Opinion: Why Cengiz Ünder is starting to look like a shrewd purchase

Seventy-one minutes had been played at Stadio Olimpico, with Roma trying to break the deadlock against Sampdoria. Eusebio Di Francesco decides to make a substitution and as the board is lifted to signal the replacement of No. 17, the stadium breaks into applause.

While the fans were delighted to see the return of Diego Perotti after his injury, the applause that rang around the stadium was in recognition of the impressive contribution of Cengiz Ünder.

The 20-year-old winger had been a bright spark for Roma in an otherwise disappointing display.

Cengiz played with a lot of confidence for his age and looked calm throughout. As more senior members of the squad searched for fluency, Cengiz played on the front foot, often getting into dangerous positions and looking a threat.

He’s still awaiting his first Roma goal but came closer than ever in the second half, as he saw Emiliano Viviano save his shot from close range. The Sampdoria keeper’s face was the only thing in the way of a Cengiz goal as the winger latched onto an Alessandro Florenzi cross, volleying the ball towards the net with the inside of his foot, before it collided with the head of Viviano.

Elsewhere in the match, Cengiz also had another two of his attempts blocked, and struck one off target. He was becoming a dangerous attacking weapon for Roma and was unlucky to be replaced.

Indeed, it was the second good performance from the Turkish youngster in a matter of days. In the reverse fixture against the same opponents in midweek, with the squad troubled by injuries, Cengiz had been entrusted with a space in the starting line-up. Roma couldn’t get the win at the Marassi either, but once again, the youngster was one of the team’s standout performers.

He created two chances, and won five of his seven duels.

In that away encounter, the former Istanbul Basaksehir man was lively on the ball and played in a manner that suggested he had no fear. That is exactly what Roma fans have come to expect from Cengiz in his blossoming career at the club. He has shown that he can be a very exciting player, and importantly, one who trusts his own ability.

All this is even more remarkable when you consider the steps Cengiz has taken to get where he is today. He has moved to a new country, where he doesn’t yet speak the language, at a very young age, but his hard work and humility have set the groundworks for him to succeed.

Not many players of his age have the same strong mentality, but it’s just another factor in his favour as he looks to make an impression in Italy.

Cengiz has shown enough hints of quality recently to indicate that the next time he is selected to start for Roma, it will not be a matter of rotation, but he will be there on merit. He is increasing his workload, showing adaptability by playing on either wing, and carrying his weight in the team, despite his relative lack of experience.

The form of Cengiz, along with other young players like Lorenzo Pellegrini, has been a significant positive to take from recent matches, even if the results haven’t gone Roma’s way.

He may still be waiting for his first goal but Cengiz is beginning to look like a very shrewd purchase, and someone who can go on to establish himself as a key player for Roma in the future.