A week filled with mixed emotions in Rome. Dybala agreed to extend his contract, but Celik unexpectedly joined Juventus
following a last-minute change of heart or financial decision.We all knew there were some difficult dossiers for Roma’s management this summer. The contracts of Celik, Dybala, and Pellegrini expired, while Roma had to decide what to do with Mancini and Cristante: sell now or extend after 2027.
This week, two of those cases have been resolved (or resolved on their own). Dybala’s renewal
was arguably the worst kept secret of 2026. Paulo agreed to lower his wages, but numerous factors—such as goals, assists, trophies, minutes played, or even unrelated things like sneezing or bathroom visits—could still boost the overall amount.
The situation with Dybala is now quite clear: it’s almost like a pay-per-view. Another season marred by injuries won’t significantly hurt Roma’s finances, but a fully fit Dybala performing at his best would be more costly. Still, Dybala’s magic likely secures us a top 4 finish, a decent Champions League run, and hopefully a Coppa. Tifosi are happy because a beloved player remains, making it a win-win situation.
While Dybala’s outcome was predictable, Celik took a completely different route. Despite many media outlets suggesting an extension, the Turk opted to join Juventus following a last-minute intervention by the Bianconeri, led by Massara. Clearly, he secured a better deal, but how does this impact Roma?
Gasperini was eager to retain Celik, as Zeki was one of his mainstays, alongside Mancini, Cristante, and Svilar, so it seems the old man isn’t pleased about this. The fans? Well, unlike Dybala’s case, opinions on Celik are more divided. Zeki has never been the most popular or flashy player in Rome.
Overall, he’s dependable and a team player, never a diva. While he’s not a bad player, the issue was Gasp kept deploying him as a wingback, even though everyone knew he was better suited as a right-center-back, similar to how Ranieri used him two seasons ago. His defensive work is decent, but he doesn’t pose much of an attacking threat like Wesley or prime Angelino. Additionally, Rensch virtually secured our win in Parma, a crucial victory in the CL race at the time. Therefore, I have no objections to giving him more chances next season.
Ultimately, replacing someone like Dybala is much more difficult and costly than replacing Celik. If choosing between the two, Paulo would be the clear choice. However, losing a player to a rival always stings, especially one with four Serie A seasons and plenty of inside knowledge about the club. Oh well, Rensch steps in to save the day once more, I suppose.
