Pellegrini future in doubt for Italy and Roma after latest blunder | OneFootball

Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini’s long-term future for club and country is increasingly in doubt after his unfortunate red card during Italy’s 2-2 draw with Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening.

The Giallorossi captain was dismissed five minutes before half-time while the Azzurri were 2-0 ahead on home soil. He has come under serious criticism for his needless sending off, which was the major contributing factor in Italy having to settle for a draw rather than a win against Belgium.

Luciano Spalletti has since called up Atalanta’s Nicolo Zaniolo ahead of Monday’s game against Israel.

Pellegrini future in doubt for Italy and Roma

La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote on Friday that Pellegrini’s future with Italy and Roma is in doubt after an inconsistent spell over the last 12 months.

The 28-year-old has not scored from open play since February and has created just one major chance in his first matches of the 2024-25 season at club level.

Zaniolo’s call-up to the Italy squad shows that there are alternative options waiting in the wings; There is also Federico Chiesa, who could return to the attacking department in the near future.

With Roma, there are even more doubts about Pellegrini’s future. He is tied by a contract until the summer of 2026, but is currently one of the club’s highest earners with an annual salary in the region of €4m.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Roma have no intention of renewing his deal on the current terms. And, if Roma were to sell him, then the summer of 2025 might make the most sense given the expiry date of his contract.

Roma had reportedly looked at the possibility of selling him to a Saudi Pro League side in the summer just gone, but the player currently has no interest in leaving for the Middle East, according to Friday’s report.