Roma’s forward line has been the most debated topic among the fan base this season. We’ve got options — arguably more than we’ve had in years — but consistency has been elusive. Some nights the attack clicks and we look capable of competing with anyone. Other nights it’s like watching strangers try to play together for the first time.

So let’s look at who’s done what. Not vibes, not potential, not what we hoped they’d do. Actual output.

The Striker Question

Abraham has had his critics all season, and some of the criticism is fair. His touch can be heavy. He misses chances that a top-level centre forward should bury. Against Monza in January, he had three clear opportunities and converted zero. That’s the kind of performance that sticks in your memory.

But the broader picture is more nuanced. He’s scored 11 goals in 27 appearances, which puts him on pace for roughly 15 by season’s end. That’s not elite, but it’s respectable. More importantly, his hold-up play has improved noticeably since October. He’s winning 54% of his aerial duels, and his ability to bring others into play — laying the ball off for runners, occupying centre-backs to create space — adds value that doesn’t show up in the goal column.

His xG (expected goals) sits at 12.3 according to Understat, meaning he’s slightly underperforming his chances. Not dramatically so, but there’s a gap between what he should score and what he does score. Whether that gap is bad finishing or bad luck depends on which chances you look at. I’d say it’s roughly 60/40 finishing to luck.

Belotti has been the backup option and has done fine in that role without ever making a compelling case for starting regularly. Six goals in 14 appearances, mostly as a substitute, is decent. He works hard, presses intelligently, and offers something different from Abraham — he’s more mobile, better in transition, less effective as a target man.

The problem with Belotti is that he’s 32 and his best days are behind him. He’s a solid Serie A striker at this stage of his career, not a difference-maker. Which is fine as a second option, but Roma probably need to find a longer-term solution before next season.

The Wide Forwards

This is where things get interesting — and frustrating.

Dybala remains Roma’s most talented attacker. On his day, his left foot can produce moments of genius that nobody else in the squad is capable of. The free kick against Napoli. The dribble and finish against Milan. These are highlights that remind you why Roma signed him.

The “on his day” qualifier is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Dybala has started 19 matches and completed 90 minutes in only seven of them. His body is fragile. Every time he hits form, a muscular injury pulls him out for 2-3 weeks. His per-90 numbers are excellent — 0.58 goals, 0.31 assists, 3.2 progressive carries — but per-90 numbers are misleading when a player can’t actually play 90 minutes consistently.

There’s also the contract situation. Dybala’s wages are significant, and Roma face a decision this summer about whether to extend. I love watching him play but I can’t argue with the logic that paying top wages to a player who’s available for 60% of matches is economically questionable.

El Shaarawy is the opposite profile. He’s always available, always honest, and rarely spectacular. He provides defensive work rate on the left flank, tracks back diligently, and offers decent crossing. His two goals and four assists this season are modest but his defensive contribution justifies his selection in matches where Roma expect to be under pressure.

At 33, he’s playing a veteran squad role competently. Nobody’s complaining about El Shaarawy, which is both his strength and his limitation. You want players who provoke strong reactions — love or frustration means they’re trying things that matter. Quiet competence is valuable but it doesn’t win you titles.

The Emerging Options

The player who’s excited me most this season is the academy forward De Angelis, who I wrote about recently. He’s only had cameo appearances but his movement in the box is instinctive. At 18, he’s years away from being a regular starter, but his trajectory is promising.

What Roma have lacked across the forward line isn’t individual quality — it’s combinations. The best attacks in Europe have forwards who understand each other’s movement instinctively. Liverpool’s front line, Bayern’s interchangeable attackers, Real Madrid’s chemistry between their forwards. Roma’s attackers often look like individual talents playing in proximity rather than a cohesive unit.

That’s partly a coaching issue (patterns of play in the final third need to be drilled repeatedly) and partly a personnel issue (when your best attacker is injured every third week, you can’t build understanding). Transfermarkt data shows Roma have used 14 different forward combinations this season in terms of starting trios. That’s too many. Consistency of selection produces consistency of performance.

What Needs to Change

If I’m being brutally honest, Roma need one more forward who combines quality and availability. Someone in the 24-27 age range who can play across the front line, stay fit for 35+ matches, and contribute 12-15 goals and 8-10 assists. That profile exists across European football, but it’s expensive.

The alternative is betting on development — trusting that De Angelis and other young options will mature quickly enough to reduce the reliance on aging or injury-prone options. That’s a risk, but it’s the kind of risk Roma’s financial situation might force.

For now, this forward group is good enough for top-six Serie A football but probably not good enough for Champions League qualification. That’s the gap Roma need to close, and the summer window is where they need to close it.