Gasperini: Malen can threaten Higuain's record, defends Dybala debate with Messi comparison

During his latest interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Donyell Malen challenge Gonzalo Higuain’s 36-goal record in Serie A and insisted he’s not worried about Paulo Dybala’s fitness: ‘How many games has Messi missed?’

Roma coach Gasperini released an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday, discussing the club’s transfer activity, the team’s performances so far and their objectives for the new campaign.

Talking about transfers, Gasperini said he din’t block Manu Koné’s Chelsea transfer as the Blues had not sent an official offer for the Frenchman but admitted that financial restrictions didn’t allow them to sign some of their major transfer targets, including Mason Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville.

LECCE, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates his team’s opening goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and AS Roma at Stadio Via del Mare on August 31, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) Roma indeed made one of their biggest piece of business in the January window when they signed Malen on loan with an option to buy from Aston Villa. The Dutchman scored 14 Serie A goals in the second half of the season, making his move permanent for €25m at the end of 2025-26.

Malen has flourished under Gasperini in a centre-forward role, with the coach revealing what first caught his eye about the Dutchman last year.

“His first touch, with which he creates space,” Gasp said.

“With the second, he sets himself; with the third, he shoots. I told myself: if I move those three touches closer to the goal, he becomes lethal. And indeed…”

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Mario Hermoso during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on August 24, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Malen has already scored five goals in the opening two Serie A games of the season and Gasperini hopes the 27-year-old will keep his determination levels high.

“Maintain his hunger, even though he’s already scored a few goals,” Gasp said.

“You can make mistakes, but there’s a right way and a wrong way. Against Lecce, he did it [the second goal] too carelessly.”

Given the start, however, Gasp is confident Malen can break the 36-goal record in a single Serie A campaign, set by Higuain in 2015-16 and Ciro Immobile in 2019-20.

“If he threatens Higuaín’s record of 36, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Gasperini said.

Dybala has also had a strong start, providing three assists in the opening league game of the campaign against Fiorentina. The Argentine signed a one-year contract extension in July and Gasperini is not concerned about potential injuries through the season.

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Donyell Malen with Paulo Dybala and Wesley Franca of AS Roma celebrates during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on August 24, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) “No, he had an excellent pre-season; he’s strong, he’s fit,” Gasp said.

“There are words I hate: preserve, save, rest… I ask Paulo: ‘Do you want to play more?’ If he answers ‘Yes’, I keep him on even if we’re 4-0 up. Never stop a player who’s enjoying himself and playing. How many games has Messi missed?”

Dybala is among the big No.10 Gasp has coached, but the Italian tactician couldn’t choose between three of them: La Joya, Josip Ilicic and Papu Gomez at Atalanta.

“Impossible. Everyone is unique in their own way,” Gasperini said.

“They are the poetry of football that will never be reduced to results alone.”

Roma will host Gasperini’s former club Atalanta at the Olimpico tomorrow.

“They’re very strong, with the economic power of a big club,” Gasp said.

BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta is challenged by Torbjorn Heggem of Bologna FC 1909 during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Bologna FC at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 31, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “Like last year, they remain a benchmark. I knew that if we finished ahead of La Dea, we’d have a good chance of Champions League qualification, because for eight years Roma had always finished behind Atalanta.”

How does it feel to meet La Dea as an opponent?

“Like a lover seeing his ex again. But we broke up at the right time,” he said.

“I was at risk of becoming stagnant; Roma gave me new goals. I’m happy here.”

How about the Scudetto contenders?

“Milan had a good transfer window; Juve will benefit from Spalletti’s long-term work; Napoli have the strength of an excellent squad. Como and Atalanta have grown. We need to consolidate our position at the top and improve in clashes with the big teams. Then we’ll see.”

LECCE, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Head coach of US Lecce Eusebio Di Francesco with head coach of AS Roma Gian Piero Gasperini during the Serie A match between US Lecce and AS Roma at Stadio Via del Mare on August 31, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) Who is the potential surprise in Serie A?

“Udinese, they can climb a lot.”

Lastly, how does it feel to back in the Champions League?

“An opportunity to get to know ourselves. We already know we can compete in Italy; now we’ll find out if we can in Europe too,” Gasp concluded.

“The international experience of Balerdi and De Roon will be an extra help. Anyway, for us, it will be a starting point.”