Not Thiago Motta Turns out it was the interim manager at Basel, Heiko Vogel, that suggested to Calafiori to switch positions from LB to CB citing a lack of speed. But more than enough speed to play at the CB spot. Lack of speed is not something I expected from him. Would be concerning.
He's fast for a CB average for a LB but if Arsenal uses him as an inverted fullback that is not an issue. We have to look at Califiori as the new Costacurta he can play LB CB CDM probably even RB.
If he does play at LB, something I'm gonna look out for. Especially in the EPL where pace is all the rage. I have to think these conversations took place what Arteta has in mind for him. Jacob Kiwior now rumored to go to Inter. Between Dimarco and Carlos Augusto, seems like overkill at the LWB spot.
Ti devo correggere, Liberali ha giocato un discreto numero di partite in Primavera 1 e in Youth League I have to correct you, Liberali played a fair number of matches in Primavera 1 and in the Youth League https://www.transfermarkt.it/mattia-liberali/leistungsdaten/spieler/988964
Transfer news regarding Italian players: Calafiori to Arsenal is a go. Fiorentina strongly thinking about Colpani again. This is a move that only makes sense if Fiorentina plan to sell Nico Gonzalez. Both players play the same position, both right footers. It would be a shame if Colpani to go to Florence only to do the bench. We need him to be playing. Other minor news: U21 captain Lorenzo Pirola transfers to Olympiacos. The he guy would rather go to the Greek league than play in Serie B.
Colpani could definitely beat out Gonzalez. I thought Gonzalez usually played on the Left anyways. Gonzalez is likely splitting Minutes with Zaniolo who always looks tired after 40 Minutes.
It's depressing as all reading Football Italia. Literally 90% of Italian team transfers involve foreign players. I don't see how this gets better at all without drastic measures. You think Oaktree and whatever hedge fund that now owns Milan gives a crap about bringing in Italian players?
normally i would care more.. but.. i've never been amazed by anything that Pirola brings to the table. Very very average player at best. Seems always a step behind.
C&P out there on an Arsenal fan page. Thought I'd post it here. Had no idea his injury was that severe. (Edited for clarity). “RUSPA” (The Kid Who Never Gave Up) Riccardo Calafiori was only 6 years old when he was scouted by Roma because of his exceptional ability and physique. He was nicknamed “Ruspa” which means “The Bulldozer” by his father because of his playing style at the age of 9 joined the Roma Academy and at the age of 16 signed his first professional contract with Roma. Just when he thought he had achieved his dream, it turned into a nightmare. In October 2018, after he had just won the Italian Youth Cup with the Roma Under-17s, they were to face Viktoria Pozen who was visiting Rome for the UEFA Youth League match. The match was evenly poised at 3-3 late in the second half, Calafiori was with the ball when he was tackled by a Viktoria Pozen player with a high boot on his knee immediately injuring him, leaving him in severe pain. He suffered what was termed, a “Once In A Decade” injury and had to be stretched out. An injury that had first-team Roma players in shock. His dream of playing was over as his best chance was being able to get back on his feet and walk. He suffered a COMPLETE TEAR of ALL the ligaments in his knee. He tore his ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL, and everything was torn. Dzeko held up his jersey when he scored a hat-trick against the Viktoria senior team, his idol De Rossi came to visit him in the hospital, and his teammates too. AS Roma wanted to have his surgery done in Italy but his agent, late Super agent Mino Raiola refused, insisting on him going to the United States. Mino Raiola wanted the surgery to be done by his trusted friend, Dr. Freddie Fu who had successfully operated on Raiola’s other players such as Ibrahimovic. After a lengthy battle with Roma, Raiola had his way and Calafiori was flown to the US with his left leg three times the size of the right one. The doctor told him after the surgery, “You don't have to come back as soon as possible but you must come back the best way possible.” It took him almost 2 years to return to football after such a horrible injury but he found game time difficult to get and after Mourihno signed Matias Vina for the left-back position Calafiori was surplus to requirements. He was sent on loan to Genoa on loan and he made only 3 appearances for the team when Basel came calling, AS Roma sold him for €2.6Million and that's where his story changed. The manager changed Calafiori’s position from left back to the central defense and that was where he flourished the most. “CHANGE IS NOT AN EVENT, IT’S A PROCESS” He made 34 tackles, and 36 interceptions in 24 matches and this brought Bologna and Thiago Motta to his doorstep offering him a route back home. They paid Basel €4M and signed the defender with Motta playing him as a Central Defender and he flourished becoming one of the best central defenders in the Serie A earning him a call-up to the Italian national team. In the Euros, he became the face of the Italian national team which further convinced Premier Club giants Arsenal to splash the cash on the young defender.
oh wow .. the thing that makes me doubt this is his ability on the ball. I really want him to leave PSG just feels like such a waste when players spend for than a few years there.
Casedei excluded from Chelseas summer tour. Fiorentina are interested, shouldn't a Udinese or Parma go after him.
Screw the latter 2. I need Casadei off either of them so I can team so I can hate on them this season. Casadei being left Chelsea's Pre Season Tour likely means Fiorentina are close to acquiring him. This needs to happen.
Gigi Buffon Seems like he wasn't pleased with the "Head of Delegation" role he was given. He met with Gravina and it was agreed his role would be more input on the sporting side of things. Not sure what to make of this other than he wanted a greater role other than to come out at warmups and wave to the crowd for applause. More of a role DDR had with the 2021 team as opposed to the role the late Gigi Riva had in the 90's. This is on him because he needed to understand his role prior to accepting. Either his competitive juices came out or he couldn't stand to sit idly by while Spalletti made a hash of things and unable to speak up.
Can they start by getting Gravina the ******** out? I don't understand how useless people continue to hold onto their jobs.
BS aside, plenty of threads on this site for that topic. IMO, unless Italy gets out of the EU and labor laws change, it won't change.
Casadei is cooked. he's been fried. it's over for him. I wish nothing but decades of failure for Maresca. And he will fail at Chelsea. And he deserves it.
And also, I used to respect Ancelotti greatly, especially in his Parma and Milan days, but he's gutless. Cowardly to have never made yourself available to your country. Keep hiding behind Real Madrid. For that I respect Spalletti 100 fold even if I've disagreed with some of his approach so far.
My Squad for September UNL. Playing a 3-5-2. GK: - Gigio, Vicario, Di Gregorio. Meret hasn't done anything to be dropped but Di Gregorio is just the better GK and a few years younger. Of course some will chalk it up to Juve bias. DEFENDERS: DiMarco, Udogie, Calafiori, Bastoni, Gatti, Cambiaso, Calabria, Bellanova. I really want Samuele Birindelli to draw in and eventually I think he will but for this window I want Calabria as he has a good history against Kylian Mbappé. Even Kvara for that matter. Obviously the likes of Darmian, Acerbi are out forever. Di Lorenzo needs to stay off for a while and let Conte work with him. MIDFIELDERS: - Barella, Frattesi, Fagioli, Sottil, Colpani, Locatelli. Tempted to add Brecianini as well. Want nothing to do with Cristante and Pellegrini from here on out. Jorginho out as well. Locatelli draws back. Want him a #6. Frattesi to not play out of position. Might need another DM. ATTACK: Orsolini, Chiesa, Raspadori, Scamacca, Retegui. Obviously these guys are under criticism. Hard to gage since the season will be 1 or 2 Weeks old. If Pinamonti, Lucca, Cutrone do well as the season progresses then re-evaluate.