With AS Roma in Australia for the International Champions Cup, we thought it the perfect time to delve into some depth as they prepare for the 2015/16 season.
Here are the 5 big issues for Roma ahead of the ICC tournament involving Real Madrid and Manchester City.
What difference will Castan and Strootman make in their comebacks?
In Leandro Castan and Kevin Strootman, Roma has two virtually brand new signings without spending a penny.
Brazilian international Castan played 40 games two seasons ago, and was considered the starting centre-back at the beginning of last season, before doctors found a potentially serious cavernoma in his brain. He played just once last season, while €17m signing Strootman played only six times last campaign after undergoing knee surgery.
It will be interesting to see how the pair recover, and the improvement they will give to Roma's spine if fit. Given Castan's situation is fairly unique, there can be no predicting how he will fare, however reports suggest he has been training well. It will surely be tougher for the all-action, tough-tackling Strootman to return straight to full confidence given his style of game.
Both players should be given chances in the ICC and their respective seasons could start now as they push to make up for lost time.
Leading goal scorer scored only 8 last term. Can they find more? Can Doumbia score goals for fun like he did in Russia?
Veteran Francesco Totti and Serbian striker Adam Ljajic were Roma's top scorers in the Serie A last season, with a poultry eight goals. If the Giallorossi are to go one further next season and leapfrog champions Juventus, they must find someone who can bag a 15-20 goal season.
Seydou Doumbia scored goals for fun in Russia with CSKA Moscow, before arriving in Rome to much fanfare in January. However, the €14.4m man failed to live up to expectations, and scored only twice in 14 league appearances. There are rumours the Ivorian may even find his way out of the club before the new season, although he has travelled to Australia with the rest of the squad for the ICC and should be given chances to prove himself while down under.
Whether it be Doumbia, or a new signing, Roma won't win the title without a quality striker to lead the line.
Can they sign Edin Dzeko?
Edin Dzeko could be the man to solve Roma's striker woes, with the capital club reportedly very close to a deal for the Bosnian striker. Dzeko is on his way to Melbourne for the ICC with current club Manchester City, which would make a deal all the more easy to complete.
Some sources claim a €14m deal has already been agreed upon, although there is nothing to confirm these rumours. Dzeko has scored 50 goals in 130 Premier League games for City, and would surely give Roma's attack the impetus it needs for a title challenge.
Expect Rudi Garcia's side to really go after the former Wolfsburg star, especially if he happens to bag himself a goal at the MCG on Tuesday.
Can Totti still do it on his old legs?
Club legend Francesco Totti again led the Roma scoring charts last season, despite playing a limited workload (27 games in Serie A). The 38-year-old has been the mainstay of Roma's frontline for almost two decades, and currently sits on 299 competitive goals for Roma. Such is the Italian's longevity, Roma's Australian prodigy Daniel Da Silva was not born when Totti made his first team debut for the club back in March 1993.
Australian fans will want to catch a glimpse of the Italian superstar and many expect him to be at the top of his game in the ICC despite his years.
Each year the same question is asked; How long can he continue to shoulder the burden of his club's title hopes? Earlier this month, Totti admitted he may not return next season, which could mean this campaign is his swansong. A second Scudetto would be a perfect send off for 'The King of Rome'.
What impact can De Silva have?
Roma signed Daniel De Silva for $AUD2million as a 17-year-old April 2014. The youngster had previously made his debut for A-League side Perth Glory as a 15-year-old, coming up against the likes of Brett Emerton and Alessandro Del Piero in his first match. De Silva will join up with his Roma teammates during the ICC tournament, and will likely make his debut for the Italian giants at some point during the pre-season competition.
It will be interesting to see whether De Silva is able to have an impact immediately for his new club. Certainly, those who spent some time watching his progress for Glory will say he can, pointing to his now famous goal against Central Coast Mariners as proof that the kid can play.
De Silva will almost certainly spend some time playing for the club's youth team, however many eyes will be on the most talented Aussie to leave for foreign shores in some time during the ICC.
Roma take on Real Madrid at the MCG on Saturday followed by a meeting with Manchester City at the same venue on Tuesday.
