Serie A's Top 5 sides' performances analysed

#5 AS Roma

The Romans have regenerated and it remains to be seen if the team can mount a sustained title challenge

When Luciano Spalletti left and switched to Internazionale and given the gale of player sales that took place in the summer transfer window, AS Roma’s title chances were dismissed outright by certain pundits.

These pundits failed, however, to take into account, the genius of acclaimed sporting director Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo or “Monchi” as he is popularly called.

Following the big money sales of Mo Salah (to Liverpool for €42m), Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea for €35m) and Leonardo Paredes (€23m to Zenit St Petersburg), Monchi oversaw a recruitment drive that earned for the club €118.25m in transfer and loan fees and expended €92.95m on a slew of players.

Eusebio di Francesco was brought in from Sassuolo to manage the team and while they had a slow start to the Serie A season, he has been able to get the players to buy into his methods.

Star striker Edin Dzeko has continued from where he left off last season banging in the goals and leading the line with aplomb.

Stephen El Sharawwy has responded brilliantly to di Francesco’s coaxing and is delivering performances that have not been seen from him in a while.

The retaining of the services of Greek centre-back Kostas Manolas has helped solidify the backline and alongside summer signings Hector Moreno and Federico Fazio, the team has solid foundations that can help them mount a sustained challenge for the Serie A title.

Summer signings Rick Karsdrop and Patrick Schick have only featured once each due to long-term injuries and given the squad depth, I Giallorossi should be able to compete favourably for the Serie A title.