Ranieri drops Dybala hint for his successor and warns Dovbyk | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri insists Paulo Dybala will be a ‘key player’ for Roma also in 2025-26 and warns Artem Dovbyk: ‘He has to believe in us.’

The Giallorossi host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday after Thursday’s Europa League elimination at the hands of Athletic Club.

Ranieri started his pre-match press conference by saying that Mats Hummels’ red card in Bilbao was “harsh,” but then he went on to discuss the upcoming league match and the players’ form.

Ranieri answered a couple of questions about Dovbyk, who was subbed off in the second half against Athletic Club.

“I substituted him when I thought it was the right time. They were attacking too much,” he said.

“With Soulé, I wanted more structure and dynamism. I expect a lot from him [Dovbyk], but he needs to react. He has to make a decision, he needs to show what kind of player he is. I believe in him, but he has to believe in us too. It’s a give-and-take.”

Ranieri drops Dybala hint for his successor and warns Dovbyk

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 02: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma is put under pressure by Maximo Perrone of Como during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Como at Stadio Olimpico on March 02, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Ranieri was asked to clarify what “believe in us” means.

“We have an aggressive and determined playing style,” the coach explained.

“I told him: ‘You focus on scoring goals, and I’ll focus on the performance. If you put in a good performance and don’t score, I can accept that. But if you don’t perform and don’t score, then I start thinking.’ That’s all. I ask for performance.

“I know they can’t always be at 100%, but if you don’t give me either performance or goals, you leave me with a bitter taste. He has to fight like everyone else. He hasn’t given up, or at least, I don’t want to believe that. If he gives up, I have 25 others who want to play.”

Ranieri is under contract until the end of the season and will be involved in deciding his successor for 2025-26.

“Do you really think I would tell you if there was something? It seems premature to me,” he argued.

“Wait until the end of the season, and you’ll find out. The president will decide. I haven’t changed my mind. The focus must be on these ten matches for the fans and the club. Five games at home, five away. Let’s say six and five, because against Lazio, we don’t have to travel. We have to play these ten games as if they were life or death and collect the points we deserve.”

Nevertheless, Ranieri had a suggestion for his possible successor, regarding Dybala.

“Dybala is currently not at 100%. For me, he is a key player for next season,” the coach said.

“With him, Roma is a different team, and I’ve said it many times. When Dybala plays and is in good shape, he’s worth the price of admission. He does things others don’t.”

Ranieri added that Dybala would join the Argentina national team despite not being fully fit.