The words of journalists, commentators and former footballers on Roma
Editorial team
December 31, 2026 (modified December 31, 2026 | 3:49 pm)
Roman radio is a phenomenon that has no equal in the rest of Italy. A plurality of stations that act as a platform, a host of journalists, former footballers and commentators to animate the show. Here are the opinions of the protagonists of the radio stations:
Franco Melli (Radio Radio Pomeriggio – 104.5): “If Roma stays as they are, they won’t finish fourth. If they were to take Zirkzee and Raspadori, the situation is the opposite. Zirkzee impressed me at San Siro against Inter. The man with his eyes closed, who creates unpredictability, skips. Roma needs it. With these two, they will score more points than Inter and Napoli, certainly not less. If they don’t arrive, there is the risk that Juve will overtake Roma.”
Paolo Marcacci (Radio Radio Pomeriggio – 104.5): “Massara has had many difficulties with the timing and his work cannot be judged well. Two days ago there was Simeone’s approval for Raspadori at Roma. For me it would be an excellent operation. With him, Roma would have a backup center forward. Zirkzee can be an excellent ingredient for the chef Gasperini.”
Fabrizio Aspri (Radio Radio Pomeriggio – 104.5): “Roma are already in fourth place like this. They are demonstrating that they can play a leading role. I wouldn’t take Zirkzee, but Raspadori. The former Napoli player can be Gasperini’s Lookman. The Dutchman, on the other hand, is a quality player – but he’s of no use to Roma. In recent hours, Franculino’s name has come up again”
Alessandro Vocalelli (Radio Radio Pomeriggio – 104.5): “It’s worth spending the money on Zirkzee and Raspadori. With them you can dream of the Scudetto, but without them you risk not going to the Champions League. I think that signing these two, who are young, can benefit the club. They are players we know and who know the Italian championship. They are certainly an absolute guarantee.”
Ugo Trani (Tele Radio Stereo – 92.7): “I don’t believe in the Pisilli-Frendrup exchange. Genoa want to sell Frendrup, and would then take Pisilli on loan. It means that you would have many midfielders in June, considering El Aynaoui third in midfield, and then selling Koné: that doesn’t sit well with me. Zirkzee? There is the hypothesis that Roma would make a two-year loan and this would allow United to take more money. The operation is around 40 million, we need to understand whether it will be done immediately or whether we will wait until January 2027 to have two market segments. The clubs have to reach an agreement, but I don’t see any difficulties. Besides Roma there is no one on Zirkzee. Raspadori would cost half as much and yesterday in Trigoria Gasperini was told that it’s done for him. I would take Kean, born in 2000, with the 62 million clause: if Roma had the certainty of going to the Champions League I think they would aim for it immediately“.
Francesco Balzani (Tele Radio Stereo – 92.7): “In addition to the goal, Zirkzee was criticized by the fans, the situation with Amorim is a bit like Ferguson with Gasperini. Beyond the goal, Amorim didn’t like the attitude or the commitment. It must be understood if United take the replacement immediately, if they take Mateta he can arrive almost immediately otherwise we will have to wait for the Africa Cup of Nations. Kean? At 50 I would take it. He had a good year last year, but he also did well before when he was even younger and he showed good things in the national team“.
Piero Torri (Manà Manà Sport – 90.9): “The best of 2025 was Svilar, the worst was Tsimikas. I expected something more from the Greek. Disappointment of the year? I feel like saying Ferguson, but it’s not meant to be a rejection. The boy is stronger than he showed us. I didn’t expect much from Dovbyk, he’s a striker I would never have bought. Ziolkowski is the revelation of 2025, a player who intrigues me for the future”.
Mario Mattioli (Radio Radio Mattino – 104.5): “Zirkzee is an extraordinary player but he doesn’t have the characteristics of a striker, he should have a real center forward up front and Roma don’t have him. He can be a driver for fourth place, but partially. Raspadori would be an excellent twelfth, in this Rome we need to find a place for him“.
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