AS Roma is among the most storied football clubs in Italy, but like many clubs, it has its share of transfer missteps. There are those who came with high expectations and, through their poor performances, ended up costing the club a lot of money and on-field success too. This feature looks at some of the worst Roma FC transfers and analyzes why they were disappointing.
7 Worst Roma FC Transfers
Gabriel Batistuta
Gabriel Batistuta is fondly remembered as one of the best strikers of all time, but his time at Roma was nothing short of a disaster. The club paid a lot of money to get him, but Batistuta never got going and never repaid the investment. He was injured and in terrible shape, and on this transfer, Roma lost almost €36M: one of the worst financial losses in club history. This transfer, in my opinion, illustrates how even the most talented players can struggle to adapt to a new environment, resulting in significant financial losses for Roma.
Patrik Schick
Roma set a club transfer record with the purchase of Patrik Schick for approximately €42 million. Despite Edin Dzeko’s impressive season raising expectations, injuries hindered Schick and prevented him from finding his place in the team. He managed only eight goals in two seasons, hardly the output expected from such a costly signing. His inability to fit into the system tactically and handle the pressure made him one of the biggest letdowns of Monchi’s reign as sporting director. I believe this move represents a blatant overpay for unrealized potential.
Javier Pastore
In 2018, Roma made a disastrous purchase of Javier Pastore for €24.7 million. Pastore was well past his peak, had a worrying injury record, and didn’t fit coach Eusebio Di Francesco’s tactical system. His approach was also slammed as lazy and uninterested, which didn’t help the team’s morale. Roma terminated his contract early, and this signing was as expensive as it was meaningless. I think the club should have thought of some younger and also more suitable players instead of gambling on Pastore.
Steven Nzonzi
Steven Nzonzi rolled in with some expectation, but he never made an impression at Roma. He made 39 appearances in just one season but failed to adapt to Italian football and to the club’s style. His attitude was questioned, finally leaving on a free transfer to Al-Rayyan in Qatar. This move doesn’t make sense, as Nzonzi has had great talent elsewhere, but for some reason it didn’t work out in Rome. I believe Roma’s inability to integrate him played a significant part in this flop.
Fabio Junior and Gustavo Bartelt
Despite their high expectations, these two South American forwards turned out to be costly failures. Although many dubbed Fabio Junior the heir to Ronaldo, his lack of pace and ball control hindered his performance. Bartelt also did not rise to the occasion and went out on loan while being let go eventually. The pair were both mixed up in a passport scandal, further tarnishing their reputation. Collectively, they cost Roma close to £16 million, but both managed just four goals. But it goes to show how dangerous it can be to depend on untested foreign ability without scouting.
Jonathan Silva
Jonathan Silva was signed as a left-back cover, but he suffered from injuries and struggled for game time at Sporting Lisbon. His signing was puzzling, and he never made much of an impact at Roma. Such a signing was just bad decision-making and a sheer lack of scouting of a player.
Ante Coric
Once hailed as the next Luka Modric, Ante Coric’s career flopped at Roma. During his first season, he averaged only 22 minutes of playtime and rarely participated in games afterward. The club found it difficult to sell him, resulting in his exclusion from the squad. The player and Roma for sure were left humiliated by the fact that at just 26 he looked lost and adrift.
Other Notable Disappointments
- Hector Moreno: Signed after a long pursuit but made only six appearances before moving on.
- Gregoire Defrel struggled with the transition to Roma, frequently playing out of position and failing to score any goals from open play.
Why Did These Transfers Fail?
There are several reasons why these transfers have failed:
- Poor scouting and evaluation: Some players were signed without fully understanding their fitness, form, or tactical fit.
- Injuries hampered many signings, limiting their performance.
- Tactical mismatch: Players like Pastore and Schick did not fit into the coach’s system.
- High pressure and expectations: Big transfer fees created pressure that some players could not handle.
- Off-field issues: Passport scandals and questionable attitudes affected some players.
Final Thoughts on the Worst Roma FC Transfers
I think these worst Roma FC transfers show a little bit of bad luck, bad preparation, and occasionally desperation to find quick fixes. Some signings had promise, but the club consistently did not fit players well, scout them correctly, or fail to determine whether they were the right players for the club. I wonder if Roma should do more thorough scouting, sign players who fit the team’s style, and set realistic expectations. Transfers are always a gamble, but these lessons of the past are important to build upon for the future.
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Sources:
- www.transfermarkt.us/as-rom/rekordabgaenge/verein/12
- www.giallorossiyorkshire.com/features/biggest-roma-transfer-losses/
