Opinion: What can fans expect from new boy Kumbulla?

Roma's acquisition of Marash Kumbulla is a real coup for the club, with the talented 20-year-old targeted by many elite European outfits across Italy, England and Germany this summer.

Having been one of the most outstanding young defenders in Serie A last season for Hellas Verona, the centre-back adds some crucial depth and quality to Roma's defensive ranks.

Featuring 25 times for Ivan Juric's Verona in their excellent league campaign on their way to finishing a credible ninth, this allowed him to gain valuable experience and to test himself against Italy's finest teams.

Importantly, he passed most of those stern examinations with flying colours, handling the step up in class admirably.

With Pauo Fonseca most likely to start with a back three, the Albanian international will have little issue adapting to this system due to Verona's deployment of a 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 shape. Capable of operating in all slots across a back three, he's most frequently played centrally or on the left.

Aggressive and intense in his defensive work and set to contribute nicely on the offensive end, Kumbulla's capture makes perfect sense for Fonseca' side.

Despite being only 20, there's been so much to admire about his stopping output. Possessing sound awareness and very alert to danger, Kumbulla's quick to react to his opponents' movement. Whether it be when they drop short, embark on a run in behind or into the channels, make a darting run inside the box or when they make their move at a set piece, he's dealt with these scenarios well.

Although he's not blessed with searing pace, he's still reasonably mobile for a man of his size. Indeed, the way he gets side on and into a slightly crouched posture also assists him to powerfully respond to opponents and not get caught flat footed.

Quick to read the ball's flight and to adjust his body shape if need be, he's been efficient at dealing with crosses and cutbacks into the box, set pieces and through balls over the top.

The fact he persistently checks his blindside to gain an updated mental picture of his surroundings is a positive indicator of his innate defensive instincts, and his awareness of where the danger might come from.

Seeing as Juric instructed his team to press vigorously man for man, Kumbulla excels at getting touchtight to markers and putting them under extreme duress when they drop deep.

Using his arms, shoulders and body, this fierce harrying means his markers struggle to cleanly control the ball or smoothly complete their passes. He's subsequently able to force turnovers or errors to help his team regain possession to launch quick attacks upfield.

Typically timing his tackles and interceptions neatly, plus using his telescopic long legs to reach in and recover balls, this adds to his ball-winning prowess.

Not easily fazed and usually remaining composed in the face of danger, his ability to calmly process tough situations has been key. Moreover, this has seen him largely position himself ideally while coordinating himself with his defensive comrades to ensure they remain structurally secure.

Standing 185cm tall and so astute at reading the ball's trajectory, he's an accomplished header of the ball. Be it at set pieces on both ends, handling long balls or clearing crosses, Kumbulla bravely attacks the ball to get their first.

Upon watching him play with such authority and conviction, but also blending a nous that belies his tender years, it's easy to understand why his idol is Giorgio Chiellini.

By the numbers on the defensive end, his 12.08 recoveries per game (9th best among Serie A defenders last season), 11.55 defensive duels pg at a 71.8% success rate (best in the league), 5.13 counterpressing recoveries pg (4th best), 5.21 aerial duels pg (7th best), 5.68 successful pressures pg (top five), 1.78 possession adjusted tackles won (top 10) and 5.41 interceptions pg show why his reputation has risen so rapidly.

Shifting the focus to his offensive output, and he'll contribute nicely here too. A very competent passer, who distributes with accuracy and precision, he'll fit right in with Fonseca's desire to build out from the back.

Capable on either foot and largely cool under pressure, this sees him connect and construct moves neatly. While most of his passes are considered passes into his midfielders, wingbacks or fellow defenders, it's been impressive how he can also break the lines, hit raking switches, strike measured through balls and disguise his passes to unbalance markers.

Although he recognises he needs to improve his dribbling out from defence, he demonstrated he could still do this successfully at Verona.

When the opportunity arose, he'd look to drive forward into vacant spaces with the idea being to gain territory before luring out a presser to open vertical or diagonal passing lanes to find a free man.

Meanwhile, his movement offers additional interesting elements, as he naturally seems to spread wide to stretch the opposition's first line of pressure while forming overloads to help his team beat the press.

Moreover, when playing at left centre-back, he's foten caused marking dilemmas for adversaries by bombing down the touchline into the attacking half and positioning himself as an auxiliary wing-back.

Eager to come in and hit the ground running, he'll be hoping he can quickly form formidable relationships with his new defensive teammates just like he did in Verona with the likes of Amir Rrahmani, Pawel Dawidowicz, Koray Gunter, Davide Faraoni, Darko Lazovic and Alan Empereur.

Having joined Verona at the age of eight and charged through the ranks remarkably, Kumbulla will be looking to continue his progression at Roma.