Gasperini: ‘Roma working on Dovbyk weaknesses’ and need great strikers | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini reveals how he is trying to improve Artem Dovbyk ‘weaknesses’ and the players Roma still need to bring in this summer. ‘The teams with the best strikers are the most competitive.’

They are on a pre-season tour in the UK and training at St. George’s Park ahead of friendly matches against Aston Villa on August 6 and then Everton on August 9.

“We are now into the final phase of preparation and this is the ideal place because of the weather, so we also have some good tests coming up,” Gasperini told reporters.

This is a brand new project with a radically different style of football, but also a big change for him too after nine years of working with Atalanta.

“A few roles need to be filled, but the team is taking shape. A lot will depend on how strong we are in attack and that can determine the strength of the squad. It’s not just true for us, but for all teams, you see that the biggest investments are made on the forwards. The teams with the best strikers are the most competitive.”

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Roma already have some big names upfront, although Paulo Dybala is still recovering from a serious injury, while Dovbyk has struggled in his first Serie A season.

“Dybala is with us going through his personalised training schedule, but we hope next week he can return to working with the squad. Dovbyk was a big investment, he scored goals and showed he is a valuable centre-forward,” said Gasperini.

“We are working to improve some of his weaknesses, like his ability to link up with the rest of the team. He mustn’t be too early or too late, so it’s like music, if you have the wrong tempo, it becomes a problem.”

Roma have already brought in several new faces this summer, including Flamengo wingback Wesley, who had already been targeted by Gasperini at his old club.

“He is a player who was in Roma’s sights, and I knew him well because Atalanta had practically done a deal last year, then it all fell apart at the last minute. Wesley was not a specific request of mine, but a profile that the club was already tracking, as he is a Brazil international and has real margin for improvement. If he had already been a complete player, he’d have cost a lot more.”

epa12094855 Roma�s coach Claudio Ranieri and Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini smile as they pose ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma, in Bergamo, Italy, 12 May 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

Daniele Ghilardi was snapped up from Hellas Verona for over €10m plus add-ons to reinforce the defence, which is now consolidated with a three-man structure.

“He is one of the profiles that Roma were looking for and one of the reasons why I was called here,” explained Gasperini.

“The club needs to work and grow with young players, creating a squad that can become stronger over time. The lads are eager to have a great season.”

Among the roles that still need to be filled is that of trequartista, a creative midfielder who can sit behind the striker.

“We are almost complete, but are a bit stretched thin in some areas, so we need more players, because not everyone can take part in 50 games.”