Rebuilding The Azzurri for Euro 2024 and beyond

How so? Zaniolo isn't a Roman and didn't come up through their system. He was never shy about being a Juve fan either.

Baggio went from Vicenza to Fiorentina to Juve, etc. etc. in the 80's and 90's. So I don't know where you're getting that. Good players moved around all the time. Maldini's and Totti's were the exceptions.

 

If you take a look at the transfer market regarding the top Italian teams and Italian talents:

1. Inter: Signed Bellanova. Good signing for him and a massive step up. Inzaghi rotated his right wingbacks this year between Dumphries and Darmian so no reason why Bellanova won't see the field. Other than that I don't see much going on. The return of Lukaku means that there won't be room for Scamacca. At the same time they're shopping Pinamonti. There were talks that they were looking at Udogie, but they never materialized. Esposito is being sent on loan to f'n Anderlect. Not one team in both Serie A & B requested him.

2. Milan: Milan's core squad remains intact. The signing of Origi also means that the door to Scamacca is closed. Pobega returns from loan who can be very useful but Milan still don't consider him a Kessie replacement. They're still waiting to see what will happen with Renato Sanches. Right now it's looking like he'll be a #2 for the player they sign for the 3/4's spot, or a sub for Tonali. In defense, there were rumors that Sampdoria were asking Milan for Gabbia, but Pioli wants him to stick around. Good sign but not really. Gabbia is currently the 4-5th defender on this team. At Samp maybe he's a starter. Then there is the issue of right wing. Milan are looking for a fuoriclasse with experience. They were discussing Zaniolo (who would be great in that position) but it looks like Zaniolo is heading to Juve.

3. Juve: Juve can't sign Zaniolo outright and will try to add a player to the deal to convince Roma. I do see Zaniolo as a player of the type Allegri likes, but I don't see where he fits in to his formation. Juventus have 3 young technical mids on the roster in Rovella, Fagioli and Miretti that they are all non Allegri types. One of them might be inserted in the Zaniolo deal, but remains to be seen what Mourinho wants. Juve have also signed Cambiaso from Genoa and now they are looking to immediately loan him out, possibly to Sassuolo. They are also looking to sell Pellegrini or insert him in other transfer deals. Other than these, the only other possibly Italian incoming might be Berardi but he is lower on the list of priorities.

4. Napoli: The only good news is that Zerbin and Gaetano return from loan. But with our ownership and DS, you never know. They could be loaned out 1 day before the transfer market closes. Zanoli is confirmed as Di Lorenzo's #2. Napoli could possibly come in for Scamacca but that's only if Osimhen is sold. By then I think it will be too late.

 

There is no telling how successful he will be, but playing for Juve is a step up in terms of prestige and pressure. He will also be playing in the CL which is exactly where Italian talents need to be playing. Roma know that Zaniolo is not committed to them long term and will run out his contract if he sees a better opportunity. So it's completely understandable that they will seek to sell him now.

Also Zaniolo isn't exactly being valorized at Roma under Mourinho. Yes he had good games in the conference league, but playing up top in a 3-5-2 as a support striker is not his best position. There were many games this year where watching Roma almost gave me an ulcer. I'm not saying that Allegri will be better with him, but he does fit the mold of a player Allegri likes (tall, physical, running)

Another thing is that a coach needs to determine what Zaniolo's best position is. I see him good at Milan in their 4-2-3-1 on the right side 3.

 

Milan won the scudetto with a gaping hole in their right wing. If Zaniolo can’t do better than Saladmakers, Messias and Castillejo he should be dropped from the national team and be considered a bidone forever

 

If you look elsewhere for news concerning Italian talent:

- Frattesi close to Roma

- Pinamonti is pushing for a move to Atalanta. Monza also interested. Fiorentina were interested but it looks like they're going for Jovic. Pinamonti would be the guy in either Florence or Monza. In Atalanta he would play second fiddle to Zapata. But Zapata is starting to get old, and isn't 100% healthy all the time.

- Scamacca is wanted by PSG and Arsenal. At PSG Campos is trying to build a more balanced side compared to Leonardo who was all about making the french version of the galactico's. Scamacca playing with Mbappe would be excellent for him. Wtv he chooses to do, he cannot stay another year at Sassuolo because he is wasting his time. Sassuolo have already programmed his replacement.

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PSG have to unload salary and the rumor is they're trying to offload Neymar. Wtv the case, they don't have a striker on the team who plays like a classic #9. I think it would be a great move for him. If it doesn't work out, he comes back to Italy.

There are also rumors that Kean also wants to go back to Paris.

 

There is none.

 

Cancellieri is on his way to Lazio. Excellent signing for them as they were looking for a real right winger. Very curious to see how he does under Sarri