In August 2024, OM recruited Jonathan Rowe from Norwich City for 14.5 million euros. A wish from Roberto De Zerbi, who saw in him an ideal profile for his playing system. During his first season in Marseille, Rowe showed flashes, particularly and especially against OL. But he never managed to establish himself as an indisputable starter. And for his second season, the arrival of Igor Paixao, recruited for 30 million euros, had further reduced his chances. But everything really changed during the first Ligue 1 match in Rennes (0-1). In the locker room, an altercation broke out with Rabiot and it was described as violent by De Zerbi, Benatia and Longoria. In the process, OM placed the two players on the transfer list. Rowe immediately joined Bologna for 17 million euros.
In Italy, the first months are anything but simple. An injury against Naples deprived him of several weeks just as he was starting to find his feet. Rowe himself makes no secret of these difficulties. “It wasn’t easy to understand the style of play, and it took the coach a little longer to fully integrate me into the team. But I continued to work hard to earn my place”he confided to Corriere della Sera. Vincenzo Italiano had, however, always shown his confidence in his player. “I am convinced that he still has a lot to show. He has a good long shot and knows how to be decisive. With more confidence he will really show what he is capable of, because in training he plays like a top footballer”declared the Bologna coach at the microphone of Sky Sports last December. And he clearly wasn’t wrong.
A difficult adaptation, then the click
In his last six matches, Rowe has 4 goals and 2 assists, including a goal and two assists against AS Roma in the Europa League, before doing it again against Cremonese in Serie A on April 5. A rhythm that is starting to amaze everyone in Italy. “It’s the best moment since I arrived in Bologna. Italiano and I are starting to understand each other a lot better. Time favors complicity and a good relationship. With him, the attackers feel free in the final third”Rowe explained recently. With 1.7 successful dribbles per game, the best ratio in his team and an offensive efficiency that continues to grow, Rowe has become one of the most exciting players of this Bologna team, which is preparing to face Aston Villa in the quarter-final second leg of the Europa League.
During the first leg, he was again excellent and found the fault at the end of the match to keep his team alive (3-1 defeat). Enough to make OM regret a little obviously. The Marseille club certainly has a small percentage for resale, but Rowe, at 22, shows that he certainly had the qualities to be a long-term player with Marseille. But the person concerned has no regrets about his adventure in France. “Everything in life happens for a reason. This episode brought me to where I am”he confided a few weeks ago. And Bologna are rubbing their hands with the English striker who is one of the great architects of his great season in Serie A and the Europa League.
