Roma have not had a positive season so far, but Claudio Ranieri is at the helm and he is starting to get the best out of some players, including Alexis Saelemaekers.
Calciomercato.com speak of a ‘renewed’ Saelemaekers, who has been deployed as a right wing-back in the 3-4-2-1 system used by Ranieri. He completely covered his flank, showing himself to be very useful in defensive coverage but also dangerous going forward.
From the heat map, you can see how the Belgian literally played on the entire wing with 84% pass. completion plus the merit of having been involved in three of Roma’s five goals. He scored a right-footed shot from a cross, had an attempt that rebounded to Paulo Dybala and then won a penalty.
Saelemaekers joined Roma on a dry loan from Milan and has only played 10 games this season (one of which was for the Rossoneri, playing multiple positions in the same game), mostly due to an ankle injury that kept him out from mid-September until early December.
Once he returned he has become the ace up Ranieri’s sleeve and has now also grabbed a starting spot. A question arises: couldn’t Saelemaekers have been useful to Milan? A team that are struggling this season, especially on the right side?
Samuel Chukwueze is struggling for form, Christian Pulisic is currently injured and has been used more centrally, while Davide Calabria and Emerson Royal at full-back have not given the necessary defensive guarantees.
