Roma News and Notes: Pastore Seeking Treatment, Munich Seeking Manolas

Pastore Travels to Barcelona

Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. No, Javier Pastore isn’t skipping out of training for a pleasant sojourn to the Spanish coast. Instead it’s pain that has brought Pastore to Barcelona. The Argentine flew to Spain on Tuesday for a consultation on his troublesome calf. The calf has kept him out multiple times this season and El Flaco is now seeking further help in resolving the issue. Pastore flew to Barcelona with Roma’s chief medic, Del Vescovo, and physiotherapist, Esposito. Pastore will remain there until Friday with the hope that a new therapy program will help resolve the issue.

Other Injury Updates

On Tuesday, the members of the senior squad who were not called up to international duty joined Alberto De Rossi’s Primavera squad for a joint practice. Rick Karsdorp continues his way back to match fitness, as he was a full participant in the session. Meanwhile, Diego Perotti took part in some whole group and some individual work, as he also works to find his way back to health. On the other hand, Daniele De Rossi and Luca Pellergini continued their individual therapy sessions. The same protocol was followed for Perotti, De Rossi, and Pellegrini on Wednesday.

Eleven Called for International Duty

Roma had eleven of it’s senior squad members called up to international duty this week. Alessandro Florenzi and Lorenzo Pellegrini were both included in Italy’s team for it’s upcoming matches against Portugal and the United States, while Nicolo Zaniolo was called up to the Italy U21. The other players called up were Kostas Manolas (Greece), Robin Olsen (Sweden), Steven N’Zonzi (France), Edin Dzeko (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Aleksander Kolarov (Serbia), Cengiz Ünder (Turkey), Patrik Schick (Czech Republic), and Justin Kluivert (Holland).

Big Boys in for Manolas?

According to reports out of Corriere dello Sport today, Bayern Munich and Juvenuts both have interest in Roma’s Kostas Manolas. Both clubs see Manolas as an attractive potential upgrade to their back lines, especially thank to his affordable €36 million release clause. To ward off any such interest, Monchi is said to be laying the groundwork on a new contract that would remove the clause and keep the Greek in the Capital.

Roma in for Tonali

The new en vogue name in calcio this week has become that of Brescia’s Sandro Tonali. The 18 year old is regarded as one of Italy’s next great talents, even being called the “new Pirlo” by many of his admirers. This coupled with his call up to Italy’s senior squad by Roberto Mancini means that interest has been ratcheted up for the youngster.

Accroding to reports out of CdS, Monchi made a €12 million offer for Tonali during the summer mercato, which was turned down. The Italian sports daily claims that Roma are again pressing for Tonli, while trying to ward off many bigger name suitors; Juventus, Inter, Man City, and many others are all said to have some level of interest in the kid. Roma sees Tonali as an ideal player to spell De Rossi and eventually become his heir in the Giallorossi midfield.

Meanwhile Brescia owner, Massimo Cellino, told TuttoSport that he wouldn’t just sell Tonali to the highest bidder. He compared the situation to that of Radja Nainggolan when the two were at Cagliari.

Cellino was quoted as saying, “No-one’s called me for Tonali yet, although it’s understandable that everyone likes him. If - and when - the time comes to sell him, not just a super offer will be enough to convince me. Those who want Tonali will have to show the lad and I the most love. When I say love, I mean with regards to their the approach, the right time, not distracting him from Brescia. These aspects are more important than the money, like it happened with Nainggolan at Cagliari. Juve offered more money for Radja, but Roma showed that they wanted me more, making sacrifices.”

Monchi will be hoping that Roma can convince Cellino with their approach again, like they did when they were able to come to an agreement on Radja a few years back.

Numbers of Interest

• Roma have scored 16 goals at home in Serie A this season. The most of any team in the league. (source OptaPaolo)
• Thirteen different players have scored for the Giallorossi this season. That’s the most of any team in Serie A and only Borussia Dortmund have had more players score (14) in the top 5 European leagues. (OptaPaolo)
• ESPN’s FiveThrityEight projects Roma to have a 36% chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. That’s better than AC Milan (31%), but worse than Lazio (38%); the two teams they’ll likely battle for fourth place.