Pellegrini: “I am returning to Roma”

On the list of things one can do in a hotel, signing a professional sports contract has to be among the top three, the other two being jumping on the bed free of parental consequences and, of course, reenacting the last days of Sodom and Gomorrah. For Lorenzo Pellegrini he is, as far as we know, going with the first route. Following their horrific loss to Spain the U-21 European Championships this evening, Pellegrini is reportedly signing his new Roma deal in a Polish hotel, perhaps even as you’re reading this.

I will go now and sign for Roma in the hotel...I am returning to Roma in order to play my chances. I want to be a protagonist, of course then the Coach and club will decide.

As we’ve discussed ad nauseum over the past couple weeks, this marks a return for Pellegrini, who came up through the Roma youth ranks before moving to Sassuolo two summers ago. Once Pellegrini dots the ‘i’s in his last name, Roma will be on the hook for €10 million, which, given his performance this past season and during the U-21 Euros, is a small price to pay for one of the league’s up and coming midfielders.

If and when this becomes official, Pellegrini will be the second of a supposed four signings this week, joining Rick Karsdorp, who took his medical examination this afternoon. With Mohamed Salah out the door, soon to be followed by Kostas Manolas and Leandro Paredes, replaced by Karsdorp, Pellegrini and presumably Domenico Berardi and John Foyth, the controversial remake of Roma’s record breaking squad is in full swing.

However, given everything we just discussed, his Roman blood and quite simply the amount of talent dripping from his boots, Pellegrini figures to be the least controversial cog in this, the sixth overhaul of Roma under the American regime.

Pellegrini should slot right into Eusebio Di Francesco’s rotation later this summer, providing EDF with the same blend of scoring, playmaking and ball winning he served up at Sassuolo.