Sources confirm @PBrennanENQ's scoop: FC Cincinnati sign American forward Nicholas Gioacchini on loan from Serie A side Como. @willhansonmls reported talks as well.Gioacchini, 24, returns to MLS after departing St. Louis in January. pic.twitter.com/Q3xBV9FjY8— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) August 15, 2024
He occupies a DP spot - which I found surprising. The loan is just through the end of the MLS season but it really does not seem like he's in the plans at Como. Niko Gioacchini is #AllForCincy. 🔸🔹The Club has acquired Niko Gioacchini on loan from Como 1907 of the Italian Serie A through the end of the 2024 MLS Season.— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) August 15, 2024
How are we ever going to get Como into the thread title now? Nicholas Gioacchini at FC Cincinatti (olf Como - Serie A)
I think he was probably enticed by the whole Como “project” which ironically feels very similar to Venezia. I’m certainly no expert in their project and really know very little but the few times I’ve read things it seemed similar. Even felt a little directionless. Evident by the whole Cesc Fabregas being in some sort of front office role and twice stepping in a being interim manager, then saying no I don’t want to be the permanent manager and now he is the manager.
His whole move to Como seemed weird from day one. When he was linked to the Como deal, the club had a bunch of good forwards (Alessandro Gabrielloni, Patrick Cutrone, Simon Verdi) already on the team. Then you think, okay, maybe they're trying to move one of them. Then you read quotes saying that they weren't selling any of their existing forwards. Then, you think that Gioacchini was one for next season. But then, literally less than 48 hours after Gioacchini's transfer was announced by Como, the club goes out and buys another forward in Jean-Pierre Nsame who was a top scorer in Switzerland. Then just before the window, they add yet another forward in Gabriel Strefezza. This move never felt right. He was buried at Como before he even started. They just gave him a few token minutes here and there in games that were already decided. I haven't spoken with Niko, but my guess is that the situation at Como was not what he was expecting.
Great insight and perspective as usual, Brian. I bet you’re spot on. Also….. shrewd of piece of business for FCC with, rightfully, kicked to the curb, Niko goes right into the XI and I think fits FCC alike a glove. I expect him to hit the ground running. While I’d love to see stay in Europe, FCC looks like the perfect situation.
The thing to watch with the move to FCC is Kevin Kelsy. He's at FCC on loan but Cincy has a huge $7 million option to buy. When Kelsy first arrived at Cincy, he made a great first impression and I thought the club hit a gold mine. But lately, he's been drifting out of the XI. With Niko arriving on loan, Cincy might be leaning against buying Kelsy. Niko and Kelsy are different forwards, Niko is more mobile and Kelsy is a big body. Not sure, but I just don't see how bringing Niko into the mix at Cincy reflects well for Kelsy.
Agree. I kinda had a similar thought. Kelsy has shown some inconsistencies after that fast start. Cincy may be thinking is that potential $7M purchase worth it. Are those inconsistencies growing pains or a career pattern? Tough decision. Niko providing a different look, scoring goals and showing consistency will probably make that an easy decision for FCC.
“New manager”,seems to be the trend, too. More often than not, new manager and not in plans go hand-in-hand. Like peanut butter and jelly,
so Como made money then? if so, messed up way to do things.....buy players like commodities, and flip them without any intention of actually playing them?
tessman did it to himself...too much interest from other clubs is not a bad thing cappis, araujo, turner are a few others (novakovich? so far off the radar... he shouldnt count) mckennie is curious...but new coach,...big turnover there..... otoh, players like weah, reyna, ledezma seem to have been brought in from the cold with as many yanks as are now in europe....theres always gonna be a few cases like weston and tanner etc..... percentage-wise, its a very small number and not nearly a "trend"
This is a remarkable article. Imagine being described as a, "Plan Z." I can't remember ever reading a quote about an incoming player like that in all my time following soccer.
Especially when you can imagine that Plan X is the team's most promising ballboy and Plan Y is the coach's pre-teen nephew. On the plus side, I'll always feel better now about being called someone's Plan B or even Plan C.