Roma Review 2017, Part 1: Monchi’s arrival

Roma’s six-part Review of 2017 kicks off with the arrival of a new sporting director, Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo - commonly known as 'Monchi'. Five fans, from both sides of the Atlantic, provide the commentary…

Daniele Trombetta / @Dtrombetta87: “When Monchi was first linked with a move to Roma it was a bit like hearing a fairy tale that you want to believe in because it's so exciting you can't stop thinking about it. His reputation preceded him.

Bren / @BrenCdT: “I was sceptical [about the rumours] because he had his pick of jobs and it wouldn’t have been surprising had he taken the easy route, choosing a Premier League club or one of the giant, oil-based clubs. So when it actually happened, I was incredibly, incredibly surprised! But more to the point, it was nice to know that Roma were seeking out the top candidate for a suddenly vacant position. It will be interesting to see how he puts his stamp on the team over the next few years.”

Wayne Girard / @WayneinRome: “I was happy to hear that Walter Sabatini was being replaced. With the amount of money and time he had with the team, I was truly disappointed and ready for Roma’s next chapter. I didn’t think [Monchi] would end up choosing Roma – PSG had shown serious interest, and whenever they want someone or something, they get it. When I saw a picture of him in the Boston Celtics stadium, I said, ‘Holy cow, it’s happening!’”

Francesco Costa / @francescocosta: “When I heard the rumours of Monchi’s likely arrival, it seemed very logical to me. When you look at the choices made by the club over the past few years, you see there are clear principles behind the selection of executives: charismatic, ambitious people with good football knowledge, able to take risks, think independently but also show some human sensibility. People like Walter Sabatini, Franco Baldini, Mauro Baldissoni or Umberto Gandini. In that sense, Monchi seemed to be one of us even before he was appointed. A Roma man. I then thought something else: I was proud that Roma was at the head of the queue to appoint one of the most celebrated sporting directors in Europe. And I thought that regardless of the outcome of negotiations. We want a Roma that is arrogant and that fights for the best executives and footballers around, and that’s what the club was doing.”

John Solano / @Solano_56: “I was very excited; Monchi is one of the most well-respected sporting directors and talent evaluators in all of world football. I had a very high opinion of Monchi while he was in Spain. To be able to attain the success he had is sensational.”

@BrenCdT: “I don’t follow La Liga terribly closely, but you didn’t have to be an ardent fan to recognise his skill at finding talent and then, when the time was right, flipping that talent for massive profit. But anyone who could have kept Sevilla in the conversation in such a top-heavy league is certainly someone worthy of acclaim.”

@WayneinRome: “I was Impressed but also envious – why was this club, significantly smaller than Roma, acquiring such great talent and winning European trophies? When Franco Vazquez made the move from Palermo to Spain, I was baffled that he didn’t somehow stay in Italy. But it was Monchi who had been watching him, and I knew such a studied purchase could only have been made by a sophisticated and watchful director."

@francescocosta: “I’ve a real interest in people who see things before anyone else does, so I found Monchi to be a truly fascinating figure. On the one hand, football is chock-full of highly competent people, who spend every day of their lives trying to find the world-beaters of the future before anyone else, watching hundreds of games every year, obsessively looking for clues in each touch of the ball and each pass. On the other hand, there are young players with huge potential who are destined to come to the fore at one stage or another, and it depends on who is the first to realise it and nab them. In the last few years, there have been many cases where Monchi has been that person. If you then throw in his achievements on a European level, you understand why Monchi gets so much respect.”

“I've always respected, admired and perhaps been slightly envious of him for the magnificent job he did at Sevilla and the results he helped them achieve in Europe.”

- @Dtrombetta87

@francescocosta: “When I saw images of him saying goodbye to the Sevilla fans, I realised he is someone that can create a connection, stronger than what many footballers manage, let alone a club executive, and that he would have had no problem communicating with the fans and players, even in a delicate environment like Roma. But at the same time, given his career, he could have arrived at Roma and sought to overhaul everything, starting all over again to do as he wants. Instead, I’ve appreciated his ability – which he showed in the first transfer window – to build on what was already here. Roma have been improved and supplemented in every department, and we’re still to see the best of [Patrik] Schik and [Rick] Karsdorp, two of the players that cost the most.”

@Solano_56: “I do appreciate Monchi’s honesty, particularly with the media and fans. Given that he was a player and is now a director, he seems to have a very good understanding of what players require from their sporting director.”

@BrenCdT: “I’ll reserve judgement until he has a few windows under his belt. This window will be remembered for two key acquisitions: Aleksandar Kolarov and Patrick Schick. Kolarov has been, quite simply, the best left back in the league and Monchi got him for a song, so he deserves high praise for that move. Schick, meanwhile, looks like a star in the making, it’s just a matter of minutes and utilisation in the short run before he truly breaks out.”

@WayneinRome: “When I see him with Totti, it really makes me happy – Monchi knows who to learn from. He didn’t come into the city with any type of arrogance. His relationship with the squad and the fans show that he is not just a transparent and honest director, but a good man. Those qualities are rare these days.

“In regards to his first window of business, I have my reservations. On the positive side, the arrival of Schick was a blockbuster for me, and I truly believe that now we have one of the world’s greatest up–and-coming strikers. Aleksandar Kolarov has been arguably the squad’s best player this season, and he was signed for peanuts. This was his first market, but I believe that with some time he will fit all the pieces to the puzzle.”

@Dtrombetta87: “Monchi brought enthusiasm, experience, professionalism and lots of energy to Trigoria. He quickly struck a chord with Roma fans because they're much like the fans in Seville – extremely passionate and with a strong sense of belonging. Romanisti see him as a leader who's very close to the people. He made some exciting signings in the summer and instantly displayed his knack for picking the right players. Aleksandar Kolarov is a prime example: he's the best value for money acquisition in Serie A.”