Lorenzo Pellegrini has already scored five goals under Daniele De Rossi and is the second-most prolific midfielder in the top five European leagues across the last two months after Manchester City star Phil Foden.
Pellegrini scored a winner for Roma in a 1-0 victory over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
The Italy international has been in scintillating form since De Rossi replaced Mourinho on January 16. In 13 appearances across all competitions, he has scored six goals and provided three assists.
Five of his six goals came in Serie A matches, and only one midfielder, Foden, has been more prolific domestically than Pellegrini since mid-January, as Opta on X, formerly Twitter, reported.
Atalanta star Teun Koopmeiners has also netted five Serie A goals since January 2024.
Roma coach De Rossi praised Pellegrini during a post-match interview on Sunday.
What De Rossi said about Pellegrini
“Pellegrini is the Roma captain, and it’s not a comfortable role. When things don’t go well, Rome brings complaints and annoying things, and the captain is the first one to be targeted. I have experienced this personally.
“People love me now, but there were difficult moments when I was in the spotlight. Pellegrini wears this armband with a serenity that has surprised me. He was young when I left, now he’s a captain, and it’s not easy. He is positive and professional, a box-to-box midfielder that not many have. I am happy he will play with the national team because this is his level.”
Pellegrini stats under Mourinho
Pellegrini, 27, scored 25 goals in 105 matches under José Mourinho, but he struggled in front of the goal in the first part of 2023-24, netting just three times in 16 appearances under the Portuguese tactician. Pellegrini has been called up by Italy’s coach Luciano Spalletti for friendly encounters against Venezuela and Ecuador in the USA.
More must-reads: