Roma Mixing Youth and Experience Bodes Well for Serie A Title Hopes
On Monday, Roma secured a deal to bring in experienced English left-back Ashley Cole from Chelsea and are also flirting with the potential signing of American rising star DeAndre Yedlin, per Graham Parker of the Guardian.
Essentially, these last two maneuvers represent a microcosm of the way the Giallorossi have been operating since the takeover of James Pallotta two years ago.
The Italian-American businessman is savvy enough to understand how to push Roma in the right direction without breaking the bank with lavish purchases.
Instead, the Roma higher-ups have managed a rather frugal transfer market that involves plenty of good scouting and letting go of some of their premier stars once a lucrative deal is presented.
Letting go of Erik Lamela and Marquinhos last summer was the perfect way for them to build a team with many different parts.
Those sales allowed Roma to bring in the likes of Mehdi Benatia, Kevin Strootman, Adem Ljajic, Maicon, Radja Nainggolan, Gervinho and others.
This new-look Roma side played some of the most aesthetically pleasing football in Italy, mixing the rambunctiousness of the youngsters with the veteran presence of players such as Maicon, who knew how to handle some of the biggest rivalries in the capital city.
Ashley Cole was brought in to add plenty of experience to a back line which conceded the least amount of goals in Serie A last season.
Plus, Cole might have a chip on his shoulder after not being selected by Roy Hodgson to an English national team that failed to get out of their group at the World Cup.
The partnership in the middle between Benatia and Leandro Castan has become sensational, while the full-back positions could be operated by the vastly experienced duo of Cole and Maicon now that Roma will play in the Champions League.
| Player Signed | Team | Fee |
| Ashley Cole | Chelsea | Free Transfer |
| Salih Ucan | Fenerbahce | €4.5m |
| Seydou Keita | Valencia | Free Transfer |
It's this type of experience mixed with quick, technical passing in the midfield and speed up front which makes Roma one of the most interesting teams going into next season.
Yedlin is another player who could really thrive if brought in. Apart from being an interesting prospect, the lightning-quick full-back would be an ideal marketing tool in North America as Roma looks to continuously spread their brand by playing in a host of important summer friendlies.
Roma have essentially started a masterclass on how to build a competitive team that could surprise in Europe without getting in trouble with the new UEFA Financial Fair Play rules.
This Giallorossi side now has all the tools and the perfect blend of experience and youth to challenge for next season's Scudetto as well as go far in the Champions League.
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