Italians Abroad [R]

So, you know of whom I speak?

 

Here another talented Italian guy from abroad (his new manager is the former top BL striker Bruno Labbadia, whose parents are both Italians as well).

http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/spieler/6287/caligiurimarco/aufeinenblick.html

Let's see if he'll become the new Giovanni Federico (now Dortmund) of the 2nd German league (he's a more defensive player though)...


Buona notte.

 

Fabio Grosso is officially a Lyon player.

 

Also, Udinese keeper Morgan De Sanctis has rescinded his contract and has signed with Sevilla of La Liga.

 

I wonder if this will benefit his career. Surely anything is better than a bench role at Inter, but i wonder if this will hurt his chances with the national team.

 

I think he will do well in Ligue 1, but we will have to see if Donadoni follows him. Already he prefers the combo of Zambrotta/Oddo, so we'll have to see if Grosso is called up or he brings in some new reserve fullbacks.

 

It pains me to see good Italian talent going to different leagues in order to ply their trade..

 

It's a real shame no one in Italy made an offer for him. Napoli could have really used his services! We're looking for a good left back. Also, i could see him playing in Milan. I rate him higher than Jankulovski.

 

Would have liked to see him back at Palermo, we need a set piece taker now that Corini's gone. But Grosso is ambitious, I suppose Lyon makes sense because he wants to win trophies and compete in the champions league while being a starter for the team, which he can be now that they've sold Abidal.

 

Rolando Bianchi is reportedly close to signing with Manchester City on a 13 million Euro transfer.

 

I hope city sign some creative midfielders, otherwise Bianchi will be useless. Like a gun with no bullets.

 

That's a decent fee for him

 

I don't know, Jankulovski is a very good player. I think Grosso just had a good world cup and is still making money off of that. He was the right person, in the right place, at the right time at the world cup. Though the run in the australia game was exceptional.

How many italians speak english? I only know people in my family and don't know many actual italian people so I have no idea what a percentage would be.

Honestly, the english game allows for you to not have creative center mids. The most screaming example of a non-creative center mid is Lampard who flourishes in the EPL. It would be more dependent on Bianchi's wingers to get the ball to him through crosses than anything else.

 

Grosso -- Class

 

Absolutely. Don't want to take this too far off topic, but they've been showing replays of all the Italia WC06 games on Sky here. Grosso's two WC goals are such beauties, combining skill and strength and unimaginable cold-blooded marksmanship. Two pure masterpieces.

 

In a shock move, Cristiano Lucarelli has signed for Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donestk, who were in the Champions League last year.

also, Bianchi got the #10 at Man City.

 

A lot of Italians compared to previous years are moving abroad.

 

Why not ?It's an European Union after all.

 

I predict that Lucarelli will score in the boatloads in the Ukraine. Let's hope for a third Italian in a row winning the European Golden Shoe! (although the coefficient for the Ukrainian league probably sucks so even if you score 50 you probably wouldn't even win...)

 

While Lucarelli may suffer from a culture shock in Donetsk, Shakhtar President Rinat Akmnetov has revealed that he will be immediately appointing the No 99 as club captain.

I guess he makes good first impressions?

 

ex-Cagliari midfielder/striker Andrea Capone looks set to sign a contract with Celtic tomorrow. I've always thought of Capone as a decent player with good technical ability and skill, but nothing special.

 

Stefano Sorrentino joins Spanish team Recreativo huelva

 

Azzurri U-21 Graziano Pellè has signed up with Netherlands club AZ Alkhen, (butchered spelling for sure,) regulars in the UEFA Cup.

 

Az Alkmaar? That's the team that has that ex-Barca coach, can't remember his name. Van-something I think it's a good move for Pelle, it's a step up from serie B, and I think Alkmaar was challenging for the top spot last time round, so if the team does well a champions league run for him could be on the cards in a few seasons.

Edit: Blasi and Chiellini have been linked with moves to Man City as well, and I think (from what i've read) it looks likely, with Sven prepared to offer 10mill for Chiellini and the Blasi deal apparently almost concluded. Can't wait to watch the prem next seaosn, there'll be alot of Italians running around for a change. Bianchi, Blasi, Chiellini, Corradi, Rossi (hopefully).. looks good.