AS Roma: Three hopes, one fear

Hope #2: That Edin Dzeko can keep up the scoring pace.

Seven goals in eight matches. So much for being just a super-sub.

When Edin Dzeko left Manchester City in 2015 the thought was that his career was spiraling downward. Getting sent out on loan like so many other players last year, Dzeko had a solid campaign netting eight goals in Serie A and becoming an integral part in a deep rotation of Roma attackers.

With Dzeko, Totti, Salah, El Shaarawy, and Diego Perotti en tow Roma scored 83 goals in the Serie A last year, most among any teams. Dzeko was rewarded with a full-time contract from Roma and has since repaid his new-old employers with eight goals early in this Serie A campaign.

More from Serie A

• Update on Leonardo Bonucci’s legal action against Juventus
• Romelu Lukaku and the betrayal of Inter Milan
• Report: Piotr Zieliński set to sign a new deal with SSC Napoli
• The man rumored to replace Kim Min-Jae: Who is Napoli target Robin Le Normand?
• Are Napoli finally Scudetto-bound? It sure looks like it

The hope is that Dzeko can keep up the pace. With Totti turning 40, Salah still being a bit of an unknown quantity, and El Shaarawy not exactly known for adjusting well to new circumstances Dzeko is the most reliable attacking piece that Spalletti has. That isn’t to say that the other attackers are unreliable, but that when all else fails there is one attacker who can produce no matter the situation.

Roma’s Fearsome Five have thus far really worked well at sharing time and creating chances for the other. It will be interesting to see as the season goes on how Spalletti continues to balance playing time. The good news is with the Coppa Italia and the Europa League there should be enough time to make everyone happy. Further positive results will also help.