With his first full season with the club in the books, Roma boss Jose Mourinho will be aiming for his team to make a major step forward in 2022/23.
Leaving the Premier League after nearly a decade, the ‘Special One’ proved to skeptics he still has the magic touch, ending Roma’s 14-year trophy draught and capturing the club’s first European trophy.
The capital club’s 1-0 victory over Feyenoord in the inaugural UEFA Conference League final obviously masked their underwhelming league campaign as they finished sixth in the table.
Entering the offseason, the various sportsbooks found at https://bookmaker-ratings.in/ still rank Roma behind the likes of Inter, Milan, and Juventus—most giving them the fifth best odds to win the league crown in 2022/23.
However, the summer transfer window provides the Giallorossi with a chance to upgrade their roster and aim for more in the upcoming season. Halfway through June, Mourinho’s side has already secured a few reinforcements for their roster, so let’s take a look at what they’ve done so far.
Mile Svilar
Although the deal hasn’t been made official, young goalkeeper Mile Svilar is effectively a Roma player. The 22 year-old joined the Italian side after his contract with Portuguese giants Benfica expired at the end of the 2021/22 season.
The Belgium-born Serbian international arrives in Rome to become the new vice-goalkeeper and understudy to veteran Rui Patricio.
Patricio, 34, proved to be a sensational acquisition last summer, providing an instant upgrade between the sticks for the team. He appeared in 53 of the team’s 55 fixtures in all competitions last season, very rarely receiving a breather.
After becoming the youngest goalkeeper to feature in the Champions League at age 18 years and 52 days in 2017, Svilar found playing time difficult to come by, often featuring for Benfica’s B-team in the Portuguese second division.
However, he’s likely going to receive more chances in the Italian capital as Jose Mourinho doesn’t want to wear out Patricio.
Nemanja Matić
The Serbian became the latest Manchester United player to reunite with the Special One in the Italian capital.
The towering midfielder joined the team on a free transfer after his Red Devils contract expired this month, ending his five-year run at the club.
His arrival at Roma immediately fills a physical and defensive presence in the middle of the pitch while adding much-needed depth to the team’s midfield department.
Zeki Çelik
While not official, Turkish international Zeki Çelik is just steps away from leaving Lille and joining Roma on a cut-rate deal.
Because his contract expires next June, the Ligue 1 side were willing to accept a lower transfer for the right back to avoid losing him for free.
Çelik will provide the Giallorossi with much needed competition on the right flank and offer Mourinho an alternative to current first choice Rick Karsdorp.
