With a pair of two-nil wins over Rangers and Udinese before the international break, the optimistic among us might suggest that Roma’s struggling attack is starting to take shape. With injuries forcing
his hand, Gian Piero Gasperini has gotten creative in recent matches, experimenting with different shades of the false-nine formation, even going so far as to include the rarely-used Tommaso Baldanzi in that role during the club’s win over Udinese last weekend.
While that’s all well and good (and hopefully a sign of Gasperini’s growing trust in Baldanzi, a CdT favorite), two decent matches can’t cover the stink that has enveloped the club’s attack for the past three months. With hardly any production from strikers Evan Ferguson and Artem Dobvyk, who have a combined €80 million price tag (including Ferguson’s option), Roma director Frederic Massara may have to choice but to dip into the January transfer market for solutions.
The name on everyone’s lips is Manchester United forward/attacking midfielder Joshua Zirkzee. The 24-year-old Dutchman parlayed an 11-goal, four-assist season with Bologna into a €42.5 million transfer to the Theatre of Dreams in 2024. However, since arriving at Old Trafford, it’s been more of a nightmare (sorry, I had to) for Zirkzee: 7 goals and two assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.
And like many other would-be star players suddenly sitting on the bench during a World Cup year, Zirkzee is reportedly eager to get more playing time in order to secure a spot on the Netherlands roster this summer. According to several Italian sources, Zirkzee is eyeing a return to Serie A, with Roma and Milan reportedly preparing to battle over his signature.
With both clubs in the thick of a five-team race at the top of the table, this won’t be an easy pursuit, so let’s hope that Zirkzee is intrigued by Gasperini’s track record with attacking players—it could be the boost Zirkzee needs to make the World Cup this summer.
