The new recruits are unimpressive; Roma remains the same as before.

Following a summer anticipated as a turning point, Gian Piero Gasperini’s AS Roma still shows no signs of a new look. The capital’s club appears to retain the old-fashioned traits from Claudio Ranieri’s time: hardworking and dedicated but lacking innovation. The primary cause stems from the weak impact of eight new signings who were expected to transform Roma.

Among the new signings, only Wesley, the Brazilian winger, has been regularly utilized, starting 7 of 9 matches in all competitions. Nevertheless, his form has been erratic. After an impressive debut goal against Bologna, Wesley quickly lost effectiveness, frequently becoming unfocused and playing in a cumbersome way. The €25 million fee plus €5 million in bonuses paid for him is turning into a liability.

Evan Ferguson and Neil El Aynaoui, two players anticipated to change Roma’s attack and midfield, have also fallen short of expectations. The Irish forward has played 8 times, but his declining form has led to a gradual loss of his starting position. Gasperini has demanded Ferguson improve his finishing skills and influence inside the penalty area—something he has yet to achieve. Meanwhile, midfielder El Aynaoui, who previously impressed at Lens, has only started 3 matches and has shown no notable impact in Serie A or the Europa League.