The concern of Chris Smalling’s agent in communicating urbi et orbi the situation of his client has brought the attention of Roma fans to the contractual expiration of the defender. ” Roma do not have an option to renew Smalling’s contract. The contract expires in June 2023. The player is focused on doing his best for Roma and continuing his high-level performances to win in the Giallorossi. His feeling about Roma, the fans, the team and the city is absolutely positive”. A public release aimed at silencing the recent rumors of a renewal already signed and reiterate who has the knife on the neck.
Because the renewal clause up to 2024 exists, but it is exercisable exclusively by the player and will lead to the achievement of 50% of the seasonal attendance. With a quick calculation, Roma will be able to play 58 official games between now and June, so the option will certainly start at the 29th appearance. Smalling is down to 21 today and is expected to reach the finish line in late February. From that moment you will be free to sign the renewal at the same figures as currently received or to reach expiry.
The strategy at Roma is clear, especially for players over 30. Playing so much you earn on the field renewal and offer confirmation of their physical integrity. This dynamic reflects the contractual situation of Matic, also due to expire in 2023 with the option to renew at 50% of the presences and stop at 20 seasonal tokens.
Different speech for El Shaarawy that this summer will expire but still has to sit at the negotiating table to outline its own future. The salary of 3.5 million euros a year weighs like a boulder on Roma’s finances and remains the biggest obstacle.
On the other hand, the condition experienced by Belotti that this summer he signed a one-year contract with a renewal option for two more, exclusively for FFP issues, after the agreement with UEFA. The deadline is June 2023, as well as the willingness to continue together. But the beginning of the season was lame and the performance on the field still did not trigger any automatic renewal option.