It really is amazing to me that Vincenzo Grifo had superior statistics than Soule last season and was also busy on two fronts bringing Frieburg deep in the Europa League, can hit a FK and PK with the best of them, is ethnically Italian (origine Pugliese) but have they or any other podcaster ever called for Grifo in the last 8 years? Italy has players right under their noses and are fuxking blind. *now yes, of course, can't call for him now for a future project now given he's on the wrong side of 30 but I'm saying throughout his career. When Chiesa got hurt in 2022 and needed a winger Grifo could have been called and tell ya what... he would have bagged that PK against Switzerland that Jorginho flubbed.
Wouldn’t be surprised if it this had a lot to do with the agents dictating who was on the team. Gattuso was the worst choice possible looking back. Bosnia got rewarded for playing hungry young players.
Una Copa del Mundo sin Italia es un verano sin mar.Sin el azul más hermoso del fútbol.Sin la tragedia.Sin la épica.Es, simplemente, menos Copa del Mundo. pic.twitter.com/4roj72zCQM— 5th Beatle (@5thbeatle__) June 13, 2026
He was asked which Arsenal player he'd like to add to the Swedish national team? Gyokeres: I'd choose Riccardo Calafiori, because he won't be playing in the World Cup. So he has to come here so he can play in the World Cup. Viktor Gyokeres; I really wish Riccardo Calafiori was in the World CupCalafiori somewhere in Italy: pic.twitter.com/0o0O5bkVFd— Bukayo Rice 🏴🤍❤️ (@gooner_since05) June 15, 2026
Grifo’s exclusion from the Italian national team & Serie A can only be explained by the fact that he doesn’t have an Italian agent and isn’t connected to the “system”. It’s also why Tresoldi hasn’t entered Italy for the same reason. People need to start following the money trail. If the Riso’s, Busardo’s, Lucci’s etc. don't get a cut, nothing moves. At the same time, while I respect Grifo’s talent, I don’t know how much would have changed for us. Yes he would have been a good dead ball specialist, but at the end of the day he’s another inverted winger with good feet but lacks pace. We lack the dynamic winger for the 1v1s who can turnover the ball with quickness.
Amorin to Milan so that will be a 343 ... not perfect but better than 532 and that is another 532 done and dusted from the top 7 teams. I don't know if one will remain come opening day. We will see if Allegri plays a 433 at Napoli as it's been suggested.
My only issue with Grifo is his age. If we need an experienced RW/RAM for a Mancini 433/4231 I think it is more likely we see Zaniolo Berardi Orsolini even Bernadeschi or Chiesa but I will hope we see a younger player emerge as we need as many players with legs as possible. I would use Koleosho at RW every right footed winger does not need to play on the left. We see with Diomande with Ivory Coast a right footed RW and I think this will slowly return to the game. It is more balanced to have one winger that cuts in and one that can cross and take on his man with his strong foot. This double inverted winger notion of the 2010s needs to die it leads to stagnation. So in that case Inacio/Koleosho could be the perfect wide players to play around Pio but we will see its all there for the taking.
Italian Champion Avg Age (approx.) World Cup 1934 ~28.0 World Cup 1938 ~27.5–28.0 Euro 1968 ~27–28 World Cup 1982 ~28.0 World Cup 2006 ~28.8 Euro 2021 ~27.8 So across nearly 90 years of major titles, Italy's winning teams have almost always been around 28 years old. kinda interesting ... most other winners are 26-27
That's fine and all, but we have to build a PROJECT. Projects take 2-6 years. Look at the 1982 team. That team was built off a young core in 1978 that did very well at the WC. You have to build a young core averaging in the early 20s and let them build chemistry.
Unless you are talking about a defender, it drives me INSANE when I hear calls for players that are 28, 29, and 30. It's not going to work because you need to build for the future and start planning.
That's fine, I'm just saying if Grifo plays like he has been playing his entire career again this season, I wouldn't put it past Mancio to recall him again. I know you guys don't think so and would be mad if it did happened, but Grifo has performed well for Mancio so it could happen again.
I could see a situation where if he is doing well for 2 years, Italy qualify to the EC, a regular gets hurt and he is called. Happened with Bergomi called for France'98 despite never being a part of qualifiers. But to start a 2 year project with him is wrong.
Prof Interesting that you write that (I believe it to be true) but I think Mancio will put his foot down and chose the players he wants based on merit or what players they can be in 2-4 years. He knows for sure the ********kery that lies ahead of him and I could see him telling these unsavory agents where to go. Afterall, if what your suggestion is true, he did defy the Agents and Capped Grifo before. So he could cap others who are not well connected.
Yep, I really am not a fan of Zaniolo at all. It just sucks that we don't have much quality on the right wing. I'd like to see Vergara tried out there. Cherubini, Fini, and Venturino are all very raw and Kolesho and Inacio aren't that productive over there unlike on the left.