Throughout the course of the club’s history, Roma have a always been a special phenomena in Italian football. Although it holds the name of arguably the greatest empire that the world has ever witnessed, the football club never quite managed to conquer the sporting landscape. Yes, the Giallorossi were crowned Italian champions on three separate occasions, but these triumphs remain few and too far between. It’s simply incomparable to the great dynasties forged by the three big boys of Calcio (Juventus, Milan and Inter).
Yet, the capital side is apparently eager to turn its fortunes to the better. Last season, we wondered if José Mourinho would be able to elevate the club’s status from a mere sideshow to serious contenders. While the Portuguese tactician couldn’t pose a threat for the traditional superpowers in the Scudetto race, clinching the first ever Europa Conference League title might foretell great exploits for the Romans on the domestic and continental levels, especially on the back of a promising transfer campaign.
So here are three signs that Roma and Mourinho are on the right path in their attempts to build something special.
Star Signings
Let’s begin with the obvious. Any team that aspires to improve from one campaign to another must do the talking on the transfer market, and that is exactly what Roma have been doing this summer.
Earlier this week, the Lupi presented their newest signing Paulo Dybala in an astonishing fashion befitting of his status as one of the greatest stars in Serie A during the past decade.
Nemanja Matic had also arrived to reunite with old mentor Mourinho and add some valuable experience to the middle of the park. After all, a club that intends to challenge must find the right balance between hungry young players and savvy veterans.
However, sporting director Tiago Pinto hasn’t concluded his business just yet, as Roma are apparently set to sign PSG wantaway Georginio Wijnaldum who was one the most explosive midfielders in the Premier League during his time at Liverpool.
Maintaining the Core
While La Magica has been able to provide Mourinho with some wonderful new signings, the club’s daunting task has always been maintaining their best stars.
Whether it’s an unstoppable forward like Mo Salah, a force of nature like Antonio Rudiger or even a charismatic goalkeeper like Alisson Becker, the management had scarcely resisted the temptation to sell when richer clubs came knocking on the door.
But this time around, it appears that the Friedkins aren’t succumbing to the pressure. Instead, the American owners are willing to maintain their most prized assets, including the likes of Tammy Abraham and Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Perhaps Nicolò Zaniolo could eventually take the highway, but it would surely require an enormous fee to prize the enigmatic Italian away from the Eternal City.
Global Following
In the past 12 months or so, Calcio fans must have noticed a vastly growing following for Roma on the global stage. The club which has mostly been an afterthought on the worldwide level (except for rare occasions) has suddenly attracted the attention of foreign observers.
Naturally Mourinho’s unmatched charisma is the most impactful element in the equation, but the presence of English internationals Abraham and Chris Smalling has also generated some interest from the British isles. Add a superstar like Dybala to the fold, and you get an international following that could exceed the rest of the Serie A pool.
Now surely titles are won on the pitch and not on social media, but the booming level of following that Roma are recently receiving will have an important positive impact on the club’s finances and its ability to attract some of the finest players in the world.
In conclusion, the signs are there, but it’s now up to the Special One and his men to translate the positive vibes currently felt in the atmosphere at Trigoria into great triumphs at the Stadio Olimpico.
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