Roma are starting over with Donyell Malen, the Dutch striker who arrived to finally give the Giallorossi attack a defined face.
In just two, perhaps three, training sessions, Gian Piero Gasperini has chosen to immediately focus on him as a starter, giving him a starring role in a position that has been uncovered for far too long.
The former Aston Villa player inherits a historic and weighty jersey, worn in the past by illustrious names such as Pruzzo, Voeller, Batistuta, and Montella, and is preparing to make his mark from the first minute in his new colors.
The need for a true attacking powerhouse has become urgent after a series of ineffective attempts: Dybala, often deployed as a false nine, has played 435 minutes with just one goal, while Bailey, Baldanzi, and El Shaarawy have never found the net in a central role.
Given this situation, the arrival of Malen, who has already made 49 appearances and scored eight goals for the Netherlands (four in his last seven games), represents the ideal solution to bring balance and threat to the attack.
The new offensive configuration, writes La Gazzetta dello Sport, features the Dutchman as the central anchor, supported by the attacking midfielders Dybala and Soulé, in a new formula that combines talent, physicality, and experience.
Gasperini is banking on him not only for his technical ability, but also for his charisma and effectiveness, already demonstrated internationally with PSV, Borussia Dortmund, and Aston Villa.
