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Federico Fazio has set his sights on playing for Roma for the rest of his career, while claiming that compatriot Javier Pastore is in his best shape since joining the club.
Fazio has been one of Roma's most-used defenders so far this season, at the start of his fourth full campaign with the club. The Argentine could add to his five league starts of 2019-20 on Sunday, when Roma travel to face Sampdoria - who have recently appointed former Giallorossi manager Claudio Ranieri, a coach under whom Fazio's form vastly improved last season. "Ranieri is a good manager with a lot of experience in football," Fazio told Sky Sport. "He’s arriving at a club who are going through a tough period, but given his experience, he can give them the motivation they need. We wish him well but we’ll greet him after the match: we want to win." Fazio is one of three Argentines in the squad, with the others, Diego Perotti and Javier Pastore, often having to combat fitness problems. But their teammate says both of the attacking midfielders are nearly ready to contribute again. "Diego returned to training last week, little by little he is picking up the pace to get back into the best shape possible. Pastore is always training hard, this is the best shape I’ve seen him in since he arrived." Another player with ties to Roma currently in Argentina is legendary former captain Daniele De Rossi, who is now playing for Boca Juniors. But when asked if he would follow his old teammate to the Argentine club, Fazio, 32, responded by pledging his future to Roma - with whom he signed a contract extension over the summer. "He’s doing well there and we hope they win against River Plate. I don’t know if I’ll finish my career there, I think I’ll finish it at Roma." Should Fazio start on Sunday, he will partner either Gianluca Mancini or Chris Smalling, with Paulo Fonseca yet to finalise his strongest centre-back partnership. However, Fazio says he is happy to play alongside either of them. "Playing right, left, with one player or another makes no difference. Smalling comes from the Premier League, which is different, Mancini is young and still has a lot ahead of him. I get along well with both." After the Sampdoria game, Roma will face Borussia Monchengladbach in the Europa League, a competition which fans have every right to be optimistic about the team's chances in. However, Fazio knows that, if they are to conquer the competition, Roma must take things one step at a time. "It’s a good competition - you can’t underestimate it. There’s already strong teams in it and then you’ll also have teams from the Champions League join. We have to continue calmly and slowly, let’s worry about winning the group first.
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Federico Fazio has signed a new two-year contract with Roma, keeping him at the club until 2021.
The Argentine defender's deal had been due to expire next summer, but he has now penned a one-year extension, which will take him into his fourth and fifth seasons with the club. “It’s my second renewal with the club and I am incredibly pleased,” Fazio told Roma's official website. “From the very first day here I have felt that the club has confidence in me, something that is important to every player. “I’ve sensed that belief from everyone who works at Trigoria – a place I want to stay at for the long-term.” It is believed that Fazio's €2.5m salary will be spread over the two years, making this an economically smart move from Roma.
To date, Fazio has made 135 appearances for Roma since joining on an initial loan deal from Tottenham in 2016. The 32-year-old has scored 11 goals in that time. Join the Giallorossi Yorkshire fantasy football league before the Serie A season kicks off!
Roma are expected to sign Turkish defender Mert Cetin within the coming hours - but it would not rule out an additional centre-back signing such as Dejan Lovren.
Paulo Fonseca has demanded to be provided with a new starting centre-back, with Federico Fazio not suited to his preference for a high line, despite still being a valuable rotation player. Roma seemingly missed out on primary target Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham Hotspur, meaning their focus has turned to Liverpool's Lovren - although they are set to bring Cetin in before the Croatian international. According to Il Tempo's Filippo Biafora and Sky Sport's Gianluca Di Marzio, Roma have agreed a deal with Genclerbirligi - who earned an immediate promotion back up from the Turkish second tier last season - for the 22-year-old defender, with the fee being in the region of €3.5m.
It is expected, however, that Cetin will be loaned out straight away, presumably to another Serie A side so he can acclimatise to the division. Therefore, Roma will still be able to pursue a high-level defender, with Lovren also believed to be close. Sky Sport say that Liverpool have accepted Roma's offer to take the vastly experienced Champions League winner and World Cup finalist on a season's loan with an obligation to buy for €25m once he reaches a certain number of appearances. Injuries have been a concern for Lovren in recent years, presumably a factor in the appearance clause, but he would still bring valuable experience to a young backline. AS Roma have completed the signing of Turkish winger Cengiz Under.
Aged 20, the wide man impressed for Istanbul Basaksehir last season, scoring seven goals. Under has 4 caps and 2 goals for Turkey and has stated that he is "delighted" to be at Roma, where he has signed a five-year contract. Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United were also interested in signing Under, who has been dubbed 'the new Dybala.' The fee for Roma's new number 17 is €13.4m, a record for a Turkish player in the Super Lig. In other transfer news, Roma have completed the permanent signing of Federico Fazio after his successful loan spell last season. Meanwhile, Mario Rui has left for Napoli on a season long loan with a performance-based obligation to buy. Young players Eros De Santis, Lorenzo Vasco and Matteo Ricci have also all left on loans, to Virtus Entella, Racing Club Roma, and Salernitana respectively. Under's signing is a positive for Roma who can continue to build on the current squad. Under adds depth to the side and his arrival shows that Roma can compete with big teams for new players. Hopefully Under will become a success in Italy. Benvenuto, Cengiz. |
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