AS Roma: Their smart market moves and Mourinho’s plans for the new season explained – scout report

AS Roma underwent a huge improvement under José Mourinho in the 2021/22 season, with the team building an identity and ending on a high note with their UEFA Europa Conference League triumph. After finishing sixth in the Serie A last term, their ambition to improve was underlined by their summer transfer window moves.

The team have been quite active so far, and whilst they haven’t spent big money on new players, they have been smart enough to secure some very experienced free agents who increase the value of the team and can fit Mourinho’s vision well.

At the time of writing, the only fee they have paid is €7.00m for the right-back Zeki Çelik, who was one of Lille’s key players last season. The manager made sure to reunite with Nemanja Matić, as well as to secure the signature of Georginio Wijnaldum, both brought with an aim to achieve dominance in midfield.

The highlight of their summer, though, was the arrival of Paulo Dybala on a free transfer from Juventus. The Argentine received a warm welcome from the fans and is expected to increase Roma’s efficiency in front of the goal along with their goalscorer from last season Tammy Abraham.

In our tactical analysis, we examine how the new additions could fit Giallorossi’s tactics and what can be expected from them in the new campaign.

Their smart transfer market moves

Before diving into what can the new signings bring to the team, it is worth mentioning that the team not only secured players in much-needed positions without spending millions, but actually, the outgoing transfers have brought in €41.35m back to the club, which they still have the time to spend on someone new, although the only rumoured player to be targeted by Mourinho is the Manchester United defender Eric Bailly.

One of the most anticipated transfers of the summer was Dybala’s move to the capital. The 28-year-old Argentine will bring a much-needed edge to Roma’s attack. While Abraham became the leading figure in front of the goal, scoring 27 goals in all competitions last season, the team needed a player to support his actions after the departure of Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Internazionale and the rumoured departure of Nicolò Zaniolo.

Dybala certainly could increase the team’s efficiency in the final third, not only by providing a direct threat to the goal but also by combining with his teammates and helping with ball retention. That’s mainly thanks to his dribbling skills that he uses to take on defenders and exploit spaces. Last season, he averaged 5.58 dribbling attempts per 90, which helped him in threatening the goal but also in finding quality positions to set his teammates up. His high pass completion rate sets the expectations high, as he could use his abilities to provide quality balls to Abraham.

Dybala’s constant movement off the ball could help Roma in increasing their efficiency from outside the box. The team attempted a high number of shots from distance last season, but very few of them have been accurate enough to threaten the goal.

Matić is another player Mourinho insisted on signing and it might turn out that he is a good match for Roma’s playing style. As we explained in our scout report on him, the Serbian can influence the team’s actions both in and out of possession. His composure can support the team in their build-up as he can spread the ball, while his teammates exploit the more advanced areas.

With his long-range passes, he can supply the ball directly to the attackers and help with breaking the lines, increasing the team’s chances in attack.