De Rossi on Roma signings: ‘Happy with Koné, a bit short in defence’ | OneFootball

Daniele De Rossi has admitted that Roma have been left ‘a bit short’ in defence after their transfer window, but the Giallorossi coach insists he is very happy with the team’s overall recruitment this summer.

De Rossi is particularly pleased with the addition of Manu Koné, who arrived on a permanent deal from Borussia Mönchengladbach on transfer deadline day. DDR says that he had been wanting the Frenchman since the 2023-24 season.

He also confirmed that all of Roma’s new signings will travel with the group for Sunday evening’s Serie A clash away against Juventus, but it has not yet been confirmed who will make the matchday squad.

De Rossi on Roma transfer business

“Unless there are any last-minute problems, everyone will come with us, even the most recent arrivals. Obviously for those guys, we will evaluate their previous performances in previous seasons. Everyone will come with us,” De Rossi said during his pre-match press conference.

Assessing the club’s transfer business this summer, De Rossi feels the quality of the first-team has been improved, even if they may have to dip into the free agent market for a new centre-back.

“It’s definitely positive, I’m happy with our business. We stumbled across a situation we didn’t foresee in the defensive area, but we will get to work now. I think we have raised the quality of this team. We have done important business, and some great players have arrived.

“I am happy about Koné and Saelemaekers, very happy in fact. They are players that I really like. Koné is the type of player Roma have been missing, one that we needed to add a bit of muscle to our midfield. He is the one I asked for over and over again, last season too.

“The same goes for Alexis and the guys who came in before them. We are a bit short in defence, but something happened that was difficult to manage or predict, because the other operation was also one that would have made me very happy.”

Roma will face Juventus at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday evening, kicking off at 19.45 BST.