Until a few years ago it seemed an impossible transfer, something unthinkable. Paulo Dybala is a new Roma player. Who would have thought it, even just two years ago?
Juventus' number 10, one of the best players in Europe and certainly in the Italian league, even captain of the Bianconeri: now La Joya is the new Giallorossi number 21. And he will be coached by Jose Mourinho. A dream for the entire Roma fan base, yet another demonstration of the team's growth.
The Special One is building an increasingly strong team (another hot name on the market is Georginio Wijnaldum, another top player): since his arrival, things at Roma have changed and continue to change. After Tammy Abraham, a decisive purchase for the Europa Conference League victory, now Nemanja Matic and Dybala have also arrived in Trigoria, top reinforcements to aim as high as possible, at least for a place in the next Champions League.
In 10 years in Serie A, Paulo has collected a total of 136 goals and 59 assists, truly an incredible number, considering the young age at which he arrived in Italy and above all the constant change of position on the field, especially with Max Allegri, who transformed him from a central striker into something like a trequartista. Ultimately, the Argentine is a little bit of a number 10 and a little bit of a number 9, although in Mourinho's Roma he should play (barring changes in the module for now anyway not planned) as Abraham's wingman, then in a two-man attack that could enhance his finishing skills and game vision. The Argentinian is considered by many football fans and managers one of the last "classic" 10's, for his technical qualities and his class.
It is a transfer that has unleashed the passion of Roma fans, still elated and jubilant over the celebration of the magical night in Tirana, who see the Argentinian's arrival as a further confirmation and a further sign of the greatness of the Friedkin family's project, which in a short time is making Roma a real top team. Dybala has long been followed by Inter Milan, which, however, needed to get rid of one between Edin Dzeko or Alexis Sanchez before it could sink its teeth in, but even Beppe Marotta's latest calls were ignored by La Joya, who by then had given his word to Roma. Mourinho called him twice and convinced him to join the Giallorossi project. The new number 21 revealed during his first press conference: "The first thing I asked Mourinho was: what do we want to win?". Winners keep winning, Dybala and the Portuguese coach know that, especially since they know (and the Special One saw it personally) that winning in Rome is different than elsewhere.
That's exactly the first thing on the minds of all Giallorossi supporters, who are already anticipating an explosive, top-team attack composed of Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala, Tammy Abraham and Nicolò Zaniolo. Truly a mouth-watering quartet, something not seen at Roma since the days of the last Scudetto, with Gabriel Batistuta, Vincenzo Montella, Marco Delvecchio and Francesco Totti. It is precisely to that of the Argentine striker, former Fiorentina player and decisive man for the Scudetto, that the arrival of La Joya has been compared. Several former Giallorossi players have said: "He is the second most important purchase after Batistuta in recent years." A demanding and resounding investment, however, which the former Juventus number 10 can comfortably bear on his own shoulders, since over the years he has worn the jersey that was Carlos Tevez's and especially Alex Del Piero's, guiding Juventus to many trophies. Roma had offered him the number 10 kit, worn in recent years in the Eternal City by only Francesco Totti, but he said he still has to deserve that jersey on the field because he respects those who have worn it before. Something that Roma fans loved.
As said, something in Roma is changing, it seems the beginning of a new era. The club's prospects are taking a new shape right before the eyes of the fans, who are incredulous and surprised by the incredible generosity of the rich, powerful and courageous ownership; a trophy that the entire fanbase has been waiting for so many years has already arrived; a star player like Dybala, a player who has been making a difference in the Italian league for years, has been taken on the market. Paulo seems to be the perfect image of the new Giallorossi revolution, which is happening under the guidance of Mourinho, the real engine of Roma's growth. In his first words as Roma coach he said, "I want to accelerate this process. It is not in my nature to just work. Of course you know you are working for the future, but it is not in my nature to wait too long before reaping the benefits."
And that is exactly what happened: Mourinho is the guarantee of quality, he is the Giallorossi's man of hope, and he is also the man who represents their ambition. Dybala turned down major offers to make himself available to the Special One, and after facing Roma many times, he is now ready to wear their colors on the pitch and be embraced by the Giallorossi fans, who have already bought an incredible number of jerseys with his name and number, making him the new hero. Paulo knows that he will have to give everything to repay the Roma fans' trust, but the quality that will surround him in his first season with the Giallorossi shirt will help him to express himself at his best. Captain Pellegrini and La Joya will be the faces of the Giallorossi dream.
The initial objective, even if the other operations (all very important names) were to materialise, will still be among the top four, so as to be able to continue the growth path started by the arrival of Mourinho and continued with the landing in the capital of Abraham. and a few months later the Conference trophy. Since the victory against Feyenoord, the Roma fans continue to collect memorable moments one after the other and the hope is that Dybala can take the team a little further. He has the talent of a phenomenon, it is useless to deny it (even if someone is trying to), if for years you are the best Juventus player (teams that have dominated Serie A for several consecutive seasons) you almost certainly are a top player. To understand the importance of this transfer, just go back to a few years ago, when no football fan could have imagined this transfer from Juventus to the Giallorossi. It happened. There is something different in the air, everyone perceives it and Dybala is the perfect photograph of the new AS Roma and its ambitions. Mourinho has a new star in the team and the goal is to make him shine even more than in Turin. With the love of the Giallorossi fans it is possible. And Paulo knows it.
