Results from the last U21 EC. In the match versus France, where Goal Line Technology was not in place, Italy DID score but it was not ruled a goal. Still pictures show it went over. (a picture showed a France player beyond the goal line kicking it out). That Result, I believe a Draw, but should have been an Italy win didn't allow Italy to advance from the Group Stage and subsequently the Olympics. Honestly don't know if Udogie, Calafiori (who IIRC were on that team) would have been released. I know Cancellieri was also on that team. Olympics are a mixed bag of who is allowed to be released and who isn’t. Mbappé was going to play but Madrid squashed it as part of his deal. Meanwhile Argentina have Julian Alvarez, Morocco have Hakimi playing. Some Federations really put emphasis on this competition. IMO, which they should. Go all out in all comps as far as I'm concerned.
Just to clarify, had this goal counted it wouldn't have meant Italy qualified to the Olympics. Only that they would have advanced out of the Group Stage of the U21 2023 EC to the Knockouts. Keep in mind that only 3 Europeam teams (not including the hosts) qualified to the Olympics. Also would have depended on the luck of the Draw. Italy would have played Spain in the QF's, whereas Israel (who are at the Olympics) were drawn against Georgia. https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/com...ven_to_italy_u21_against_france_u21/#lightbox
Casadei Reading the USA side it appears that Tessman will go to Fiorentina. Americans buy Italian clubs and American players follow -- what are the odds? Asking this out of curiosity, between Napoli and Fiorentina, which is a better club for him? Don't even know if Tessman and Casadei would even play in the same position. Best case scenario for level of clubs is going to Napoli. But wouldn't guarantee playing time given they aren't in Europe.
There's only a handful of decent American players. Tessman is one. Don't think he's bothered to learn the language though. 3 years long enough I think.
You have Stockholm Syndrome: Hating on Donnarumma, talking up second-choice Americans. The MLS Capitalist Empire has gotten to you.
Seems like Italy will have to go into the September UNL matches without Chiesa. Given that he is now frozen out of the Juve squad, unless he makes a move soon, we cannot justify his inclusion. Then again Spalletti would have taken Zaniolo to the EC if healthy so you never know. This is gonna end bad. Reminds me of the Dybala saga. I always support the player to get himself paid but just maybe Chiesa has overplayed his hand. - Wants top money. - Has injury issues. - Wants to play in the UCL. So he has rejected Roma, despite Dybala's encouragement to go. Not sure about Napoli. Tottenham interest was strong enough they met his agents, not sure about Arsenal. ManU's name is now popping up. Not sure they are fully committed to going for him, however. Wonder if Spalletti calls in Orsolini. Really don't want to get into this talk again but it is a legitimate talking point. Would Orsolini tell Spalletti where to go? Seems like Juve won't change their mind on this. Maybe only a bad start will have them change their minds and bring him back in.
Do you think Roma would've even been a good fit for Chiesa? They've played a lot of 3-5-2, they have Dybala and now Dovbyk. I don't doubt De Rossi would play him, but where, and does he get to play full 90s? Putting Chiesa's demands aside, I hate how his career is panning out. Lots of wasted time on the mend and in a weird set-up under Allegri. Feels like he's not as good as he was 4 years ago. He should be getting better, not slowly sliding backward. Are The Football Gods not done ruining Italians? Haven't they hurt us, enough?
By the way, @AGomes, Juve had that incredible string of league titles, and now they're trying to get back to that level. Based on where they're at, today, do you think they can be a yearly Top-5 club in Europe in like 10 years, again? (I'm seriously asking. Because it seems like a team like Juve will get back to that level, but it won't happen next year. I figure with Juve owning their stadium they have a financial advantage that will only grow over time, unless the Milan and Rome teams, among others, can modernize their operation. But, today, there's a lot of work.)
I suppose it would have been in the place that DDR plans to play Soulè given that Chiesa was their first target. Last thing this fool needs to do is sign on with ManU or Chelsea. For me, he should go to Villa or Spurs. In some other clubs he will have to be 50% better to usurp the incumbent. Honestly he should go back to Fiorentina. They are selling Nico Gonzalez so why not.
Hard to say. EPL TV contracts around the world have elevated even historically mid PL Clubs. 20 Years ago if you told me Manchester City would be at worst the 2nd best club in the world I would have laughed. I hate seeing Chiesa out.
Maybe since Serie A isn't the old Serie A, Chiesa going from Juve back to Fiorentina isn't in and of itself a backward move. Maybe he'd find his form. And with that current crop of players, Fiorentina could possibly be in UCL by the following season, so Chiesa would be back on the big stage. @indestructible and others have, perhaps yourself (I can't remember), have lamented Berardi staying at a small club. I definitely think there's something to that, and I think there are definite drawbacks to Chiesa returning to Fiorentina. Other big countries are building their national squads off the backs of players at top clubs who are playing the best competition. That's not where Fiorentina is at, so that's not getting Chiesa the reps he needs. He should be one of the best wingers in the world, and playing for a second-tier Serie A team doesn't change his individual skill level, but it feels like he's missing opportunities to elevate his own stature. I don't know if that actually matters, but it feels like it matters. On the other hand, in theory, a great player is still great even if he isn't playing against the best players. Romario was Romario whether he played at PSV, Barcelona, or back home for Flamengo. Baggio didn't turn into a pumpkin just because Ancelotti didn't want him on the team. Chiesa's still in his prime (note: he's not Romario or Baggio). If he decides to spend it at Fiorentina or Juventus, West Ham or Arsenal, does it really matter as long as he's training properly and getting his reps? I don't know. I'm just thinking out loud, and trying to be optimistic. Maybe an unconventional approach would benefit him. Playing for a coach that barely wants him will probably not be good for him.
