The regular Serie A season will reach its halfway stage this weekend when defending champions Roma will host third-placed Fiorentina. They will want to preserve their perfect record of eight wins from eight, which has seen them establish a three-point lead at the top of the standings.

Alessandro Spugna’s side had a memorable campaign last season as they won their first-ever league title to end Juventus’ five-year dominance. A good chunk of their success was attributed to their fantastic transfer business in the summer of 2022, as many of their signings had a crucial instant impact. To name a couple: Valentina Giaciniti ended up as Roma’s top scorer in the league with 13 league goals and Moeka Minami played more minutes than anyone else at the heart of the defense.

Three of Roma’s summer signings have come in and immediately secured a spot in the starting XI.

Saki Kumagai has made the deepest midfield position her own in Roma’s preferred 4-3-3 formation. The Japanese international has been a picture of consistency, connecting her side’s possession-play with secure high-volume passing as well as shielding her defenders with some great defensive work, especially in transition.

The holding midfield position does not usually get a lot of glamour so Kumagai’s performances might have not been the most eye-catching (even though she has already scored three goals in the league), but her importance in this Roma cannot be overstated.

Similarly, Eseosa Aigbogun has quietly been a great addition to the Serie A champions’ back line. She has slotted in very well at right back, playing the role to a tee by offering great ball progression as well as retaining possession through her passing and carrying. Additionally, the Swiss international’s defensive security has proven handy too.

However, the most productive signing so far has to be Evelyne Viens–not just for Roma but arguably all over Roma. The Canadian international has scored eight goals in her first 10 games for her new club, starting most of them either on the left wing or as the lead striker but also doing a great job as an impact substitute if needed.

Viens is doing something similar to what Sophie Román Haug’s role was last season–not being involved much in the buildup play but constantly posing a threat in and around the box. While the Norwegian forward was primarily used as a substitute, Viens’ superior output as well as adaptability to operate on the left have helped her become a regular starter.Her versatility also means that she has been able to help make up for the departure of Brazilian forward Andressa. At the rate she is going, Viens is giving Giacinti a real run for her money as the team’s main goalscorer.

Beyond just improving the starting XI, a football club must also look to strengthen their squad depth these days at a time when they have to balance multiple competitions at the same time. Roma have done well in this respect too this summer.

Laura Feiersinger might be feeling that she has not been given as much playing time as she would have expected when leaving Eintracht Frankfurt, but regardless of whether she goes on to establish herself as a regular starter or continues to function as the first-choice midfielder off the bench, there can be no doubts surrounding her quality. The Austrian international showed excellent well-roundedness in the German Bundesliga last season, meaning she should be able to do a job in almost any midfield role for Roma.

Some other shrewd signings include Spanish attacker Bárbara Latorre, who is doing a great job with a goal and three assists to her name in all competitions, often appearing off the bench. Having started just two matches for Atlético Madrid in Liga F last season, the 30-year-old has already enjoyed more playing time with the Italian champions this season, so this is a move that should make all involved parties happy.

Fellow Spaniard Oihane Valdezate has also looked good as a rotation option at center-back, mostly featuring in matches against significantly weaker opposition so far. At 23 years old, the ex-Athletic Club defender can also be seen as one for the future so having someone like her in the squad is surely something that no coach could complain about.

At the other end of the age spectrum, 37-year-old goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela is showing that she has absolutely still got it having kept three clean sheets in her five matches so far. Besides her saves, though, the Finnish international brings a lot more to the table in terms of experience having played for eight other clubs previously in five different countries.

Clearly, Roma have done a fantastic job in the transfer window once again. It should be no surprise, then, that they have looked the best team in Serie A so far this season having scored more and conceded fewer goals than any of their rivals. Their debut Champions League campaign has also gotten off to a good start as they fought back from two goals down to draw against German champions Bayern Munich, so the Giallorossi look on course for another great season on all fronts.