As the winter transfer market approaches, Roma finds themselves in the most important part of their season. Like all teams, the Giallorossi’s primary focus will be on the pitch, but they’ll also be identifying potential opportunities to improve their squad once the transfer window officially reopens on 1 January.
Led by manager Jose Mourinho, Roma have shown promise in various competitions, but there are areas that could benefit from strengthening to enhance their chances of success. These are just a couple positions Roma transfer chief Tiago Pinto could target in the coming weeks.
Central Defender
No other department has been stretched to its limit this season as Roma’s defence. Jose Mourinho’s options at the back have been extremely limited primarily due to the absences of Chris Smalling and Marash Kumbulla.
The former Manchester United man has been out since early September due to a chronic knee injury and there’s still no timetable for his return.
Meanwhile, Kumbulla recently returned to full training following the torn ACL injury he suffered last April. It’s doubtful he’ll be relied upon over the coming weeks but he’ll certainly have a role in the team in the late winter or early spring months.
To make matters worse, they’ll be without Evan Ndicka beginning in early January. The 24 year-old will be on international duty with Ivory Coast and participating in the Africa Cup of Nations.
As a result, there’s no question Tiago Pinto will have to find a central defender who’s prepared to not only play, but contribute right away.
Central Midfield
The Giallorossi will probably have their eyes on a new midfield reinforcement due to the Renato Sanches experiment being nothing short of a disaster.
From casual fans to those who enjoy Serie A betting in India, most aren’t shocked by the midfielder’s never-ending injury struggles. Since his loan arrival from PSG, the Portuguese international has missed 13 games and proved he can’t consistently be relied upon—a situation that has left Mourinho admittedly frustrated.
“Unfortunately, this is Sanches, he’s always at risk of getting hurt,” he lamented after Sanches was forced off early during a Europa League clash in late September.
“The whole thing is very difficult to understand. Bayer Munich couldn’t figure out the issue, PSG couldn’t, and now we’re struggling to understand it.”
Roma will likely look to acquire a low-cost, veteran option that gives Mourinho some reliability off the bench and the occasional spot start.
Conclusion
The winter transfer market presents clubs with an opportunity to fine-tune their squads and address any weaknesses that may have emerged during the first half of the season. Given their limited spending power, Roma’s senior executives along with manager Jose Mourinho must carefully assess the team’s needs and make strategic moves to secure the right reinforcements.
Whether it’s bolstering the midfield, fortifying the defense, or adding depth to the attacking options, a well-executed transfer strategy can propel the Giallorossi towards their season objective of securing a top four league finish, thus returning to the Champions League after nearly a half-decade. The January transfer window is a pivotal time, and the pressure will be on the capital club to make the right decisions before the final stretch of the campaign.
