The Argentine has played two consecutive matches as a starter: something that hasn’t happened since May. The new coach has placed him back at the core of Roma and the extension of the contract, which ends in June, can no longer be ruled out. The season of Leandro Paredes has now begun. The Argentine midfielder is making a comeback at the heart of Roma. Ranieri is seeking balance and appears to have found it with him paired with Manu Koné. However, a salary cut is needed. In London, in tandem with Atalanta, accompanied by Cristante. Indeed, in these last two matches (he didn’t play in Naples), the Giallorossi have shown significant signs of recovery, offering two of the best seasonal games, especially considering the opponent. Paredes played both games as a starter and for a full 90 minutes, something he hadn’t experienced since May against Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen. “I’ve had two very difficult months,” he admitted in a press conference after the match against Atalanta on Monday. Not coincidentally, the former Juve player found himself on the fringes of the Roma squad prior to Ranieri’s arrival, steeping onto the pitch as a starter just twice. The first time was on the 25th of August against Empoli and the beginning of October against Elfsborg. Both ended in defeat, one involving De Rossi and the other with Juric, who just couldn’t see eye to eye with him. Even the relationship with the fans has started to crack, making him one of the most booed players. This was especially the case after he was seen to be giggling with Kean following a 5-1 defeat to Fiorentina side in Florence , a moment that the fans found hard to stomach. It only took three weeks of the Ranieri treatment to reincorporate him into the Roma project and indeed, he seemed like a whole new player in the last two outings, in both phases. Much more attentive and responsive, he also showed improvement in the interdiction phase. With Koné, they can solidify as a starting pair, possibly alternating with Cristante, Pisilli, and maybe Pellegrini, who, however, can play a more advanced role to increase the offensive threat of Roma. Rome, nevertheless, should go towards this type of footballers, more physical and experienced, rather than quick and technical like Soulé, Baldanzi and Le Fée himself. “I’ve always been fixated on Rome; it’s always been this way. I am happy here, satisfied even though I’ve been through two very challenging months. I’ve always had Rome in my thoughts, this city, I enjoy being here, I love Rome and so does my family. “I have never thought about this matter. Only you journalists talk about these things,” Paredes stated staunchly. Even though it’s him who has been speaking for months about a crazy desire to return to his homeland, at almost regular intervals. This also involves Dybala. In any case, the discontent for his situation within the technical project in the capital did the rest. Ranieri may have changed his perspectives, he has certainly done so with “mentality and morale” as the midfielder himself stated. A renewal now may not be such an absurd scenario, but it does come with a few conditions. For instance, a wage cut is currently on the table, fitting ill with the philosophy of the new course that Roma intends to build. Furthermore, the ID card indicating 30 years as of June, is somewhat incompatible with Roma’s philosophy. Leo earns a whopping 4.5 million per season, a significant cut – would be the bare minimum foundation for any potential negotiation. And if he stays in yellow and red till January, the choice will then fall to Claudio Ranieri, along with the new head coach and sporting director Ghisolfi.