Claudio Ranieri, Roma's senior advisor, spoke to Sky Sportafter several months of silence, to address the club's current affairs, including the possible return of Francesco Totti, Dybala's contractual situation and the transfer market. The former coach did not deny the recent friction in Trigoria, evidenced by Gasperini's statements after the game with Udinese, but sought to convey a message of serenity and unity around the Friedkin project. «The desire is to reach as high as possible. We know that, but we also know what we are building», stated Ranieri. “We are not demanding qualification for the UEFA Champions League. We have a three-year program and the management asked for a group of 15 players, complemented by young people. This is the path we want to travel as quickly as possible, but it is not immediately easy. We are satisfied with what Gasperini is doing.” The relationship between Gasperini and Massara Ranieri described the distinct personalities of the coach and the sporting director, admitting that he acts as a bridge between them. «They have different characteristics. Gasperini puts pressure on everyone, he would even put pressure on God. He arrives in the morning, bangs his fist on the table and says: 'I want this'. Massara is a thoughtful and calm person who tries to do his job», he explained. «Massara represents the management, listens to the coach and sees what he can do with the Friedkins. I'm in the middle», he admitted. It was Ranieri himself who suggested Gasperini's name in the summer. «There was a choice and I gave my opinion. Then, the Friedkins chose Gian Piero. We are happy with the way the team plays and with their work.” Dybala and Pellegrini renewals One of the most sensitive topics concerns the contract renewals of key players such as Dybala and Pellegrini. Ranieri got straight to the point, highlighting the need for financial restraint. «For the club's survival, we have to lower the wage bill. It's not that the management doesn't want to renew the contracts», he clarified. The players' continuity will depend on the willingness of all parties to reach an agreement. «Based on what the field tells us, if there is an understanding, great. Otherwise, we say goodbye.” Possible return of Totti The big news was the confirmation that Francesco Totti's return is a real hypothesis. “The Friedkins are thinking about it and I hope that Francesco can be truly useful to Roma, because he is a part of Roma,” revealed Ranieri. The advisor has been mediating conversations between the former captain and the club, which have been ongoing for some time. The main obstacle is defining the role that Totti would play, with the hypothesis on the table being an operational role, similar to the one Paolo Maldini had at Milan. Totti's return to the Olímpico to watch the game against Stuttgart, after two years of absence, was an important sign that the rapprochement is underway. Ambitions and market Despite the need to control costs, Ranieri guarantees that Roma's ambitions remain high. “The new stadium shows how involved the Friedkins are. The request to the coach is to reach the Champions League and then the year arrives in which we can win the Scudetto,” he said, adding that the three-year objective is to build a squad with 15 to 16 players that the coach considers suitable for his model. Regarding the market, Ranieri praised the signings of Malen and Zaragoza, players requested by Gasperini. «Malen is a Dutch international, he knows how to play as a reference and shoot in difficult situations. We were missing a player like Zaragoza, who has the ability to break the marking one-on-one.”
