Italian Serie A side AS Roma have seen a major overhaul this summer, investing in young talent both at managerial and squad level.
After a turbulent season which saw the removal of Claudio Ranieri, the Sensi family agreed to officially end their 18-year ownership of the club by selling up to American businessman Thomas DiBenedetto in a joint venture with UniCredit.
The new man at the helm of the Roma board made his intentions clear that he wanted to revitalise an ageing set-up, bringing in former Barcelona B coach and Spain international Luis Enrique as head coach. The 41-year-old replaced ex-Roma striker Vincenzo Montella, who guided the side to 6th in his caretaker capacity.
The new Spanish boss has already stamped his authority on the side by bringing in two young compatriots along with experience at the back, a new number 1 and a relatively unknown but fantastically regarded teenage Argentinean for a fee in the region of €12m.
Many of last year's starting XI have now moved on including some high profile departures, but with more set to come in, AS Roma are hoping their new recruits can push them onto bigger and better things.
Number 1 in and One Out
The most recently concluded deal at the Stadio Olimpico this summer saw Dutch international keeper Maarten Stekelenburg join the club in a deal worth around €6.3m. The former Ajax stopper is one of Europe's highest rated number 1's and the 28-year-old replaces 31-year-old Doni, who left for Liverpool on a free transfer last month. The new man will have to stave off competition from both Bogdan Lobont and Gianluca Curci who returns to the club following spells with Siena and Sampdoria.
In 26 starts in the Eredivisie last term, Stekelenburg conceded just 22 goals, picking up clean sheets in half of the matches he played (13). His low goals against tally saw him concede just 0.85 goals per game on average.
The outgoing Doni played just under half of Roma's games last season with 15, conceding 17 at a rate of 1.13 a game. He managed to keep 6 clean sheets at a rate of 1 every 2.5 matches. Lobont's figure of 3 clean sheets from just 6 games last season was at an equal rate to Stekelenburg. The Romanian conceded just 4 goals at a rate of 0.67 per match, which is better than the new signing but less comprehensive due to his limited game time. With relegated Sampdoria, 26-year-old Curci did well to concede just 41 goals in his 35 starts, as well as keeping 12 clean sheets, a remarkably good defensive record for a relegated side, though they conceded 8 goals in the 3 games Curci missed.
Mexes Void Filled by Heinze?
After his contract ran out in June of this year, France international and long-time Roma servant Phillippe Mexes signed for AC Milan on a free transfer. Whether the incoming free transfer of Gabriel Heinze was meant as cover for defensive positions or as a replacement remains to be seen, with the left-back slot already filled by fellow new signing Jose Angel.
The experienced Argentine may therefore have been brought in to provide competition for fellow South Americans Juan and compatriot Nicola Burdisso. The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid defender brings European and international level experience in abundance, a feat that none of the other outfield newcomers at the club can claim.
Angel to Rise to Riise Challenge
21-year-old Spaniard Jose Angel was brought into the club following a fantastic second senior season with La Liga's Sporting Gijon, proving his worth in defence and attack, and in turn, John Arne Riise surplus to requirements. The Norway international made a return to the Premier League with Fulham following Angel's arrival, with Enrique set to entrust the youngster with Roma's starting left-back berth next season.
Angel's stats show just how important he was to Gijon last term having made more tackles per game than any other player in the side during his 23 starts with 3.6. He added to this with an equally impressive 3.4 interceptions per game as well as 3.3 clearances a match, only the latter of which Riise could trump last term with 3.5.
Going forward the young full-back didn't disappoint either, making 1.3 crosses per game, more than triple Riise's 0.4, as well as 1.1 key passes a match compared to the Norwegian's 0.7. Despite these advanced figures Angel picked up just 1 assist last season compared to Riise's 5, though Roma's more adept finishers should help boost his tally significantly in this regard.
Bojan Gamble to Replace Vucinic
Rather than replacing Vucinic in any real sense, Bojan's arrival at the club from Barcelona allowed the Montenegrin's move away to go through, with the forward eventually joining Serie A rival Juventus.
The 20-year-old Spanish prospect will know all about manager Luis Enrique from their time at Barca, where Bojan was tipped as the next big thing to come out of the club after Messi due to a fantastic record at youth level. The signing of David Villa somewhat stunted his progression in Pep Guardiola's plans and the front man has now been allowed to leave the club, with Roma paying around €12m for his signature. However, the fine details of the deal could reportedly see Barcelona buy back their former striker for €13m in two years, assuming Roma don't stump up as much as €28m to stop them, indicative of the regard he is still held in at the Nou Camp.
Despite this, Bojan made just 9 starts in La Liga last term, coming off the bench on 18 occasions. He still managed to score 6 goals in his limited game time and his finishing is undoubtedly a key strength to his play. Having attempted 1 shot per game on average he found the net with every 4.5 shots taken, as well as assisting a further 2 strikes.
Vucinic set up the same amount despite making 1.4 key passes per game to Bojan's lowly 0.4. The Montenegro international's 10 league goals came from 22 starts and 2.5 shots per game, meaning his strike rate of a goal every 7 shots is some way down on Bojan's figure.
Lamela an Unknown Quantity
Erik Lamela, at 19, is regarded as one of South America's hottest prospects having displayed exceptional skill during his time in the youth and senior sides at River Plate. Such is the esteem the youngster is held in, Roma are believed to have splashed out around €12m to get their man, or even teen. A superbly tricky attacking midfielder, Lamela will be hoping to live up to his soaring price-tag in immediate fashion, having already been handed his first senior international cap with Argentina.
The starlet's chances of starting were greatly increased after Frenchman Jeremy Menez joined another of Europe's big spenders, PSG. The 24-year-old played in behind the striker on much of his 23 starts last term, leaving a hole in the side that Lamela will be keen to fill.
In terms of goal threat Menez offered little last term- despite attempting 1.3 shots per game, he netted just twice at a rate of 1 goal every 20.8 shots. His contribution in terms of key passes was more of an asset, although a figure of 1.4 per game was rewarded with just 2 assists. Lamela's renowned dribbling ability in his native Argentina will need to live up to the standards of Menez, who was successful with 2.1 dribbles per game last term, more than any other Roma player, followed by Vucinic.
Possible Formations
It seems most likely that Luis Enrique will stick to the 4-3-1-2 formation adopted for much of last season, though the personnel involved will be significantly different. With a solid centre midfield trio of Pizarro, Perrotta and De Rossi, freedom may well be afforded to the likes of Lamela, if starting, and Totti to continue to pull the strings from the front. Bojan will need to contest with Marco Borriello up front, or could play alongside the Italian with Totti in behind if Lamela is deemed unready as yet.
At the back Angel is likely to come in for Riise, while Heinze may be in direct competition for a starting berth with fellow countryman Burdisso. A wealth of goalkeeping talent shouldn't prevent new signing Stekelenburg starting between the sticks ahead of Lobont and Curci next term, with the side potentially lining up as follows;
