Maurizio Pistocchi advises the big names in Serie A. In Serie B, important talents are often hidden, such as Francesco Pio Esposito
Maurizio Pistocchi advises the big names in Serie A. In Serie B, important talents are often hidden, such as Francesco Pio Esposito. Last year the Nerazzurri scored a lot against Spezia, earning Inter a call.
Now, Pistocchi recommends another talent:
“For understandable reasons I can’t watch many Serie B matches, but I’ve seen Modena twice – against Cesena and Monza – and I want to say: this is a deal for those with an eye (and there aren’t many). Seeing is believing: Yanis Massolin”
The word of agent Yvan Le Mee to TMW
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Can you tell us something about him and his journey?
“We signed him in the fourth division in France, making him make the direct jump to Ligue 1, at Clermont Foot, which was crazy. In that season, however, he had only played 5-6 games of 10-15 minutes, because at that time Clermont Foot was experiencing an extraordinary year, finishing eighth. However, when he played he demonstrated his qualities, even in friendly matches and in the French Cup.”
Had anyone from Italy already spotted it?
“The first person who called me from Italy was Claudio Chiellini, someone who knows football quite a bit! He wanted him for Juventus’ Next Gen. When we took steps to close everything, Yanis got hurt: we were at the end of the transfer window and he had to sit out for 2-3 weeks, so the deal fell through. The first club to target him was Juve, therefore.”
Do you agree with those who compare him to Rabiot?
“The first time I heard this comparison was when Claudio Chiellini called me. He told me: “He’s the new Rabiot”, so we joked a bit. The difference is that Rabiot is a midfielder, but he can play as a midfielder. Yanis is a midfielder who can play an attacking midfielder. With the physique he has he can play in almost any position, with the ball he does things that not everyone can do.”
Other teams that have been interested in him in the past? We talked about Milan.
“At the end of 2023/24, after playing in Belgium, Milan tried, the Rossoneri also wanted him for the Under 23s. In that case, however, Milan wanted a loan with right of redemption, without obligation. Francs Borains saw him as their best prospect, so they couldn’t accept. There was also interest from Atalanta, I’d say in 2023 if I’m not mistaken, who saw in him a player similar to Koopmeiners. But at that time there were so many players on loan and it was difficult to bring in yet another player.”
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