I like Koleosho as he brings dynamic play and pace. He's only 21. However, he's got to get better in 2 areas: use of his left foot (especially for crosses) and being a little more clinical in his finishes.
Grifo, Insigne (even though he fell off hard after the Euro win but still had a good season right after it in Osimhen's first season), Berardi, Bernardeschi, Zaccagni (who put up good numbers with Lazio), Orsolini, Politano (before he fell off) Probably forgetting 1 or 2 more. These guys should have got the job done. Anyhow, all I'm saying is people are high up on Koleosho but 3 goals and only 50% starts for a bottom half Ligue 1 team leaves me weary. But I'm fully aware that they needed to see what he has. Also, correction to previous message of mine. I thought Zaniolo was 28 YO. He's still 26 YO with a birthday next month. To me he is very much in the mix in a 4 year project. He's already had the obligatory ACL done, on both knees, and had his attitude adjustment perforned, so why not.
I don't see Koleosho ever reaching a top class level but he is useful. Sometimes you just need a runner to open up space. Someone like Nico Williams only scores 5 goals a year in La Liga. I'm nt saying he is as dynamic as Nico Williams but end product is not everything when it comes to a winger. Pedro Neto is the same. In Italy though we always want our wingers to be inside forward number 10s or we'd rather play a 352/3421.
This is a good point. Camoranesi didn't light up the goal sheet. He had 4 goals in 55 appearances for Italy but he was very valuable in many facets. I just think Koleosho is someone to keep an eye on because he takes people one on one. In today's game, you have to be able to attack people with speed and threaten a defense OR they will lock you down and close spaces.
Exactly we are slowly seeing the return of true wingers after years of only inside forwards. Many teams have one winger one inside forward one CF now. Luca can open up space for a Pio. Inacio is the bigger talent that can play the Kvara role for Italy being a creator while Luca is your Doue/Neto/Nico Williams.
I agree that we lack wingers at the moment. Koleosho will be useful but I don't think that he can reach a top level, Chiesa for exemple in 2021 was a more effective dribbler and a much better finisher. Cacciamani is, imho, the most promising winger, he really reminds me of the 2021 Chiesa, and I think he would be perfect in a 4-3-3 system. Another player that could be used as winger is Vergara, but i think that he has to reach a top level this season or it will be too late for him.
We spend roughly ~$15k a year for our 8 year old's soccer academy, highway robbery. In Italy it costs next to nothing. At least it's ran by Brazillian staff and not brainless soccer Americans.
Yeah, was thinking this recently when I made that post about italy might over correct with athleticism. Which is he could be useful as a 80th Minute sub against tired defenders. Inacio is 3 years younger and should surpass him.
I would use Inacio on the left a Luca on the right. We are short at RW. But we will see who emerges there are several players from 18-22 that could all do better than one another. There is just no point playing Orsolini and waiting for them all to hit a peak might as well use them now.
Was just for fun and a play on Mancini's system he used for the Euros. Also to get Palestra and Kayode on the field together which would be so fun to experiment with. Palestra I believe has played on the left in his career, albeit not nearly as much. Mancini used Spinna/Insigne, both right footed players on the left flank to build the play and control a lot of the attack. Inacio being on the ball dictating a lot of the offense would ideal with his creativity. The LB pushes up in possession with the RB tucking in essentially making a back three. I love Kayode as a man marking defender. Koleosho has a lot to grow but it was that dynamic element on the right wing with his speed that was so interesting. Mancini's system creates so much open space for the RW to receive crosses/switches of play to run at defenders and cause issues for the defense. Also keeps the defenders honest to not cheat as heavy on the overload when the ball is being built up on the left flank. Again, just playing around with some hypothetical stuff instead of sulking that we should be getting ready to play in Toronto tomorrow afternoon. Blah.
Yes Palestra has the dribbling and pace to play as a winger. I would still prefer to have two quality RB with him and Kayode pushing each other but hypothetically you could do an old school ZonaMista with Palestra in the wide role and Inacio in the SS role. ------------------------------Pio (prima punta) ---------Inacio (fantasista) ------------------------------------------------Palestra (side midfielder) ------------------Tonali-----------Barella ---Calafiori---------------Fagioli -----------------------Leoni-----Scalvini-------Kayode ----------------------------Gigio -
Absolutely. So many variables. Six months is a long time in calcio, let alone two, three, four years as we've seen countless times. Still fun to dream as I do like a lot of our talents coming up. That said, seeing Inacio in a formation playing in behind Pio is exciting stuff man. I really hope these two stay healthy and keep progressing because that would be make for a seriously dangerous attack duo in the future.
The good thing is we have nations league and have no pressure until March 2027. We have a full year to experiment and scout and hope players do well and emerge. We could get a difficult qualifying group due to our ranking. We have to remember Euro 2024 qualifying came down to the wire. There will be pressure but we thankfully have a window. This is where Conte would have been a disaster. He would have qualified with likely the same team Gatusso used maybe one or two new players and left us a mess to begin 2030 qualifying. These things come around quick.
#Malagò al CorSera: “6 anni per rilanciare il calcio italiano. Se sarò eletto Presidente FIGC, andremo al Mondiale. Se lo sport chiama, per spirito di servizio mi metto a disposizione. Qualcuno aveva chiesto il commissariamento e ha manovrato contro la mia candidatura. Questa… pic.twitter.com/tHSEDqBk4T— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) June 11, 2026
Now is the time to build a deep, major player pool the likes other nations won't see coming. The depth, integration, and development of players matters significantly more than the results. If we tie 1-1 or lose 2-1, go cry about it, because if we call up the correct players and build the depth it will all be worth it and the world is on silent mode when it comes to Italia.
FWIW Floriani Mussolini (my favorite player) has clocked the highest speeds out of any player in Serie A. I’m telling you if he gets the right team and coach he can turn into a very competent right back
I feel like both he and Maldini should have been trained as fullbacks. That would have been a hell of a back 4 a Maldini and a Mussolini.
Malago is the next in line to guarante with him that we will make the World Cup. Haven't you learned from stupid Gattuso to keep your mouth shut. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES. I don't want to hear this shit again. We are a country that does not make the World Cup in this current day and age, accept that fact and do whatever it takes to get us back there, that is what I want to hear.
ALLEGRI c'è lo siamo TOLTO DAI COGLIONI (è andato a Napoli a far danni) adesso chi è in vantaggio è Mancini che per il tipo di lavoro che si deve fare è ottimo (e gli tocca un lavoro DIFFICILISSIMO)
I can't wai to see Uzbekistan, Hatiti, Curacao, Congo, Cape Verde, Qatar, Jordan in action. Way to go Fifa...these could have gone to 8 much better Euro teams. Any ref from Asia or Africa cannot be trusted. I'm actually not that mad Italy are not in this watered down trash tournament.