Artem Dovbyk has admitted he still wants to prove himself at Roma despite an inconsistent first spell with the Giallorossi that has fueled speculation over his future.
The Ukrainian striker arrived from Girona in the summer of 2024 after winning La Liga’s Pichichi Trophy, but injuries and inconsistent form have limited his impact in the Italian capital. Dovbyk has scored 20 goals in 63 appearances for Roma, a return that has fallen short of the expectations that surrounded his arrival.
Speaking candidly about life at the club, Dovbyk praised the passion of Roma supporters.
“Roma always fills the stadium. Lazio doesn’t. There are 70,000 fans every game, regardless of the opponent. The fans are fantastic. If you score and the team wins, you’re the best in Europe. If I score, especially at the Olimpico, I’m happy.”
The striker also explained why he rarely celebrates his goals with emotion.
“I don’t know, that’s just the way I am. Maybe it’s my subconscious that keeps me from throwing up my hands and saying, ‘Hey, it’s me.’”
Looking back on his transfer to Italy, Dovbyk revealed that he turned down another European giant after speaking with Daniele De Rossi.
“I could have gone to Atlético Madrid, but when I spoke to De Rossi, I chose Roma. I felt a unique connection with him. I trusted him blindly.”
He also paid tribute to the former Roma coach, adding:
“He’s a club legend, like Totti.”
Reflecting on last season, Dovbyk contrasted the spells under Ivan Juric and Claudio Ranieri.
“With Juric, we lost everything. With Ranieri, we emerged from the tunnel, step by step.”
Now working under Gian Piero Gasperini, the striker says he is embracing the demands of his new coach.
“There’s a lot of running, with and without the ball. Malinovskyi told me, ‘No one’s ever died.’ And it’s true.”
Despite ongoing transfer speculation, Dovbyk made it clear he has not given up on succeeding at Roma.
“I don’t like leaving things unfinished. Leaving in the summer is one thing, leaving in January is another. Overall, I want to see if there’s room for me at Roma.”
He also disclosed that Milan explored a move for him before he joined Roma.
“Last August I could have gone to Milan, but it was difficult to complete everything in just a few days. I didn’t want to leave things half done.”
With Gasperini preparing for his first season in charge, Dovbyk’s future remains uncertain, but the Ukrainian insists he is determined to fight for his place and finish what he started in the capital.
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