Here are RomaPress‘ player grades and awards from the 2016-2017 season.
Best Player: Radja Nainggolan
Most Improved Player: Emerson Palmieri
Flop of the Season: Gerson
Best New Arrival: Alisson
Player Grades
Goalkeepers
Wojciech Szczesny: 8.5
Led Serie A in clean sheets with 14 in 38 appearances. The Polish goalkeeper took a major leap this season and went from an indecisive and unreliable player to a mature, professional, and calm presence at the back.
Alisson: 7
Impressed when given chances in the Champions League, Europa League, and Coppa Italia. With the likely departure of Szczesny, Alisson is more than ready to be named the first choice goalkeeper at Roma.
Defenders
Bruno Peres: 4
The Brazilian had arguably the most disappointing season of any Giallorossi player, especially relative to the expectations that were placed on the shoulders of the wide-man.
Kostas Manolas: 5.5
The Greek defender had a huge drop-off from last season and was extremely underwhelming in the latter part of the season.
Federico Fazio: 7
The Argentine was a pleasant surprise for the Giallorossi. In the middle of Roma’s back three, Fazio excelled and was one of the strongest players for Roma this season.
Antonio Rudiger: 7
Perhaps Roma’s most consistent and most reliable defender. It was another strong campaign for Rudiger, who proved himself to be decisive in pivotal matches.
Thomas Vermaelen: 4
His sending off in his debut against Porto seemed to be foreshadowing the remainder of his season. The Belgian was nothing short of terrible and was essentially persona non grata in the second half of the season.
Juan Jesus: 5.5
The former Inter man wasn’t as terrible as many thought he’d be, but he was not any better than “average”.
Emerson Palmieri: 8
The most improved player of the season for Roma. The Brazilian, who was tipped to be second choice to Mario Rui in the pre-season, had a stellar campaign and was one of the Giallorossi’s most consistent performers.
Mario Rui: 5.5
While his season was hampered by tearing his ACL late in the pre-season, Rui did not impose himself when given opportunities.
Midfielders
Leandro Paredes: 5.5
The Argentine left a lot to be desired. He would have moments of brilliance while also having moments of pure foolishness. He needs to improve his consistency in his performances.
Daniele De Rossi: 6
Like Paredes, De Rossi had a very up and down season. He scored some very important goals late in the season but had far too many brain lapses for a player of his ilk.
Radja Nainggolan: 9.5
Perhaps Roma’s most important and most consistent player. Nainggolan is and remains the Giallorossi’s best player and he made the leap from “good” to “world class” this season.
Kevin Strootman: 8.5
Strootman had an extremely impressive and, along with Nainggolan, proved that Roma simply cannot function without him in the side.
Alessandro Florenzi: 6.5
Roma were undoubtedly dealt a huge blow when Florenzi when out injured. Other than his horrific blunder against Cagliari, Florenzi had a solid campaign.
Clement Grenier: 5.5
It’s very hard to give the Frenchman a proper grade. He was only given a handful of chances, but appeared to strong when he was on the pitch, such as against Palermo.
Gerson: 3.5
The Brazilian will go down in Roma folklore as perhaps the most underwhelming, unimpressive, and head-scratching player, who somehow cost the Giallorossi €18 million.
Attackers
Francesco Totti: 6
The penultimate season for the captain, who seemed to only appear in 5-10 minute cameos, which was a bit baffling considering the Giallorossi really could have used his creative ability at certain points.
Diego Perotti: 6
Perotti found himself on the bench in the second half of the season. He proved to be one of Roma’s most creative forces in the final third, but certainly should have had more goals to his name.
Stephan El Shaarawy: 6.5
Another hot and cold player, who needs to improve his consistency. The Italian really seemed to find his groove in March, April, and May.
Mohammed Salah: 8.5
It was another fantastic season for the ex-Chelsea man. Salah proved to be one of the Giallorossi’s most lethal attackers. With 19 goals and 15 assists to his name this season, Salah once again showed that he’s arguably Roma’s most important attacking player.
Edin Dzeko: 9
The capocannoniere of Serie A, which is still difficult to grasp considering how poor he was for the Giallorossi last season. The Bosnian had a “rebirth” this season and mastered the ability to evade defenders in the area.
Manager
Luciano Spalletti: 7
Yes, Spalletti set a points record for Roma and will undoubtedly be missed at times next season. However, the stretch from March to April where Roma lost to Lyon, Lazio, and Napoli certainly leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans.