Artem Dovbyk’s transfer to AS Roma was the talk of the town in the summer of 2024.
Several months into this new endeavor, Dovbyk demonstrated why the club was eager to sign him. Butit isn’t only the fans who are buzzing; so are the sportsbooks.
With Dovbyk at the front, the odds on Roma’s prospects in Serie A and the Europa League have already swung, proving the difference he is making. Whether you’re tracking action on the pitch or tuning into the betting lines, it’s evident that Dovbyk is a must-have.
Before wearing the famous yellow and red jersey of Roma, Dovbyk had been turning heads in Spain with Girona. As the top scorer for them in La Liga, he attracted the interest of clubs all over Europe. When Roma made inquiries, it seemed like a match made in heaven.
He has come a long way from being a budding star in Ukraine to being a La Liga superstar and now a talisman in Serie A. You can understand why Roma and their manager at the time, Daniele De Rossi, considered him the perfect signing.
So far, Dovbyk has scored 14 goals across all competitions (35 matches). To break it down:
9 goals in 23 Serie A matches
3 goals in just 2 Coppa Italia games
2 goals and 1 assist in 10 Europa League appearances
It’s not so bad for someone on his first campaign in Italy.
But you’re probably not here for the stats alone. You probably have noticed how Dovbyk adds a physical edge to Roma’s forward line, which has been mostly absent. You’ve seen him hold up the ball, fight with strength and determination against defenders, and he is always a threat in the air—always willing to jump over everyone else to meet a cross with his head.
If you have watched closely, you have seen his good positioning. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time, which makes him an invaluable asset to your squad.
Goals may be the most obvious metric for a striker’s impact, but you’ve likely noticed how much more he offers. Holding the ball up gives your team a breathing space to get structured attacks going, bringing teammates into play and increasing opportunities.
Have you seen his aerial skills not only serve a scoring role? They can also put Roma back in control of congested midfield tussles. Moreover, his clever off-the-ball movements often create that crucial space that makes your favorite lineup’s offense dynamic and unpredictable.
Dovbyk has made opponents adapt to him on the pitch, giving plenty of extra room for creators like Paulo Dybala or Lorenzo Pellegrini to work their magic.
When you picture Serie A, defensive tactical battles, gritty back-lines and a league where even the more seasoned strikers occasionally find it challenging to be on their game comes to mind. But Artem Dovbyk has risen to the challenge with impressive ease, maturity and composure you wouldn’t expect from a debutant.
Credit has to go to the coach, Claudio Ranieri, who has shepherded Dovbyk through the tactical maze of Italian soccer. With the support being crucial when entering a new environment, it is not hard to realize how much Dovbyk values this backing.
Even better, his teammates have already embraced him, smoothing what otherwise could be a difficult transition.
Obviously, every player has things they can work on, and Artem Dovbyk is no exception. You may have heard of his extraordinary goalscoring record. However, if you’ve paid attention, you’ll know he still has some development left in his link-up play, particularly against top-level defenses. Channeling that could take his game to another level.
Fans are impressed by his strong work ethic and attitude, so there’s every reason to think he will adjust to the tactical demands of Serie A’s most formidable defenses. Given Roma’s nurturing environment and clear motivation, you probably feel good about his chances of improving on those facets of his game.
Dovbyk has quickly become a fan favorite. Given his passionate celebrations and on-pitch dedication, he is a firm fan favorite amongst the Giallorossi supporters. Social media is alive with streams of his goals and celebrations of his performances, and his status as a central player is reinforced.
And the media has also been listening. His versatility and influence have recently drawn praise from Italian football pundits. People are beginning to guess he could be the season’s signing in Serie A, which he so seems to be worthy of already. With the same body shape yet an utterly different playstyle, Dovbyk has similarities with other successful strikers who have adapted immediately to Serie A, such as Dusan Vlahovic at Juve.
Still, his tactical understanding is broad enough to pick up what the team requires of him. To construct a squad that can compete for silverware, a dependable forward like Dovbyk is crucial for As Roma’s aspirations. With the proper support and further development, he could be Roma’s attacker for many years.
So, what do you think? Has Artem Dovbyk been worth the hype? Having racked up 14 goals and 4 assists in his first season and impacting the attacking play of Roma with his dribbles and flicks, it is safe to say that he hasn’t had a bad start.
But beyond that, his adaptability, positivity and willingness to grow have helped make it seem like his best days at Roma lie ahead. As the campaign drags on, and with specific areas of his game that he can improve, Dovbyk could quickly continue to be a key figure in Roma’s attempts to conquer domestically and Europe.
