AS Roma Permanently Signs Donyell Malen After Strong Performance

May 16, 2026, 21:51

Introduction

AS Roma has decided to pay €25 million to permanently sign Dutch forward Donyell Malen. His performance has improved greatly since he joined the club on loan from Aston Villa in January 2025.

Main Body

The move from Aston Villa to AS Roma shows a clear difference in how Malen was used and his results on the pitch. At Aston Villa, Malen was mostly a substitute player in Unai Emery's system, which focused on high-pressure defending and complex team movements. Consequently, he only scored 10 goals and provided two assists in 46 games. In contrast, Gian Piero Gasperini's tactics at Roma gave Malen more freedom and a regular place in the starting lineup. This change caused a huge increase in his efficiency, as he scored 14 goals and four assists in just 18 matches, making him one of the best players in Serie A. Team members and experts have also praised his progress. Roma vice-captain Bryan Cristante emphasized that Malen's success is due to his calmness and skill inside the penalty area. Furthermore, analyst René van der Gijp asserted that Malen's current form makes him the best choice for the Netherlands' attack at the 2026 World Cup. While Roma now focuses on qualifying for the Champions League, Aston Villa is left with a shortage of attacking players for the 2026/27 Europa League, which suggests they may have managed the player poorly.

Conclusion

Donyell Malen has now signed a permanent contract with Roma, leaving Aston Villa with a weaker attack.

Learning

⚡ The 'Logic Bridge': Moving Beyond 'And' and 'But'

At the A2 level, we usually connect ideas with simple words like and, but, or so. To reach B2, you need Connectors of Contrast and Result. These make your English sound professional and organized.

🔍 Spotlight: The Power Shift

Look at how the text compares Malen's two clubs. Instead of saying "He was bad at Villa but good at Roma," the author uses:

"In contrast..." $\rightarrow$ $\to$ Used to show a direct opposite.
- Example: "At Villa, he was a substitute. In contrast, at Roma, he started the games."
"Consequently..." $\rightarrow$ $\to$ A sophisticated way to say "because of this" or "so."
- Example: "He was a substitute player. Consequently, he only scored 10 goals."
"Furthermore..." $\rightarrow$ $\to$ Use this when you want to add a stronger point to your argument, not just a simple addition.
- Example: "He is calm. Furthermore, he is the best choice for the World Cup."

🛠️ B2 Upgrade Table

Instead of (A2)...	Try this (B2)...	Why?
And	Furthermore	It adds academic weight.
But	In contrast	It highlights a specific difference.
So	Consequently	It shows a clear cause-and-effect.

💡 Pro Tip for Fluency

Notice that these B2 words often appear at the start of a sentence, followed by a comma. This creates a natural pause, giving you time to think about your next point while sounding like a native speaker.

Vocabulary Learning

permanently (adv.)

For all future time; not temporary.

Example:Malen signed a permanently contract with Roma, meaning he will stay for the long term.

performance (n.)

The way in which someone or something works or behaves.

Example:His performance on the field was outstanding after the move.

improved (v.)

Made better; increased in quality or quantity.

Example:The player's skills improved after the intensive training.

substitute (n.)

A player who takes the place of another during a game.

Example:Malen was mostly a substitute player in many matches at Aston Villa.

system (n.)

A set of connected parts working together to achieve a goal.

Example:The team's system emphasized quick passing and coordinated movement.

high-pressure (adj.)

Under intense or demanding pressure.

Example:The defenders were required to maintain a high-pressure stance on the field.

defending (v.)

Protecting one's goal or area from the opponent.

Example:Defending the goal is crucial for a successful match.

complex (adj.)

Consisting of many interconnected parts or elements.

Example:The play involved complex tactics that required precise timing.

tactics (n.)

Planned strategies or methods used to achieve a specific objective.

Example:The coach's tactics were innovative and kept the opponents guessing.

efficiency (n.)

The ability to achieve a result with minimal waste of time or resources.

Example:His efficiency on the pitch improved dramatically after the change in coaching.