De Rossi has clear Roma plan for Italy U21 talent Baldanzi | OneFootball

Tommaso Baldanzi inspired Italy U21 win over Norway on Tuesday with a hat-trick and Roma coach Daniele De Rossi already has a clear plan to develop the 21-year-old at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma starlet Baldanzi played a massive role in Italy’s U21 win over Norway on Tuesday, scoring a hat-trick in a crucial 3-0 Azzurrini victory.

The former Empoli star joined Roma in the January 2024 transfer window but has struggled with playing time under De Rossi.

Nevertheless, the former Italian midfielder spoke very highly of Baldanzi during the pre-season, revealing that he’s been testing the 21-year-old in a new role at the Stadio Olimpico.

De Rossi has clear Roma plan for Italy U21 talent Baldanzi

Baldanzi, a natural attacking midfielder, was initially seen as a mere backup to Argentinean star Paulo Dybala, but De Rossi feels that he can be much more than that.

Although he’s probably still not ready for a starting role, De Rossi will play Baldanzi as a box-to-box midfielder this season, potentially replacing Lorenzo Pellegrini in the long run.

“Tommaso is a player I really like,” De Rossi said in an interview in August.

“He has quality and intensity. Sometimes, when he plays on the wings, he lacks a little bit of strength, but he is unpredictable in the middle. He is always active and dangerous. I think he is improving so much.

“He will soon be decisive in the last 16 meters; perhaps it’s the last thing he needs to become very strong. He is too smart and he has quality. I like him so much.”

Baldanzi hasn’t yet scored for Roma, providing one assist in 21 appearances for the Giallorossi.

He has six goals in 57 Serie A appearances with Empoli and Roma.