Will Hermoso leaving hurt Ranieri’s chances this season? | OneFootball

The departure of Mario Hermoso from Roma to Bayer Leverkusen on loan until the end of the season is a move that has raised questions about the potential impact on Claudio Ranieri’s team.

The 29 year-old joined Roma last September but has struggled to secure a regular starting place, featuring in only eight Serie A matches and five games in Europe. His limited playing time and desire to play more often led to the move to Leverkusen being sanctioned.

Ranieri’s Defensive Options

Claudio Ranieri, who returned to manage Roma for a third time in November last year, has been given the task of stabilising the team amid a challenging season. Currently operating as a mid-table side, Roma have faced difficulties domestically and in Europe, as reflected by online football betting odds covering Serie A especially. The squad’s depth, particularly in defence, has been a concern, and Hermoso’s departure could exacerbate this issue.

However, even after Ranieri’s arrival, Hermoso was not a regular pick. His limited appearances suggest his absence may not significantly disrupt the team’s defensive stability. Ranieri can also call on Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling, and Evan Ndicka, who have played key roles in Roma’s backline. Young stars such as Filippo Missori and Riccardo Pagana have also emerged, and they can provide further cover.

Financial Considerations

Hermoso departing is also linked to Roma’s financial situation. The club continues to operate under strict Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints, limiting their ability to acquire high-profile players. Offloading Hermoso’s salary works in Roma’s favour in this respect.

Ranieri has also stated how squad management must be a balance between financial prudence and competitive performance. If it financially benefits Roma to free up Hermoso’s wages, especially when he’s not been playing, it’s a positive and fits with the direction the club is taking moving forward.

Defensive Stability

From a tactical standpoint, Ranieri’s teams are renowned for being defensively sound. His ability to set up company and disciplined defensive structures means that losing a player like Hermoso is unlikely to create a major issue. However, injuries or suspensions to key defenders could test the depth of the squad over the next few months.

Additionally, Roma have been inconsistent defensively this season, conceding 28 goals in their first 22 Serie A games. While Hermos did not feature much, the lack of defensive options available to Ranieri may force him to adjust things or rely on makeshift solutions if injuries strike. A shift to a more conservative approach, such as using three central defenders and wing-backs, could be an option.

Will They Miss Hermoso?

In short, Roma and Ranieri are unlikely to miss Hermoso and his departure won’t directly impact their chances this season, as he rarely featured. However, there could be a different answer to this question if Roma are hit hard at the back by absences, be it injuries, suspensions, or a mixture of the two.