Opinion: Integrating Schick could prove key boost in second half of campaign

Having scored four goals in their last five Serie A clashes, Roma are in need of a spark in attack - but the answer to their offensive blues may yet come from within their existing squad.

With Serie A on pause for the next two weeks, it’s a perfect time for reflection and re-consideration, and one potential beneficiary could be forward Patrik Schick. Since moving to Trigoria in the summer the Czech Republic international has seen his progress stunted by a series of injuries; however, now fully fit and training consistently, perhaps the time is finally arriving for him under coach Eusebio Di Francesco.

Over the past month, Schick’s playing time has steadily increased, getting minutes on the right wing alongside Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti. In fact, the 21-year-old has featured in all Roma’s Serie A clashes in December, highlighting how is slowly starting to find his feet in the nation’s capital.

Despite initial unfamiliarity with the role – he played there occasionally last season at Sampdoria, but was more frequently used through the middle - the forward has shown flashes of brilliance and even scored his first goal in a Coppa Italia clash against Torino.

His well-taken finish at the near post that bamboozled Vanja Milinković-Savić was but a glimpse of what is to come from the young forward. Blessed, as all Serie A fans saw last season, with an abundance of technical ability and an impressive change of pace, it’s surely only a matter of time before Schick begins to haunt Serie A defences again.

Pavel Nedved, the former Juventus star and fellow Czech, had high praise for the forward earlier this summer.

“He reminds me of Zlatan Ibrahimovic because he was like that when he came to Juve,” Nedved told Czech outlet Denik. “He didn't have the muscles either. Then Zlatan gained muscles and turned into a world-class striker.”

It’s still early days - and it is typically better to stray away from such comparisons - but it underlines the regard Schick is held in around the game, and the development potential many see.

With Mohamed Salah’s departure to Liverpool leaving a void in Roma’s attack on the right wing, it’s time for Schick to make the spot his own. While the Czech forward is used to be playing centrally, and will surely end up there in future, he has demonstrated that he has all the necessary qualities to cut it out wide if the team requires it.

The 21-year-old is capable of beating his man with skill or speed and is equally as proficient with his deliveries, something Dzeko will certainly welcome in the second half of the season. In addition, it’s important to note that Schick rarely remained central in Marco Giampaolo’s 4-3-1-2 system.

Playing off Fabio Quagliarella, the forward was most effective when he marauded freely between the lines, not offering defences a reference point. His 11 goals and three assists in 14 starts were a product of his freedom.

Even if he may not always get the opportunity to feature in his natural position, Schick will have ample opportunity to torment full-backs in the near future. Being deployed on the right wing affords the Czech international the ability to cut inside onto his dominant foot and fire his typically deadly strikes from central areas.

Moreover, with Dzeko attracting much of the opposition centre-backs’ attention, Schick will have more space to operate in the final third and could potentially fly under the radar.

Granted, integrating him into the attack and teaching him a new position altogether will be a tall task for Di Francesco, who must also way up the benefits of giving Schick time to adjust with the impact any inevitable growing pains or inconsistency will have on his teams’ overall performance.

However, the former Sassuolo tactician has progressed the careers of a number of young talents over the years at Sassuolo in his trademark 4-3-3, a system he has now brought to Roma. With Cengiz Under and Gregoire Defrel also at his disposal, he can use the attackers in different ways - and in different circumstances - without burdening one too much.

It is a balancing act he has shown he can manage. After all, young forwards such as Domenico Berardi and Matteo Politano had their most productive seasons under Di Francesco and thrived playing in his free-flowing, offensive system.

If he follows that successful blueprint, Di Francesco can get Schick firing on all cylinders again, this time from a new position. While it won’t be easy, the 21-year-old has proven he can handle the pressure, having represented his nation across all levels, including at the U-21 European Championship this past summer.

Where Schick differs from the Sassuolo men (or Cengiz) is that he won’t be hugging the touchline, per se. Instead, the Czech international will have the licence to roam wherever he sees fit and overload opposition defences. With little restrictions imposed on him in the final third, Schick could do what he does best and make the most of his efficient movement and finishing.

During his Sampdoria days, these two qualities are what earned him recognition initially. At Roma, these tools are what will ensure he thrives.

With a crucial game coming up against Inter Milan and back-to-back clashes against his former side Sampdoria scheduled for a few weeks’ time, Schick will undoubtedly have chances to prove himself in the new year.

As the season wears on, it’s time the Roma man makes the right wing spot his own once and for all, and what better place to start than at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, where his Italian adventure first began.