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Seydou Doumbia, F Basel (Raiffeisen Super League)
While Doumbia certainly won’t be returning to Rome next season, his play this season transformed him into a valuable poker chip that new sporting director Monchi can cash in this summer. The Ivory Coast international was the capocannoniere in Switzerland (for what it’s worth), scoring 20 goals in 15 starts and 10 substitute appearances in the league, including eight goals and one assist in his last eight matches. He recently received a call-up to the national team as well, which should bolster his value. Valencia is rumored to be interested in retaining Doumbia’s services, although the Spanish club reportedly isn’t keen on Roma’s six million euro price tag.
Grade: A
Juan Manuel Iturbe, W Torino (Serie A)
Everyone’s favorite punching bag may stick around for another year, as it’ll be tough for Monchi to sell Iturbe after he failed to find his feet in Turin during the second half of the season. Iturbe had one goal and three assists in four starts and 12 substitute appearances in the league this season, which was obviously not enough to convince Torino to pick up the option to purchase him permanently for 15 million euros. Rest assured, there won’t be another #SaveIturbe campaign this summer. For both Roma and Iturbe, it might be best to part company as soon as possible so that Iturbe can get regular playing time and Roma can recoup at least a portion of Iturbe’s hefty transfer fee.
Grade: C-
William Vainqueur, M Marseille (Ligue 1)
Vainqueur played well in his return to France this season. He was a regular in Marseille’s first team, starting and going the full 90 minutes in 24 out of his 29 league appearances. He was spectacular defensively, averaging 3.8 tackles per match, 2.3 interceptions per match, and 1.2 clearances per match. Vainqueur also contributed 2.2 dribbles per match and 4.2 long balls per match en route to completing 91.8% of his passes and collecting one assist. There’s supposedly a number of clubs interested in Vainqueur’s services, but there’s no concrete news yet, just fake news. Things could change as the summer progresses though.
Grade: B+
Lukasz Skorupski, G Empoli (Serie A)
‘Super Skorupski’ had yet another memorable season on loan, however he didn’t perform as well in the second half of the campaign (to be completely fair, neither did Empoli). The Polish international finished the year with 10 clean sheets kept in 35 league appearances, which was tied for seventh most among Serie A goalkeepers. Skorupski led the league with 145 saves made en route to averaging four saves per match, although he did concede 56 goals. With news that Wojciech Szczesny could be heading to Juventus, Skorupski may have the chance to return to Rome this summer and compete with Alisson for the starting job.
Grade: B
Ezequiel Ponce, F Granada (Liga BBVA)
Ponce had a season to forget, only scoring twice and collecting one assist in 10 starts and 15 substitute appearances in the league for Granada. The Argentinian U20 international never established himself as a goal scoring threat for the Spanish side, and as a result lost playing time over the course of the year. Those who were expecting a successful loan spell a la Tony Sanabria’s loan to Sporting Gijon two years ago will surely be disappointed. Still only 20, Ponce seems destined for another loan next season, though it’ll be interesting to see where Roma puts him; his skill set seemed tailor-made for Spain, and it didn’t work out too well.
Grade: F
Federico Ricci, W Sassuolo (Serie A)
Ricci struggled for playing time this season, but that was easy to predict before the year even started with the likes of Domenico Berardi, Gregoire Defrel, and Matteo Politano clearly ahead of him in the pecking order. Regardless, the Italian U21 international scored twice in 10 starts and 14 substitute appearances in the league. According to Gazzetta Giallorossa, several clubs including Genoa, Sampdoria, Atalanta, Sevilla, and Anderlecht are interested in Ricci, with Roma valuing him at six to seven million euros.
Grade: B
Sadiq Umar, F Bologna (Serie A)
Umar struggled with fitness this season following an ankle injury early on, and as a result didn’t see a lot of playing time. He had one assist in one start and six substitute appearances in the league. Umar, who’s 20, could do with another loan next season.
Grade: D
Daniele Verde, W Avellino (Serie B)
Verde had a decent season in Italy’s second division, tallying eight goals and five assists in 32 league appearances for Avellino. While the Italian U21 international may not have done enough to earn a call up to Roma’s first team this summer, he’s earned plenty of interest from lower level top flight clubs such as Spanish side Las Palmas.
Grade: B
Elio Capradossi, D Bari (Serie B)
Capradossi played well for Bari this season, helping the defense to keep 10 clean sheets in 23 league appearances. Still only 21, the Italian U21 international is showing signs that he’s on the way to becoming a capable rotation defender for Roma’s first team one day. A loan to a lower level top flight club next season would be a perfect test for Capradossi.
Grade: B
Tiago Casasola, D Trapani (Serie B)
Casasola had a great season for Trapani, helping the defense to keep seven clean sheets in 32 league appearances. He also contributed two goals and three assists, which isn’t terrible for a defender. Like Capradossi, a loan to a lower level top flight club next season would be ideal for Casasola.
Grade: B
Moustapha Seck, D Carpi (Serie B)
Seck, who was loaned out to Carpi for the second half of the season, only managed three league appearances. He should probably be loaned out to a Serie B club again next season.
Grade: C
Christian D’Urso, M Carpi (Serie B)
D’Urso started the season on loan at Latina before he moved to Carpi in the winter transfer window. The Italian U20 international only made one appearance the entire second half of the season. He made 15 league appearances for Latina during the first half of the season. D’Urso should be loaned to a Serie B club that will give him regular playing time next season.
Grade: C