Footballers are under intense scrutiny, now more than ever not only on the field, but off it as well. With the wave of reality television and social media, decisions made off the field play a role in determining an athlete’s popularity marketability and legacy. Daniele De Rossi is now being forced to decide his fate by either remaining with his childhood club, AS Roma or moving on to bigger and more glamorous opportunities abroad!
Playing in Rome is no easy task for anyone let alone a native Roman. Francesco Totti aside, nobody, but a certain Daniele De Rossi, symbolizes AS Roma so vividly. Otherwise known as Capitan Futuro (Future Captain), at only 28 years old, he is not far behind in securing his legacy at AS Roma. Having grown up through the AS Roma system, Daniele has been a mainstay for the club for over ten years, endearing himself to the Roman faithful with his combative style.
Having grown up through the AS Roma system, Daniele has been a mainstay for the club for over ten years, endearing himself to the Roman faithful (with his combative style?). How does one like De Rossi, held in such high regard for so many years, find himself in the final year of a contract, set to expire in June with his future uncertain, his loyalty unrewarded?
He’s been lost in the shuffle and upheaval at the club, with a new ownership group concentrated on remaining the club as a global brand, and introducing youth to the first team, “With players of this level, it’s a shame to get to a situation where they’re at the end of their contract,” says his coach Luis Enrique.
“They ought to have renewed a long time ago, but I am convinced [that he will stay] all the same.” While the confidence in that quote is evident, one must put themselves in De Rossi’s shoes to consider the options at hand.
One must also assess the situation from De Rossi’s perspective. AS Roma is currently in a rebuilding mode with no real ambitions other than qualifying for Champions League football, which would be a major accomplishment considering only the top three teams from Italy qualify.
At twenty eight years of age, does De Rossi want to be a part of this or go elsewhere with the opportunity of winning the Champions League, the only remaining title currently missing from his cabinet? While many would be quick to label him a mercenary for choosing the latter, one could not blame him for doing so.
Aside from Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero (who appears to be headed elsewhere next year), only one other Italian player has represented his Club’s colours so symbolically. Paolo Maldini spent all twenty five years of his professional career with his childhood club, AC Milan. The major difference is that Maldini played at the height of AC Milan’s dominance, winning the Champions League five times, seven Serie A titles, five European Super Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups. In the absence of foreseeable silverware, Daniele De Rossi needs to re-evaluate his options as he prepares to sign the last significant contract of his career.
With De Rossi’s current contract set to expire in June 2012, allowing him to leave AS Roma on a free Bosman transfer, AS Roma should act quickly to resolve this matter. With Manchester City being the frontrunner for De Rossi’s services, and in need of reinforcements, having lost the Toure brothers to the African Cup of Nations, a January transfer is being explored. While Roberto Mancini has made his admiration known for De Rossi he knows the difficulty in prying him from his hometown club.
Further complicating matters is the collapse of transfer options for Carlos Tevez; reducing funds needed to bring in a player like De Rossi. A transfer now would mean AS Roma could recoup a transfer fee and use the funds to reinvest in the squad. Another option being floated sees him re-signing with AS Roma for a reported €6 million per year with an out clause allowing him to transfer, should they not qualify for the Champions League.
In any event, there will be no shortage of conversation by tifosi in the numerous daily sports papers and radio shows, either commending De Rossi’s ambition or calling him another mercenary footballer. Daniele De Rossi’s twilight is fast approaching and I would support his transfer and decision to not follow in Francesco Totti’s footsteps.
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It would be funny to see him in a baby blue kit alla lazio
ASROMA IS REBUILDING, DEROSSI SHOULD EXPLORE HIS OPTIONS. THAT CLUB LOYALTY THING IS SO RARE IT MIGHT AS WELL BE EXTINCT. MONEY FOR THESE GUYS SHOULD NEVER BE AN ISSUE. IF HE REALLY WANTS TO STAY WITH ROME, TAKE A PAYCUT, IF HE WANTS TO GO ELSWHERE, GO. EVERYBODY’S REPLACEABLE SOONER OR LATER.