Gasperini: I’ll pick Dybala ‘every time’ over Ferguson, I have January transfer hope

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini insists he’ll pick Paulo Dybala over Evan Ferguson ‘every time’ and hopes the January transfer window will ‘help’ the Giallorossi.

Roma lost 2-1 to Juventus on Saturday, seeing the Bianconeri move just one point below them in the Serie A table.

Dybala started the game in attack for the Giallorossi, but Ferguson was introduced as a substitute in the second half.

Gasperini said in his post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia that the Republic of Ireland international was still unconvincing, and during his press conference, attended by Football Italia, he added more on the matter.

“If I have to choose between Dybala and Ferguson, I’d choose Dybala every time. It’s not about Ferguson; it’s a choice I’ve made before, and if that’s the choice, I choose Dybala.”

It’s no secret that Gasperini wants at least a new attacking player in the January window, and after the defeat against Juventus, he openly admitted that he hopes the club will bring reinforcements next month.

“I don’t know if it will come from the transfer market, but surely it’s an opportunity,” he said.

“I’m very satisfied with the performance, the spirit was commendable, but we’ve lost to Inter, Milan, Juventus and Napoli and it’s no coincidence. It means we are missing a step. We’re close in certain situations, but we have an important fanbase and an important club behind us. We must aim to improve and I hope the January transfer window can help us do that. It’s not easy, but we have to believe.”

Evan Ndicka is on international duty, while Mario Hermoso was dealing with muscle fatigue last night, spending the entire match on the bench, so Jan Ziolkowski started at the back. Gasp was satisfied with the 20-year-old’s performance, despite some “mistakes.”

“It’s no surprise, we lost Ndicka and Hermoso, two of the three pillars in defence. Ziolkowski played a very good match,” Gasperini concluded.

“He’s a player with great potential. It wasn’t easy to play against Juventus’ attackers, but he did well despite a few mistakes that anyone can make. He’s a player with excellent prospects.”