Felix Afena-Gyan’s fairytale continues, with a new chapter opening on Wednesday, following the announcement that he’s penned a new deal that would keep him on the books of AS Roma until 2026.
Roma manager Jose Mourinho – a very difficult man to impress, especially if you’re a teenager seeking a breakthrough – sanctioned the move, ensuring Afena-Gyan gets to continue his development at the club which took a chance on bringing him straight from his homeland, Ghana, only last year.
“I am really pleased to have signed this contract,” the 19-year-old said, shortly after putting pen to paper.
“Ever since I arrived at this club, my aim was to reach the first team, and since I did that my life has changed a lot. Now I need to just concentrate on continuing to improve; I am motivated to start the new season in the best possible way.”
Where he’d have that start, though, is a matter of concern.
Afena-Gyan was used rather sparingly by Mourinho last season, although he really couldn’t have asked for more action than he saw. He had begun the season in Roma’s youth ranks, before being invited – along with some of his junior-level colleagues – by Mourinho to make the step up.
Two vital goals – one of which would take pride of place on his career highlight reel – against Genoa in November 2021 didn’t hurt his reputation at all, instead marking Afena-Gyan out as a special one. But it also subjected him to a spotlight of such intensity that he’s struggled to handle in subsequent games, and the boy hasn’t quite kicked on as expected.
For his country, Ghana, however, Afena-Gyan has made good progress. His debut, in March, may have been a baptism of fire, as Ghana hosted fierce rivals Nigeria in the first of two tense 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff games, but he passed the test, ultimately helping the Black Stars book a ticket to Qatar.
Not quite three months later, in Ghana’s next assignment, Afena-Gyan would make his maiden international goal-scoring contributions, grabbing a goal and an assist in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar. He’s earned his place in Otto Addo’s squad now, surely, and quite likely in the World Cup-bound contingent.
Afena-Gyan would have to make sure of that, however, by continuing on an upward trajectory between now and December, when the quadrennial showpiece comes around. That would mean playing more regularly, a provision he isn’t yet guaranteed in the Eternal City with Roma.
The Giallorossi have brought in a new goalkeeper, defender and midfielder this summer, but the club is yet to reinforce in offensive positions. They probably will, with just a little less than two months to go before the current transfer window shuts, but even if that doesn’t happen, the odds still wouldn’t be in Afena-Gyan’s favour.
Tammy Abraham leads the attacking pecking order, with the likes of Eldor Shomurodov, Nicolo Zaniolo and Stephan El Shaarawy all in contention. Zaniolo’s possible exit could ease Afena-Gyan’s path a little, but Roma won’t easily part with the prized, prodigious Italian forward.
The prospect of taking in a first full term as a Roma senior is tempting, but far healthier for Afena-Gyan might be a temporary stint at a Serie A club where opportunities to play won’t be as scarce.
His agent, Oliver Arthur, doesn’t disagree.
“It’s something that can happen but, at this moment, it’s not something we have gone deep into,” Arthur told Radio Gold Sports.
“If the club also thinks that he needs more experience, then we go forward. He is young and we are open to anything that brings his development.”
If a decision is arrived at to farm him out, Afena-Gyan won’t lack takers. Serie A returnees Lecce are reportedly interested, and the queue would only grow longer should Roma put the word out that they’re ready to field offers for the highly-rated Ghanaian.
Wherever he ends up – if, indeed, he does end up anywhere but the Olimpico – however, trust that Mourinho will be monitoring, even as the immediate steps that could eventually lead Afena-Gyan to the level of maturity matching his talents are pondered.
