Early on Monday morning, reports started to filter through claiming that AS Roma were likely to leave Rasmus Kristensen, on loan from Leeds United, out of their Europa League squad.
This was due to FFP restrictions, and the choice to exclude the Dane was helped by the fact they already have two right-backs in their squad with Rick Karsdorp and Zeki Celik.
What hasn’t helped the Leeds loanee as well, at least according to former Italian footballer Roberto Pruzzo, speaking to Radio Radio Mattino 104.5, relayed by Forza Roma, are his performances.
Kristensen was one of the first Leeds players to seek an exit from Elland Road following relegation to the Championship, and found AS Roma more than accommodating, as they thought they would likely get rid of Karsdorp.
That never happened, with the Dutchman still there, meaning they have an expendable in the position for Europe, which was always going to be the newcomer after they were limited with what they could do financially this summer.
On top of that, Kristensen’s first few outings haven’t exactly set the world alight, as explained by Pruzzo: “I wasn’t surprised to not see him on the list. His performances are below all expectations. It seems like an appropriate choice to me. Let’s hope these players can recover to help pit. Roma can only have a reaction on the pitch, we have to wait.”
The 26-year-old started the first two games against Salernitana and Hellas Verona, but was taken off at half time against the latter, only to be demoted to the bench for the third game against AC Milan, which Roma went on to lose 2-1 at home.
