Jose Mourinho on Roma’s Serie A chances: “Only Sampdoria and Lecce spent less than us”

Roma boss Jose Mourinhho has stated that the Giallorossi can only be a candidate to win the Scudetto if there are 18 titles to give.

The Giallorossi have had quite a great transfer window this time around, with Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum headlining the act. Nemanja Matic has also arrived on a free transfer, with Mile Svilar and Zeki Celik arriving to fill in the gaps in the goalkeeping position and right-back.

Ahead of Roma’s Serie A opener against Salernitana on Sunday, Mourinho was asked about the club’s chances of winning Serie A this season.

The Portuguese stated: “Roma can be a candidate for the Scudetto if there are 18 Scudetti available. Only Sampdoria and Lecce spent less than us. Milan and Inter finished with 25 and 23 points ahead of us and improved. There is a lot of noise around us because of interesting matches against Tottenham and Shakhtar. We talk about us, while there is silence around other teams. Lazio spent 39 million, are they candidates for the Scudetto?”

The ex-Tottenham and Manchester Utd boss also talked about the chances of Roma’s success in the UEFA Europa League.

He stated: “In Europe to do better you have to win the Europa League. But there are teams that have an economic potential that is not comparable, I’m not saying the distance between Earth and Mars, but there are people who spend €100 million-€150 million per season. We go play and do the best we can. 

“In the league, we finished in sixth place, our squad improved, we lost Mkhitaryan and Veretout, but we got players with whom we improved, but also the others. For this reason, during this period where I didn’t need to talk to journalists, it amazes me when it comes to us in one way, but not about the others.”

While Roma have signed marquee names, Wijnaldum has only arrived on an initial loan deal and Dybala has arrived on a free transfer and the same applies for Matic. Svilar has arrived for free and Celik is the only player for whom the club has spent a transfer fee.

GIFN