Have never been a fan of Bojan so would be fairly non plussed about him signing. Enrique did suggest he would look to bring players from Barca to the club though.
Franco Baldini will be coming to Roma too according to Walter Sabatini. Interesting comments on potential signings, the need to lower the average age of the squad and the futures of De Rossi, Mirko, Menez and Borriello. Wonderful words about The Prince of Rome too of course, which I have bolded below.
From Football Italia:
What to expect from the new Roma
New Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has revealed the club’s plans for the future under Thomas Di Benedetto and discussed the transfer market.
Sabatini held a Press conference earlier today in which he explained what direction the club would be taking once American businessman Di Benedetto officially takes control of the outfit.
“I don’t like to talk about projects as they don’t exist in football. All that exists is working on a daily basis,” the official noted.
“We know what we want to do and we’ll do it. Di Benedetto wants to win the championship and he says we will, but that won’t happen straight away.”
Sabatini has been asked to construct a new side, but he confirmed that he will soon be joined by Franco Baldini – a former Roma employee who currently assists Fabio Capello with England.
“I asked the club for a one year contract and that is what they gave me. I shouldn’t be a weight for this club. They need to be in a position to decide and choose agreements if we work well.
“Baldini will be here in the next few months once he has resolved his contract with England. As soon as he is free then he will return to Rome.”
One of the first decisions which has already been made by the evolving Giallorossi is the appointment of Luis Enrique as Coach.
“We got Luis Enrique because we want to play a different type of football. It’s something new and a courageous choice, but a choice that I would make again,” Sabatini added.
“We monitored dozens of Coaches, including the likes of Klopp, Garcia, Pioli and Giampaolo – all of whom are excellent, but Luis Enrique accepted and he was our first choice.
“He is not inferior to Porto’s Villas Boas.”
With the managerial issue now resolved, Sabatini will turn his attention to buying and selling to make the team stronger.
“Luis is very happy with the squad as it is now, although it is obvious that he has asked for changes,” he continued.
“The problem for Roma is not the value of the players, but the age of them. We’ll look to lower the average age of the side.
“I’ve not been given a budget, I’ve been given a freedom to work on the market. We’ll talk in the next few days to understand what we can do.”
Roma have been linked with River Plate’s Argentine youngster Erik Lamela.
“I admit that he is an excellent player and that I would like to bring him here. If he doesn’t arrive though then I will sign somebody like him.”
Turning to players who could be sold, Sabatini discussed the futures of Mirko Vucinic, Jeremy Menez and Marco Borriello.
“Vucinic is a great player. I need to speak with him, also about his positioning on the pitch. We’ll have a Coach with a specific system that the players will have to adapt to.
“Menez will have to accept that the Coach will use him in a certain way. If he does that then he will stay.
“Borriello is a problem. He’s a very good player. Last season was split into two for him – very good at the start and then less so. I’ll need to discuss things with him.”
The former Palermo official also commented on Roma icons Daniele De Rossi, who is after a contract extension, and Francesco Totti.
“De Rossi has to stay. Roma are certainly stronger with him,” Sabatini said.
“Totti will be at the centre of the project. Roma will be modelled around him. Totti is timeless, he’s like the light over the rooftops of Rome. The light still goes on, spreads.
“He had been painted as tired and lame, but he goes on the pitch and weakens the opposition. He is the captain and will make an important contribution to building the future of this club.”
That’s brilliant, really looking forward to the new season now.
A wee bit extra from Sabatini.
Roma director Walter Sabatini has revealed that he will work hard behind the scenes to land Palermo playmaker Javier Pastore but only if the Sicilian outfit lower their asking price.
Pastore announced his desire to leave Palermo on Friday and president Maurizio Zamparini confirmed he is ready to sell the playmaker.
And Roma have declared their position as potential buyers for the 21-year-old who is valued at up to €50 million by his current club.
“Pastore? I won’t give up on him. I’m waiting for Palermo to lower his price. However, it’s a hard operation and I don’t think Zamparini will want to sell him to me,” he told the press.
Sabatini resigned as Palermo’s sporting director back in November 2010 and does not enjoy a cozy relationship with Zamparini.
Sabatini went on to declare the club’s desire to secure the signature of River Plate midfielder Erik Lamela despite reported interest from Napoli and AC Milan.
“There is a will to sign him [Lamela]. We will fight to land him. If we do not get him then we will find someone else of equal value,” Sabatini said.
Classy quotes about Totti there.
From reading into the comments on Vucinic and Menez it seems likely that they’ll have to learn to play different roles to stay in the team or at the club. I guess that’s consistent with the overall message of changing the style and I sometimes get the feeling with Vucinic and Menez that they sometimes take comfort in being slightly peripheral with lower expectations.
Q for the Roma fans: Is there room for one more on the Curva Sud? I think I may have been bitten by the bug.
Of course mate. Dine out with the wolves this season - you’ll love it.
there isnt room for one more so we will have to kick watchyourtoes off the curva sud
welcome aboard mate
The agent of Rolando (Porto centre back) has said he would be interested in joining Roma. He’s valued at €15m.
He looks a good player. That league really does produce some smashing players. Even looking at centre backs we’ve seen Fernando Meira (very underrated IMO), Carvalho (pure class at his peak), Luisao, Pepe, David Luiz and a few others I’m not thinking of probably. They’re not just good centre backs, they’re all really top drawer.
Yeah. Dead right about Meira too, a classy defender who has spent the last coupe of seasons wasted in lesser leagues like Russia and Turkey, which is a shame. Bruno Alves would be one more I can think of off the top of my head. The Brazilian no.3 who played for Braga this season also looks like another class act.
The latest links today are Martin Stekelenberg and Jonathan Soriano of Barcelona B.
We continue to be linked with Pastore.
Reports today from Italy that Vucinic has held discussions with Juventus.
Doni is rumoured to have turned down the chance to be Liverpool back-up keeper.
Bojan on loan seems to be the word of the street. Would be happy with this - a young mobile and flexible attacker who should give us some pace and movement up front.
From a financial aspect, there will be little money tied to it out of this seasons budget, thus, allowing us to invest that money in other areas of the squad.
This is very unfair TASE,I at least deserve a vote on this to stay in this magnificent group!,Forza Roma.
I wouldn’t be unhappy with Bojan. He hasn’t always convinced at Barca but it’s difficult to get into that team and he hasn’t really had a run of games. He does look dangerous when he plays and has a decent scoring record when you consider the number of appearances he makes off the bench.
Totti: when’s your birthday? I think we should buy this cracking poster for you:
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Sucker-for-Soccer/1289701
http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles19/370255/projects/1289701/e79f6594feb47deee3e40576b92caac8.jpg
That’s a cracker mate.
Sabatini has confirmed a deal for Bojan is all but done. He will become our first signing of the new season.
We are also in for Ricky Alvarez too.
Latest round of transfer gossip has us trying to sign Bologna keeper Emiliano Viviano and Gael Clichy from Arsenal.
Hope Bojan confounds my doubts about him. We need an injection of pace into the side and he’ll provide that.
Still talk of us looking to offload either of the two Brazilian keepers to Liverpool also.
Jeremy Menez has told France Football he’d be interested in a move to PSG.