[The following is a guest post from Zach Lowy of Breaking the Lines. For more of Zach’s work, be sure to follow him on social media]
Roma are currently locked in a thrilling four-way battle with Como, Juventus, and Atalanta for a Champions League qualification spot. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side has kept itself in the race despite being without forward Paulo Dybala for a significant part of the season.
The 32-year-old has bagged just two goals and three assists in 17 Serie A appearances this term. He
is sidelined with a knee injury at the moment. Having remained in contention for a top-four finish without Dybala, the club must consider whether it is worth extending his stay.
With that in mind, read on as we look at Dybala’s impact at Roma, before assessing whether the club should sever ties with him this summer.
Dybala establishes himself as a fan favorite
Dybala was one of the bargains of the century when he joined Roma on a free transfer in 2022. He was a five-time Serie A champion with Juventus and a World Cup winner with Argentina. He was viewed as the missing piece in Roma’s ongoing quest to reclaim their place in the upper echelons of Italian football.
After Jose Mourinho had led the Giallorossi to the Europa Conference League title in 2021/22, Dybala was brought in to bolster the squad as they looked to push into the top four in Serie A. The Argentine forward wasted no time vindicating the club’s investment, bagging 18 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances across all competitions in his debut campaign.
He also fired Roma to the Europa League final, tallying five goals and an assist in 11 games. He scored in the final against Sevilla, although Roma were ultimately defeated after a penalty shoot-out. Dybala continued to be a key part of Roma’s new look frontline the following season, bagging 16 goals and 10 assists in 39 games.
While he is now firmly established as a fan favorite in Rome, it may be time for the club to move on from him at the end of the season.
Dybala’s decline in form is concerning.
Dybala’s dip in form is no surprise, considering he had already started declining when his recurring injury problems started during the previous campaign. His impact had reduced significantly, with Dybala weighing in just eight goals and four assists in 36 appearances across all competitions last term.
The Argentine’s influence has diminished even further this time around, notching three goals and four assists in 22 games. He is a shadow of his former self. Roma are understandably stalling on a new deal. Dybala currently earns €8 million per season, an exorbitant amount considering the financial turmoil they are facing.
Roma are hoping to ease the pressure by trimming their wage bill and are only open to keeping Dybala beyond this summer if he agrees to a pay cut.
However, they would be well-advised to move on from the five-time Serie A winner, who is clearly past his prime. Dybala’s injury woes are the primary concern. A combination of knee and hamstring problems has reduced his influence. He has started in just 12 of his 17 league games this term.
Dybala’s initial influence at Roma means he will remain a cult hero, but extending his stay even at half his current salary would not be a sensible move. Donyell Malen and Matias Soule are currently spearheading Roma’s push for a place in the Champions League. The club needs to rebuild around that duo.
The SPL would be a sensible landing spot for Dybala
Dybala rejected a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) last year, but he should not hesitate to go there if clubs reignite their interest this summer. The demands of playing in Serie A have clearly taken their toll on Dybala, and he must accept that he can no longer cut it at that level.
The Argentine has previously claimed that he and his family are happy in Rome, but sentiment cannot factor into decisions made by either party. As evidenced by Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, the drop-off in elite-level players tends to happen quickly. Salah will likely end up in the SPL this summer, and Dybala should follow suit.
The lower standard would allow Dybala to extend his career for a few more years. Staying in Serie A is not a viable option for the Argentine. Major League Soccer (MLS) could also be an option, although clubs there may be unwilling to risk taking a punt on a player who has been struggling with injuries.
While Dybala has undoubtedly been a good signing for Roma, all good things must come to an end. The love affair must be halted this summer.
