Federico told the truth in the press room, with the award for best player of Italy-Albania next to him which had recently been given to him by UEFA: “We spoke with Spalletti and he asked me if I felt like playing wide right. I immediately said yes because that is my favorite role.” Yes, you read right: it’s his favorite role. Right winger in 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. At Juventus he almost never had to step on those clumps of the pitch because Allegri used the 3-5-2 and placed Fede in the role of second striker, “to bring him closer to the goal and allow him to score with more continuity”. In reality the move did not bear great fruit and Chiesa, in the last season, concentrated six of his nine goals in the first five matchdays and in the last two. In between performances… not like Chiesa and some physical discomfort, but Max never gave up on him. Just as Lucio doesn’t give up on it now, who seems to have made a precise choice in this European Championship: after trying it on the centre-left in the 3-4-2-1 during the last friendly match in Empoli against Bosnia, he brought it back wide to right. Where the Tuscan winger by adoption can smell the chalk on the touchline and can unleash his run and his one-on-one. On Saturday, especially in the first half, he looked like the real Chiesa, the one from his Fiorentina days, the one that the Lady bought by writing a check for 50 million to Commisso. Now, however, director Giuntoli finds himself in a delicate situation: renew his contract worth 5 million net per season, which expires in 2025, or sell him on the market. For Thiago Motta’s game he seems not to be indispensable (euphemism) and with these premises it is difficult for the management to go and discuss an extension of the agreement with the agent Ramadani, perhaps by increasing the salary.
SOCIAL COURT
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Let’s say frankly: in the last two seasons Chiesa hasn’t received many compliments from Juventus fans on social media. Because, used in areas of the pitch that he doesn’t love madly, he hasn’t expressed his value. “I play where the coach asks me to, but my favorite position is on the right” he said candidly two days ago. This is the truth. Stop. This is why now even the Juventus supporters who were hoping for Federico’s farewell for a renewal (Giuntoli’s list includes Greenwood, Sancho and Berardi) are starting to reflect on whether it is right to give up such a talent. One who aims at the man, jumps him and places the cross or, centralizing, tries the conclusion. In modern football the talents that create numerical superiority are few and when Fede accelerates and attacks you, he can hurt any defender. Against Spain, if Spalletti doesn’t change formation, maybe we will have confirmation. In the meantime, however, the market is moving and inevitably the boy born in Genoa is at the center of it.
OCCASION
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The new Napoli coach, Antonio Conte, has put him first on the list of reinforcements. Thanks to De Rossi’s “sponsorship”, Roma want him. And then there is the unknown Premier League: last summer Aston Villa tried, but Federico said no. Now Emery’s club, which will compete in the next Champions League, can return to the charge, perhaps together with Newcastle. Although perhaps more would be needed to push him to leave Italy. Maybe a London club or PSG, who however have not sent any signals and have Dembele on the right (which is why they are looking for the left-footed Kvaratskhelia). However, the European Championship is long (or so the Azzurri fans hope) and other performances like Saturday’s could bring the Tuscan winger back even more to the center of the market, not only in Italy, but also internationally. Will Juventus review his choice? Giuntoli has no intention of selling Chiesa out and, without a proposal deemed adequate, he will not send him away… at any cost. Having said this, the current orientation is the one that will be carried forward until the last days of the transfer market, i.e. listening to offers suited to the value that Continassa gives to the attacker’s price tag. Translated into numbers, between 40 and 50 million, knowing full well that the latter figure can only be reached if Premier League clubs enter the picture. Let’s say those who compete for first places. The European Championship, as mentioned, can be the right showcase and Fali Ramadani, the player’s agent, knows this well.
