GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Yesterday, it was confirmed that Rick Karsdorp will miss up to the next four weeks after picking up another injury in Roma's win over Sampdoria at the weekend.
The sight of Karsdorp on the treatment table has become all-too familiar during his time in Rome, with the full-back only starting three consecutive matches once across his two-year spell with the club. Indeed, within just five days of the Dutch international arriving at the club, he was undergoing surgery on his right knee, and since then, he has rarely been in full working order. This season, he has 13 appearances, showing some signs of progress. However, after another physical setback, it begs the question: just how long can Roma persevere with Karsdorp? Ahead of a summer in which plenty of change is expected, Karsdorp has been tipped by some fans as one name who should be on his way out. His extensive injury record mean he has been a far from reliable candidate to fill the starting right-back berth. Roma need a player there who can offer consistency and regularity. And with just 13 appearances for the club over two seasons, it looks like Karsdorp isn't that player. Roma have been patient with injured players in the past, in the hope that they may rediscover their previous form - a strategy which hasn't usually paid off. Karsdorp's Dutch compatriot Kevin Strootman instantly springs to mind. The midfielder spent the best part of two whole seasons out with ligament injuries, but the club decided to stand by him and wait for his recovery. When he did make his return, he was a shadow of the player he had once been, and was eventually sold in summer 2018. However, there does seem to be something different about Karsdorp, that means his long-term Roma future might not need to be in so much doubt. When he has been fit this season, he has looked rather impressive. Offensively, he likes to support the winger ahead of him, and his crossing is much better than one of Roma's alternatives in the position, Alessandro Florenzi. Karsdorp got an assist in the February win over Chievo Verona, one of the two occasions this season in which he has lasted all 90 minutes. In the defensive phase, he still has some things to learn, but has looked solid enough in terms of his reading of the game and desire to make blocks. In those two full games he played - the other being the Coppa Italia win over Virtus Entella - Roma kept clean sheets, which have been a rare commodity this season. It may be a coincidence, or it could be evidence that Karsdorp can be an effective component of Roma's defence. It's hard to find a really good right-back these days. In recent seasons, Roma have had to deal with a massively underwhelming Bruno Peres, a version of Maicon that was generally past its sell-by date, and the fact that midfielder Florenzi is still seen as an option there highlights the lack of depth that Roma have been able to find. However, on the few occasions when Karsdorp has been fully fit, he's tended to perform at a better standard than all three of the above. He may just still be that player Roma need. It may not be enough to convince everyone, but there have been enough positive signs for Roma to stay optimistic about Karsdorp for the future. If he can remain healthy, he deserves another chance next season.
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samuel bannister
Founder and editor of Giallorossi Yorkshire, who is also a columnist for Roma's official website about the women's team. Categories
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October 2019
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