French football expert Jeremy Magan returns to give some background on Roma’s newest teen signing: Robinio Vaz.
Robinio Vaz arrives at Roma as a relatively unknown 19-year-old whose transfer came out of nowhere. Despite his youth and inexperience, his talent was enough for Ricky Massara and Co. to drop €25 million on the French teenager. To learn more about Roma’s recent signing, who made his debut on Sunday in Turin, we brought back French football expert Jeremy Magan to give us insight into Vaz.
Vaz is just 18 years old and was nowhere on the radar of the daily rumors until this transfer gained traction. What can you tell us about Vaz’s upbringing as a footballer? When did he begin to be noticed in Ligue 1 circles?
We are really in year 1 – he played barely 80 minutes all up last season, but exploded on the scene in the last few months.
He was recruited by OM from Sochaux, in an effort to focus on post-formation a couple of years ago. The idea was to find good players for the reserve team – with the hope one could make it to the 1st team.
How did he end up at Roma? Was there any talk in the French media about how the Giallorossi came out ahead of other potential suitors?
The rumours started because the contract talks stalled. Rumours are Vaz’ agents wanted too much money and Benatia and Longoria put OM first and said they would “put him on the transfer list” if he didn’t sign a new contract. It sounds like they “offered” him around to make sure they would get their money’s worth.
What can you tell us about Vaz, the footballer? What’s his playing style like? Strengths and areas for growth? Any players he reminds you of?
He is young. Maybe he s the next Osimhen, Adebayor, maybe he s a flash in the pan. Hard to know right now.
Under De Zerbi, when he started getting some game time, he was doing it all. High pressing, high energy, always in the right position, great use of his body to protect the ball, impressive strength, and cold finishing.
Once he got the starting role, he did not confirm straight away. As if he had given 200% on the first few opportunities, but couldn’t deliver consistently. Again he is young.
He has got a lot of talent. Consistency will be key. He knows where the goal is, he is not selfish, he works hard and wants to fit the team and the coach’s system.
Vaz has made 6 goal contributions in only 379 league minutes this season, averaging 1.42G+A/90, showing he’s impactful for Marseille despite limited playing time. Is he capable of replicating this influence at a club like Roma midseason? How well would he fit into Gasperini’s high-pressing system?
I expect him to impress everyone in his first few minutes. He is a tornado of energy and creates his own luck with perpetual movement and impressive physicality. After a couple of good games, you might see the same lack of consistency he has shown in Marseille.
A club spends €25m on an unproven teen only if it sees potential. Gasperini has developed less costly talents at Atalanta, so Vaz should have the right manager, though in a more pressure-filled environment. If he succeeds, what is his ceiling?
If he succeeds, he can be one of the best strikers in Serie A. He looks unstoppable on a good day. And again, he makes his team better, not only himself. He looks a great fit for Gasperini. I think the price was because German and English team were ready to spend big too. He is a young prospect.
In Marseille, being “from the club”, he would have been given a bit of time, but he also experienced the pressure of a big club. So pressure at Roma shouldn’t be an issue for him.
We thank Jeremy for his time and insight on Vaz. If you’d like to check out more of his work, head to his YouTube page and give him a follow on Twitter.
Category: General Sports
