The Latest AS Roma News
It's not quite worked out for Juan Manuel Iturbe since he became Roma's second ever most expensive signing in 2014. He struggled to find goals, and form in general, after arriving with a reputation of potentially being the next Lionel Messi. Somehow, somewhere, something went wrong.
He was loaned out to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth last January and managed just the two league appearances, a baffling fact when you consider his quality, and that of the team he joined. Again, this season, he struggled for a run of appearances in the first half of the season, being moved on to Torino in January. Once again, he hasn't quite hit the ground running in Turin, but seems to have been doing reasonably well when he has played. Recently, he scored his first goal in a long time, in Torino's draw with Sampdoria, something which clearly meant a lot to a player who had promised so much in the past. He has also contributed three assists in his spell with the Granata. Iturbe's most valuable aspect may be his work rate. He is a hard working player who gives his all in every match, even if the end product isn't quite there. He is also a good dribbler of the ball. Roma, for the second season in a row, will have a difficult decision to make on his future when his loan expires in the summer. Reports from Tuttosport suggest that Iturbe may well be staying at Roma for 2017/18 - but Diego Perotti may be going the other way. Roma still owe Genoa €9m following Perotti's initial loan spell in the capital and subsequent permanent signing. It is suggested that Roma would be willing to let Torino pay that instead, and take Iturbe back. Something doesn't add up though. Unlike Iturbe, Perotti has been outstanding since he arrived at Roma last January. He has consistently got his name on the score sheet, with seven goals and six assists in 30 Serie A games this year, and has shown adaptability to play as a winger, midfielder or false nine. Perhaps the best thing about his game is his ability with either foot, being able to dazzle full backs as he either races to the byline, or cuts inside onto his slightly stronger right foot. Finances aside, why would Roma want rid of him? In an episode of the brilliant Szczesny Show, courtesy of Roma TV, the Polish goalkeeper confirmed that Perotti was the player who has surprised him most since he has been in Rome. And Szczesny would certainly not be alone in his amazement at the winger's technical skill. Apart from Totti, obviously, there are few more skilful players in the current Giallorossi crop than the Argentine. His penalty taking is also ridiculously good, as he consistently freezes the goalkeeper out in a reversal of the typical keeper-on-taker mind games. He stares the goalkeeper out, deciding at the last second which way he is going, leaving the keeper confused, startled, clueless. I have long praised Perotti this season. Unfortunately, a couple of muscle injuries suffered in January and February had pegged him back a little from his earlier season form, but recent performances show he has recovered all his greatest attributes. Until another injury forced him to be substituted, against AC Milan earlier this month he was phenomenal. I am also a fan of Iturbe, but, from his point of view, I would question whether a third straight season of trying at Roma and then being loaned out if it hasn't worked would be beneficial for his career. He is at a crucial age where he needs to settle down, put a string of great performances together, and recapture the glory of his Verona days. Maybe Roma could sell him, and retain a buyback clause, as they have with Antonio Sanabria and Lorenzo Pellegrini, in the case that he should return to his best at a new club. Is it worth a go with him for one more season though? It is a difficult question that will depend on Monchi and Roma's next manager, needless to say, and their opinions of him. He is a player who could be so much greater than he is; he just needs to find that consistent game time to help him progress.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
October 2019
Categories
All
|