AS Roma will hope to turn their season around with much needed January additions as we mark the opening of the first 2016 transfer window with a look at five players that will help the hopeful Serie A contenders’ cause.
What needs improvement?
The Giallorossi have had an up-and-down run so far and thus will be looking for some reinforcements in the transfer window to boost the side into the second-half of the campaign. One of area of concern for coach Rudi Garcia is the defence, conceding more goals than any other side during the Champions League group stage and keeping less than five clean sheets all season. In the forward department, Roma will also be looking to bring in firepower. After starting the season on fire, the current attackers have fallen flat and new faces may be needed to reignite a charge to the Serie A summit.
Wojciech Szczesny (On loan from Arsenal) – Goalkeeper
The Polish goalkeeper joined Roma from English side Arsenal on loan in the summer. He did not endure the best start with some questionable displays and off-field antics, including a declaration of his desire to go back to his parent club Arsenal. However, with the exceptional form of Petr Cech in the North London goal it is clear that Szczesny’s short and medium-term future is not as No.1 at the Emirates. At Roma it would be different. After impressing in the final weeks of 2016, particularly in the game against BATE Borisov, the club are now keen to turn Szczesny’s move into a permanent one. Roma would have to convince Szczesny that his future lies is in the Italian capital and not London, but it would ultimately prove a great move for all parties.
Wojciech Szczęsny has kept 4 clean sheets and made 2.27 saves per goal conceded at Roma. pic.twitter.com/F2uzmSZxQT
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 23, 2015
Salvatore Sirigu (PSG) – Goalkeeper
Should Roma be unable to secure a permanent move for Szczesny then a deal to sign the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper could well be on the cards. Sirigu has openly admitted that he would like to leave the French capital, after making just one appearance in Ligue 1 so far this season. Despite the offer of a January move to England with Aston Villa, Sirigu has rejected the opportunity due to their lowly position in the Premier League. With just six months to go until the beginning of Euro 2016, the 28-year-old is determined to impress Italy coach Antonio Conte and force his way into the Azzurri squad. A move to Roma would be the perfect opportunity for him to do just that.
Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) – Right-back
The right-hand side of the pitch has become a problem for Garcia this season and the Frenchman may turn to a trusted name to help him solve it. Debuchy and Garcia enjoyed great success at French side Lille together and though since then their careers have gone down different paths, the pair could be reunited in Rome. Debuchy has struggled for game time this season at Arsenal after losing his starting spot to youngster Hector Bellerin and is now angling for a move away from the Emirates as he hopes to earn a place in France’s Euro 2016 squad. Although Lyon and West Bromwich Albion are also interested in his services, the Giallorossi will be hopeful of signing the 30-year-old. A natural right-back would let the talented Alessandro Florenzi express himself further up the pitch and thus give Roma much needed balance.
Diego Perotti (Genoa) – Attacking-midfield
The Argentinian winger could well be the first signing Roma make in January. Perotti appears to be edging nearer to a move to the Stadio Olimpico to provide some much needed dynamism. Earlier in the season the duo of Gervinho and Mohamed Salah were tearing defences apart from their two wings, yet injury to the former and a dip of form to the latter has blunted Roma’s threat going forward. Perotti was impressive last season as he helped guide Genoa to a sixth place finish in Serie A, though he was close to a move away from the Rossoblu in the summer, with Napoli and Inter close to signing him.
His form has suffered from the transfer talk, only scoring one goal and recording just one assist so far this season, but on his day he is one of the best wide men in Italy. Also, as he has not played in Europe this season, Perotti would be eligible for Roma’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid in February. A spark is needed in January and Perotti may just be the man to provide it.
Stephan El Shaarawy (On loan at Monaco) – Striker
Another player who wants a chance to impress ahead of Euro 2016 in France in the summer, Roma are lining up a deal to bring El Shaarawy back to Serie A. His current club Monaco looks intent on freezing out the player in order to avoid activating his buyout clause from his parent side AC Milan, yet Roma and the Rossoneri have reportedly agreed terms for a deal and the Italian international is open to the move. After breaking onto the scene as a youngster at the San Siro, his career has faltered. The 23-year-old is at somewhat of a crossroads and his next move could be make-or-break. The pacey forward should be entering his peak not fading away and under Garcia, in Rome El Shaarawy has the potential and ability to really shine. It could well be a gamble that saves the Frenchman’s job.
Conclusion
Roma clearly needs to add to their ranks in January, though keeping hold of their stars is just as important for the under-pressure Garcia. as Real Madrid have reportedly opened talks with main man Miralem Pjanic. Though if the Bosnian did move to the Spanish side, he would be ineligible for the Champions League knockout tie between the two, it would still be a huge blow for the Giallorossi – as would losing Alessandro Florenzi, with speculation of a potential move to Barcelona refusing to go away. Garcia can ill afford to get the January transfer window wrong, as his job may well depend on it.
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