Donyell Malen’s Career Revival at AS Roma
When Donyell Malen transitioned from Borussia Dortmund to Aston Villa nearly a year back, he was filled with excitement. However, a year later, that initial enthusiasm seems to have waned significantly. His dissatisfaction in Birmingham grew steadily, largely due to limited playing opportunities. Now, with his transfer to Serie A, he has embarked on a career comeback.
Striking Success in Rome
Malen has hit the ground running. In his first five matches for AS Roma, the Dutch forward scored five goals. This impressive feat places him alongside the legendary Gabriel Batistuta, who last accomplished such a start with the Giallorossi back in the 2000s. Clearly, Malen’s entrance has been nothing short of remarkable.
In addition to his scoring prowess, he has already netted two doubles, including a standout performance in a recent clash against the reigning champions from Naples. His efforts nearly secured an impressive 2-2 draw for his team.
Gasperini’s Vision
Italian media outlets have hailed Roma’s acquisition of Malen as a significant win and one of the biggest surprises in transfers of recent years. His new manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, had a clear understanding of the player he was bringing to the club.
“I’ve always believed that Malen has the right attributes for my style of play: he is a complete striker, quick, agile, and has excellent chemistry with teammates,” Gasperini stated following the Napoli match.
He further emphasized the importance of having a striker like Malen in the squad, noting, “He scores frequently because we put him in positions where he can be a constant threat.” This shift in strategy has been the key to Malen’s resurgence.
A Change in Role
Unlike his stints at Aston Villa and predominantly at Borussia Dortmund, where he played on the wing or in advanced positions, Malen is now at the forefront as a center forward. This new role was a critical factor persuading him to join the Italian side.
“I favor playing centrally. I believe it allows me to be more impactful as a genuine number nine, creating opportunities and finding the net. That’s why I appreciate this position,” Malen remarked during his introduction in Rome about four weeks ago.
A New Lookman?
Gasperini seems to have found an integral piece for his success strategy at Roma. Much like in Bergamo, where he led his team to a Europa League victory, the clever tactician is employing a 3-4-2-1 formation, permitting the striker to act as both a finisher and a skilled playmaker. Ademola Lookman demonstrated this effectively during his standout season at Atalanta two years ago.
Malen is on track to emulate that success. His involvement in the offensive phase is noteworthy: he averages 4.2 touches per game within the opponent’s penalty area and boasts an impressive 82% pass completion rate in the attacking half. Additionally, he has completed twelve successful dribbles and taken 25 shots over his five matches, displaying the ambition and danger that the club sought when they secured his signing during the January transfer window.
Aiming for Champions League Qualification
Currently, Roma sits fourth in Serie A, trailing leaders Inter by 14 points, with aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since the 2017/18 season. Gasperini believes the club would be further along the path to this goal if Malen had been brought in earlier: “I’m confident that if we had Malen in the first half of the season, we’d have accumulated a few more points.”
It seems Malen would have benefitted immensely from a quicker change of environment, avoiding several frustrating months. His transfer has not only transformed his club situation but also his outlook on the game, leading all parties to believe that the mandatory purchase clause in the summer will feel more like a fortunate opportunity.
