie A and a few of the decrease sides within the Champions League.
Let him be the man who supplies management within the locker room and fills a depth function. In spite of everything, we at all times speak about Roma’s lack of depth, so if he’s keen to stay round at an affordable worth to offer that, I feel he nonetheless has the flexibility to contribute. Bren talked about his Serie A contributions, however he additionally had 3 objectives and a couple of assists within the EL, bringing his whole to 7 objectives and 4 assists in slightly below 2,000 minutes. Not too shabby.
Niccolò Pisilli emerged as Roma’s most promising younger midfielder, displaying maturity, work price, and confidence properly past his age. Did Pisilli show he’s prepared for a everlasting beginning function shifting ahead, and what elements of his recreation nonetheless want refinement for him to change into a real top-level Serie A midfielder?
JonAS: Yeah, I suppose Pisilli is now firmly a part of the staff and certainly gained’t be loaned out to a smaller membership anymore. I actually like the child. He’s humble and hardworking. Possibly he tries too exhausting now and again. There’s room for development (for example, the penalty foul vs. Good), however fortunately there will probably be loads of possibilities subsequent season. Lastly, he can show himself vs. the massive boys within the Champions League, so there will probably be rising pains. I really feel Gasp used this season as one large take a look at for Niccolo, and he positively handed it. will play a fair larger half subsequent season. That’s my wager.
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Bren: As lauded as Roma’s academy is, it’s been a number of years because the membership has loved the fruits of these labors, as a consequence of gamers being offered or failing to fulfill expectations. Pisilli appears prepared for a bigger function subsequent season; it’s merely a matter of mastering the finer factors of the place. However his first 12 months with Gasp was an encouraging begin: 4 objectives and 4 assists in all competitions whereas taking part in CM, DM, and a little bit of AM.
He has a vibrant future forward of him and appears more likely to be an 8-10-year starter for the membership if every thing breaks proper.
ssciavillo: I actually do like Pisilli’s recreation and suppose he has firmly established himself as a everlasting a part of the first-team rotation. After I consider an out-and-out starter, I’d say sure, as a part of a four-man rotation in Gasperini’s midfield, in addition to a man who can plug and play in attacking midfield when accidents and fatigue go away us quick in that place. I like his aggressiveness and nostril for aim, and I feel he’ll proceed to develop and ultimately flourish beneath GPG.
Neil El Aynaoui added power and composure to Roma’s midfield, however his season highlighted challenges in adapting to Serie A’s bodily and tactical calls for. How would you consider his first season, and what areas must be prioritized for his improvement to change into a extra dependable long-term participant?
JonAS: Neil is likely one of the tougher gamers for me to evaluate. He clearly has expertise, and he was a monster in the course of the Africa Cup. However he couldn’t keep that type after New Yr. The step as much as Serie A was a curler coaster, however in latest weeks we noticed a greater, extra motivated NEA, a midfield destroyer.
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Neil strikes me as an emotional man who wants the boldness, love and help of his workers, followers and colleagues. It might be a disgrace to promote Neil after just one season and easily attempt our luck with one other man. A very good World Cup with , adopted by an excellent preseason, might actually assist NEA explode and unleash his inside Radja or in his second season at Roma.
Bren: As a result of he performed so sporadically and so erratically, it’s troublesome to make a correct evaluation of NEA. Nonetheless, his upswings have been unbelievable, and he supplied glimpses of the facility and tempo he can convey to the midfield. Whereas he’s not precisely younger by footballing requirements, he’s by no means performed greater than 1,700 minutes in a season, so there may be nonetheless room for development. His function subsequent 12 months will actually rely upon what occurs with Koné and Cristante, however he positively piqued my curiosity this 12 months, and I’m intrigued to see what he can provide subsequent season.
ssciavillo: It’s actually exhausting to actually assess his first season as a result of he performed beneath 1,000 Serie A minutes and solely made 8 begins. He missed time for AFCON and made most of his significant appearances within the Europa Lesgue–which I don’t get to look at too carefully due to the timing of matches in the course of the workday. So, I’ll withhold judgement till we see extra of him. Nonetheless, if his performances for Morocco are any indication of what he can really change into than Roma ought to have a high quality midfielder prepared to assist out much more subsequent season when high quality depth will probably be much more essential if the membership strives to progress now {that a} high 3 end and UCL qualification have been achieved this season.
Your flip: What did you make of Roma’s midfield this season? Are Pellegrini and Cristante holding them again? Can they survive with out Koné? Is El Aynaoui a future starter?