MY ACCOUNT
Roma’s potential acquisition of Paulo Dybala can shift the balance in Serie A and make Jose Mourinho’s men Scudetto contenders, according to former Giallorossi boss Fabio Capello.
Having left Juventus as a free agent when his contract expired at the end of June, Dybala was strongly linked to Inter and Napoli, but now appears set to join Mourinho’s Europa Conference League winners.
With reports on Monday suggesting Dybala was close to joining Roma, the Argentina international arrived in Portugal, where the side are holding a pre-season training camp, for his medical.
Dybala scored 82 goals in 210 Serie A appearances for the Bianconeri after arriving from Palermo in 2015, including 25 from outside the penalty area, more than any other player has managed during that time in the competition.
Among current Roma players, captain Lorenzo Pellegrini’s nine is the highest such tally, and Dybala’s imminent move has led to suggestions the Giallorossi could better last season’s sixth-placed league finish.
Asked by Il Messaggero whether the Argentine’s arrival could shift the balance at the top of Serie A, Capello responded: “I would say yes. He is a great player, one of those who make the difference.
“[He can] raise the level of the team and change something in Serie A, because Roma are now in the group of favourites.
“If Mourinho calls you himself, it becomes really difficult to say no.”
Capello led Roma to the most recent of their three Serie A titles in 2000-01, edging out Juventus by just two points in a tense title race.
The legendary tactician believes there are likenesses between Mourinho’s side and his Scudetto winners, adding: “The comparison is plausible. I see many similarities.
“I think that Mourinho, as happened to me in that season, will try to guarantee balance in a team with enormous offensive potential.
“Roma, after all, was doomed to attack; we had Cafu and [Vincent] Candela outside. I needed some cover.”