Fiorentina are not a small club, but not exactly where Chiesa needs to be right now. I think he should take the spurs option if it’s available to him. If Chiesa is the fuoriclasse we all think he is, he has to be willing to to play cards in the premier league.
It wasn't me that had an opinion on Berardi staying at Sassuolo. Clubs in the UCL pretty much have their squad set although now I'm hearing that Arsenal want to bring in Leroy Sane and Sane wants the move. Which would free up a spot for Chiesa to go to Bayern Munich. That would tick all his boxes except don't know if FCB will meet his wage demands. Not sure I understand why Arteta wants Sane when Saka is doing a great job. It is telling that the rumor of Sane to Arsenal has a lot more traction than Chiesa to Arsenal. Wrote it earlier, the best option would have been to stay at Juve, second best Tottenham or Roma. IMO, gotta give Roma credit. I don't like them but they handled things perfectly. The way Motta has come in and made full changes to the squad it will be unrecognizable next month. The only way Chiesa comes out on top is if he gets his bag, joins another UCL Team, and Juve have a bad season, which I expect to happen. Anyways, this does concern Gli Azzurri. I cannot see how Chiesa is called up for September.
Arsenal is just a rich club buying toys, at this point. Arteta wants two world-class players at every position so he can rotate without having to use his brain. It's getting ridiculous. After the Calafiori acquisition, Arteta said how Calafiori offers "competition" at the LB spot. Imagine having so many resources and so much available talent that you're signing first-choice players just so you never have to suffer any downgrade in talent, or make any formation change or tactical decision. Arteta just wants to plug and play like his idol Pep. They're both like corporate CEOs. Their goal seems to be to choke the variance out of results. Arsenal fans have the same jaded attitude towards Calafiori. "Calafiori gives us depth." Absolutely spoiled. I hope Calafiori does well, because those fans won't appreciate him after one bad game. They'll be calling for Timber. They'll probably chalk the slightest shortcoming up to Italians can't adjust to (something) about the Premier League.
That definitely will happen. They need a CF more than anything else. Defensively they are solid. 2nd best team in the EPL and their CF, Gabriel Jesus, only got 4 goals. Goals came mainly from Saka, then Gabriel Martinelli chipped in 6. (a Brazilian who Mancio tried to convince to play for Italy as he holds a passport). My concern with Calafiori going there, at the risk of repeating myself, is that by all accounts, they want to put him as a LB. Which is what he originally is (Roma youth teams), but he did not stand out as a LB. It was only as a CB at Basel then Bologna did he flourish. Arteta is going to undo all of that if he sticks him as LB.
He's not all that but I trust Rolando Mandragora to win out the spot as DM over Tessman. It won't be so easy. I can't see it happening but if Viola sell Gonzalez then they will try to bring in Albert Gudmundssen from Genoa. However, Gudmundssen likely goes to Inter after they sell off a few players.
Locatelli/ Orsolini Reading their comments in Pre Season both have expressed disappointment at not being called to the European Championships. Orsolini especially comments how he was a recluse for almost a week and how he kept away from his father's calls as he was afraid of saying the wrong thing. Meanwhile we had players like Cristante who looked like they couldn't wait to get out of there. I'm wary about Locatelli as his level has dropped but at age 27, no reason why Orsolini shouldn't be called in (if he even accepts)
Juve are making the wrong move here! Selling Chiesa for a paltry 15M (they talked themselves out of more) and spending upwards of 40M for Gonzalez is much more money than just offering more in wages. Any wonder why Marotta at Inter and Conte wants him yet Giuntoli doesn't? Thiago Motta's carrying on as if he's Pep/ Carletto. For a Manager that hasn't won dick he's having too much of a say. Meanwhile Allegri was told to make do with what he had. LOL! This guy won't see Christmas if it doesn't work out.
He's not on the NT these days but I think Davide Calabria is off to Roma. Milan are bringing in another non-Italian (quel suprise), Emerson Royal from Tottenham. Just watch, they will say he fits their profile. Florenzi is out for 8 Months. Roma need a RB and while Raoul Bellanova is their first choice, Torino are pricing themselves out by demanding too much.
Jack off to Saudi to get one last paycheck. Good for him. Al Jabroni or something. The streets won't ever forget.
I prefer the Italian Emerson. Lol Sad about our beloved captain potentially leaving. Kidding! Calabria stinks
IMVHO, he's become too comfortable there. He needs a new outlook. If he leaves now he can salvage the last 3-5 years of his career. He won't want to but I see it as a new beginning for him.