The Friedkin with Mourinho for a winning Rome
The Friedkin family has always been close to Rome, both in good times and in difficult ones. Their presence throughout the Giallorossi environment is concrete, it is palpable. Last testimony is the presence of Ryan Friedkin at the Tre Fontane for the match won by Roma Women against Empoli on Saturday 15 January.
As for the male selection then, the Friedkin are always at the forefront. The Americans want a great Rome and they proved it with the signing of Mourinho, one of the most successful coaches ever. But more importantly, they did not stop at hiring a top manager but are doing everything possible to satisfy the Special One, which, let’s face it, demands a lot on the market. With full knowledge of the facts.
In the summer, Roma spent a lot, 82 million euros taking Abraham (European champion with Chelsea), Rui Patricio (European champion in 2016 with Portugal), Vina who won the Copa Libertadores (the Champions League of South America) and Shomurodov the most disappointing. With the Uzbek removed, Mou wanted all the big players who know how to win. To transform a group into a vicente, you need to have people in the team who know what it means to raise trophies.
The Friedkins trust Mou and in January they listened to their coach and here comes the right outside to the functional squad, Maitland-Niles and then Sergio Oliveira, the latest arrival in Trigoria strongly desired by Mou. The midfielder signed on Wednesday 12 with the Giallorossi and already on Sunday against Cagliari he was decisive with the winning goal. Personality was needed by Rome, and personality has arrived. In addition to the penalty, which showed the footballer’s coldness, Oliveira brought greater safety in the middle of the field. The Lusitanian called a ball, he let himself be seen and served, without fear. An excellent blow for Roma, also given the low costs of the operation.
Following Mou is the right way, the way to Roma’s success. With his experience, with his titles, he knows what is needed, what the team lacks to return to high levels that have not been seen in Trigoria for a long time. But now the Friedkins have to make a last effort. Roma need a striker. Abraham is doing his, but he is not a real goalscorer, Shomurodov is disappointing, Zaniolo from second striker does well but he too is not a scoring machine and Felix is still immature. There is no shortage of opportunities on the market, see Belotti in total break with Turin or looking across the Channel in London there is Lacazette on sale as well as in Manchester Cavani and Lindgaard, all expiring in June.
Mourinho wants personality and experience for his Rome. For a winning project you need ideas, men who know what it means to win. The only way to get out of mediocrity is to side with Mou, to follow him in his directions. The Friedkin have never pulled back, and then well so follow Mou and close the market with a last effort for having no regrets in a season that sees Roma in the Round of 16 of the Conference League (trophy within the reach of the Giallorossi), in the Cup Italy (with Lecce next round on Thursday) and fourth place seven points away.