GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
When Gerson was named on the starting team sheet against Juventus in December, it came as quite a surprise to Roma fans. In one of the most important matches of the season, Luciano Spalletti opted for one of the youngest and most inexperienced members of his squad. It was only his second start in Serie A this season. To this date, he has still only made the two league starts for Roma.
In the Juventus game, he clearly looked out of his depth - winning only one of his four duels - and was consequently substituted off at half time. However, it was perhaps equally surprising as him starting, that that would be his final start for Roma for a very long time (also considering that he has not been injured). When featuring in the Europa League, often in a defensive midfield role, he showed glimpses of being a decent player. He seems to have a range of qualities, such as ball control and passing, with Roma general manager Mauro Baldissoni describing him on his arrival as "the most promising U20 midfielder in the world." But for someone at such a young age, with decent potential, better management this season would have been key. It was Gerson's personal decision this year not to be loaned out, so that he could learn from Luciano Spalletti and ply his trade among some of the best players in Italy, getting to understand the coaches' methods and to train with his future teammates. His situation reevaluated in January, it was again suggested a loan may be beneficial for him if the right option came about, but this did not materialise. Now, Roma are looking towards a 2017/18 season with a different manager at the helm currently held by Spalletti. How wasteful it seems then, that Gerson has spent a year learning the methods of a coach who will, should the player stay at Roma, likely not be his coach next season. His game time has been limited where a loan spell would have increased it, making only 4 Serie A appearances in comparison to 29 at Fluminense in his native Brazil last campaign. Game time is essential for young players' development (just see how former Roma academy product Lorenzo Pellegrini has performed at Sassuolo this season with the benefit of increased minutes on the pitch). Gerson, although initially due to his own decision, has been denied this, and his progress has thus been stinted. He remains a talented player, and one that Roma should keep hold of for the future, but whoever is his manager next season should consider how many minutes of first team football he plays, and whether this could be increased if he temporarily turns out elsewhere.
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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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