AS Roma are a club historically marked by legendary Brazilian right-backs such as Cafu and Maicon.
Now, I Giallorossi have signed potentially another one in Wesley França.
The deal reinforces Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad with a quality right-back capable of upgrading the team’s balance, solidity and threat on that flank.
This scout report will assess Wesleys abilities and compare them to those of the starting right-back, Mehmet Zeki Çelik, to determine how Wesley fits into the picture.
The player analysis will also identify what Wesley needs to improve in order to be successful at Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini tactics.
Who Is Wesley França?
Wesley is a 21-year-old right-back who started his career at Atlético Tubarão before joining Flamengo soon after, in December 2021.
Wesley has attracted considerable attention, especially from European teams, during the past few seasons.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup made things clearer for those interested in the Brazilian internationals services.
Choosing to move to AS Roma as his first European destination can be considered a double-edged sword.
Roma are known for being a club whose environment is complicated due to media and fan scrutiny.
This makes it a bit complicated for some players to adapt to their mentality and lifestyle in general.
That said, joining Roma during the current period is very positive, mainly because the club seems to be heading in the right direction, especially following Claudio Ranieris work last season.
It is also important to note that Ranieri is still working with the current management, which brings some continuity from the previous campaign.
What is even more positive for Wesley is that he will be coached by a manager who is experienced in experimenting with talents and helping them reach their full potential.
We are talking about Gian Piero Gasperini, who just started coaching Roma a few weeks ago.
He is capable of improving Wesleys performances and making him shine in Serie A if they get along well and if Wesley adapts well to Serie A and Gian Piero Gasperinis tactics.
That said, Wesley is a flexible right-back who is mainly used to a back four rather than a back three.
That would represent the initial challenge for Wesley, as he will have to adapt to his new position according to Gasperini’s preferred 3-5-2 formation or 3-4-3 formation.
It is essential to know that Wesley masters both the defensive and attacking phases.
He has the qualities needed for both roles and the technical capacities that make him a dangerous playmaking right-back.
Therefore, it will not be problematic for him to play with more freedom as a wing-back in Gasperini’s system, knowing that such a role would grant him extra freedom of movement in attack and fewer defensive restrictions.
Wesley França Heat Map
Under Gasperinis management, Wesley will advance more often and participate in Roma’s triangular passes on the wing, as that’s one of Gasperini’s attacking tools to reach the opposing goal.
Playing as a wing-back will also increase his potential goalscoring and assist-making numbers as he will be playing closer to the final third.
Therefore, Wesley should exploit
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