On this edition of Young Stars Of Italian Football, I breakdown @acffiorentina owned @Joshua_Perez26, who's currently on loan at @LivornoCalcio https://t.co/R6GtGBUgQS⚽🇺🇸 #USMNT @WorldFootballi @ussoccer_mnt @FiorentinaNow @Viola_Nation @scot_munroe @Marcotti @FTC_21— Richard Kharman (@R_Kharman) December 15, 2017
Two reasons 1) Livorno are way out in front in Serie C-A, nine points clear with a vastly superior goal difference. No coach is going to change things around in that situation. 2) no.1 is reinforced by the fact that there are three Serie C divisions, and only the winner goes straight up. The remaining promotion place - if there is one - will be decided by some insanely complicated and therefore stress-inducing formula. If Joshua gets PT when the main man in his position isn't injured/suspended, then the coach gets a shitload of, well, shit poured on his head night, noon and morning. Italians take their calcio extremely seriously and Livorno is a small place (physically as well as population), so don't expect him to get much PT until promotion has been sealed or the squad gets depleted. That's not necessarily an out-and-out bad thing: he's fighting for PT in a successful side so some good habits are rubbing off on him, and the coach has a very good track record. Part of development at his stage.
It's not insanely complicated, just insanely huge. There's a 28 team playoff across the three Serie C divisions for the fourth promotion slot. So yeah - earn that automatic promotion slot, please.
On the bench... up 2-1 in the 43rd minute. Ecco gli 1⃣1⃣ per questo ultimo match di andata 🆚 @PiacenzaCalcioUna grande novità in questa formazione titolare... Scopriamola insieme!👇👇👇#LivPia 💪 #comBattiLivorno pic.twitter.com/Op2BkofeO9— AS Livorno Calcio (@LivornoCalcio) December 18, 2017
Played the final 15' as Livorno traveled to Gavorrano and won 2 - 4 in Italy Serie C Livorno now 11 points clear at the top - aiming for automatic promotion to Serie B
Played the final few minutes in a 2 - 0 win - Livorno now 12 points ahead at top of table, look to be a lock for Serie B next season
I know we’ve been a little disappointed with this loan, but I think it’s a good sign that Perez is still making appearances. Livorno are winning without him, and he’s just a loanee, so it says a lot that he’s still getting on the field.
Big question is whether he can get a few starts in the spring and make enough of an impact to get into the first team at Fiorentina. He's a dangerous winger with a refined and powerful left foot. League action resumes for Livorno on Jan. 21.— scuffed (@scuffedpod) January 2, 2018
Nothing exciting, but it is nice to actually see him on the field. The other game up but didn’t see JP so not posting here.
Further down that thread... these highlights from a cup match in late November are a good reminder of what he's capable of pic.twitter.com/8PZOzYjJUu— scuffed (@scuffedpod) January 2, 2018
Some nice perspective provided by fiorentina.it who regularly track the progress of their loanees. In 279 minutes in all competitions during the first half of the season Josh made three decisive assists. http://www.fiorentina.it/da-castrov...giovani-in-prestito-tra-promossi-e-rimandati/
168' total in Serie C, the rest in Coppa. Under two full games for half a season in a third division is not that good for a 19 year old, to be honest.
That doesn’t look that bad. Three assists in just over three games worth of minutes. A regular 70 minute sub for a team that is running away with division. Not many Americans have achieved that before their 20th birthday. Hopefully, he gets more minutes in the second half of the season and his club is happy with his progress.