Who is Gianluca Mancini? The Roma defender linked with Chelsea and Man Utd

Emmet Gates

Updated: 17 May 2021 17:30 BST
7 min read

Who is Gianluca Mancini? The Roma defender linked with Chelsea and Man Utd — © ProShots

Roma defender Gianluca Mancini has drawn plaudits from pundits around Italy over the last year due to his impressive displays for the Giallorossi.

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Mancini, a product of Fiorentina’s youth academy, rose to prominence whilst playing under Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta. The rugged defender had a knack of scoring important goals, usually from corners, and possesses the ability to pick out a pass from distance.

His performances for Roma this season has seen speculation linking him with moves to Man Utd and Chelsea next summer. The side from the Italian capital are slugging it out with Atalanta, Juventus and Napoli for the last two Champions League places. Yet should Roma fall short, then the club may have to sacrifice one of their brightest talents, with Mancini top of the list.

What position does Gianluca Mancini play in?

Mancini plays primarily as a central defender for Roma. However, due to his ball-playing ability, he has also been used as a central midfielder by coach Paulo Fonseca in the aftermath of an injury crisis in the middle of the pitch.

Mancini conducted himself fairly well as a makeshift midfielder, but is generally more comfortable in defence.

The 24-year-old has a rugged style of defending and isn’t afraid to get his hands full of the opposing player’s shirt every now and then. Mancini has cited Marco Materazzi as his childhood idol, and there are undoubtedly similarities in their playing style.

Mancini is also comfortable playing in a three-man defence or in a flat back four. He’s quick on the ground and threatening in the air – most of his goals for Atalanta and Roma have come from corner kicks.

How good is Gianluca Mancini?

Mancini has emerged as one of the best defenders in the post-Giorgio Chiellini landscape in Italy.

His ability to both defend and score key goals has marked him as one of the best defenders of the next generation, and it would be no surprise if he plays a starting role for Roberto Mancini’s Italy side at Euro 2020 this coming summer.

“I have to improve on so many areas, such as not getting so many yellow cards and reading the game better. I do feel that I have become a better defender over the last year, also because I am accumulating experience,” said Mancini in the wake of Roma’s 3-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League.

Gianluca Mancini Roma Stats 2020/21
Games	27
Goals	5
Tackles Attempted/Tackles Won P90	1.8/1.1
Duels Attempted/Duels Won P90	9.1/4.7
Clearances P90	2.1

Which clubs are interested in Gianluca Mancini?

Speculation has mounted in recent times that Chelsea and Manchester Utd are both interested in signing Mancini.

For now, there’s little hope of Roma sanctioning a sale for one of their most prized assets. However, with a club debt that’s circulating around the €250m mark, missing out on Champions League football could mean the club having to offload Mancini.

Recent rumours from England suggest Roma could do business for around €35m, but this figure could increase should Mancini play well at the forthcoming Euros.

Roma are unlikely to sell the player to another rival in Italy, so it would likely mean a move abroad for the defender.