Yeah, just taking a quick look at their Euro roster, they only had 3 guys outside of Serie A--Donnarumma at PSG, Jorginho at Arsenal, and backup GK Vicario at Spurs. So, in that context, it seems weird to call him up. On the other hand, he played in every EPL game for Burnley last season as a 19-year-old before getting injured, so you could argue he's basically an EPL-level player (at 19) who might very well have gotten a move back to an EPL team if he were healthy.
Its still weird even with that in mind. The thing is most of us have never seen such a poor Italian side lacking in depth like this before. The state of the Italian player pool is remarkably bad and calling up wingers from the Championship is a symptom of that. They should have a dozen options (at least) from across the Top 5 leagues competing for the wing spots.
When 50% of teams are owned by foreigners? And falling? When cheap, sorry less expensive, alternatives are brought in from the Balkans and Africa? I'm surprised they can still put out an 11. If all those trends reversed, Italy would be QF and beyond at every tournament.
Italy is definitely down I think compared to historical standards and relative to England, France, Germany, or Spain. But still more talented than the US.
OK, so did a quick check upthread. Seems like he does have an EU Passport (this is Espanyol and his agent at work). Which means absolutely nothing when picking who to commit to, just to answer my own earlier question.
As long as he stays fit, he'll be back in the Prem next September. The only question is whether it's with Burnley or some other side. Before the injury he was one one of the few Burnley players who had got to grips with the league's demands and could make an impact in attack. The same player will tear up the Championship's lesser sides. Do that to Leeds, Norwich, Boro, West Brom, etc. and they'll have considerable difficulty keeping hold of him in December.
Might be in the EPL even sooner than next season: https://www.expressandstar.com/spor...8/24/wolves-in-talks-for-championship-winger/ Wolves are in talks to sign Burnley winger Luca Koleosho before the end of the transfer window.
FWIW, Willy Gnoto has been Capped by the Italy Senior team before. Italy U21 have 2 important Qualifiers in September so I imagine he stays with them.
Wolves should buy all yhe Ameri ans who appear to be better than the Championsip: Aaronson, Sargent, Haji, maybe Trusty.
Koleosho with the start and 80 frankly weak minutes in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn. Lost roughly all of his challenges. Someone's irritated he didn't get sold, it appears. 40 mm pounds was too much for Wolves.
Signed an extension: We are delighted to confirm that Luca Koleosho has signed a new five-year contract running until 2029 at Turf Moor 📝The 19-year-old becomes the second player this week to sign a new contract, after it was announced yesterday that Josh Cullen extended his stay with the Club.— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) September 10, 2024
Securing the transfer fee that'll drop in the next 18-24 months Giving him certainty so he can concentrate on his development
Glad to see it. Having a year in the Championship could be ideal for his development after coming back from a long-term injury. He should be back in the PL next season either through a Burnley promotion or a transfer to another PL side. He looks very American to me. Maybe a coach like Poch can win him over.
He scored an absolutely beautiful solo goal on a 70 yard run when Solomon slipped and he drove down field without hesitation and hit a nice low post shot past the Leeds keeper. Poch, pick up that phone and give the man a buzz. Marsch ain’t for this guy!