Four New Italians

Mr. MUJAC

Manchester United Youth Historian
Joined
Sep 19, 2005
Messages
6,346
Location
Walter Crickmer started it all...
The Gazetta dello Sport today reported that United had signed four of the stars of the Fiorentina Youth team.

The Fiorentina U17's won the Alievi Nazionale in 2010/11...the equivalent in kudos to our FA Youth Cup but run in a league format.

This story has been rumbling for a couple of weeks but only hit the Italian newspapers today.

Nmerous comments have been made on Twitter by those who follow the youth people on there.

The four players are:

1. Pierluigi Gallini (goalkeeper)

A goalkeeper who was originally from SPAL and has only been with Fiorentina one season. He attracted lot's of interest in Italy notably from Inter and AC Milan as well as Juventus. Originally a midfielder as a youth he has excelled since going into nets.

2. Luca Lezzerini (goalkeeper)

Born 24th March 1995 in Rome, Luca has been capped six times for the Italian Youth Team. Three times each at U/16 and U/17 level. Originally from Lazio, he joined Fiorentina 18 months ago. He stands at 195cm and weighs 86kg.

3. Leonardo Capezzi (attacking midfield)

Born 28th march 1995 in Figline Valdarno just outside Florence, he is 178cm tall and weighs 69kg. He is the star of the Fiorentina Youth team and has been tipped to go all the way. He also has played for the Italian Youth team, three times at U/16 and twice at U/17.

4. Saverio Madrigani (defender)

Born 28th January 1995 his twin brother Xavier also plays in the same team. He is 190cm and weighs 81kg...a big lad for 16! He has been at Fiorentina for three years and is originally from Massa Marittima near Grosseto in Tuscany. He played his early football for Freccia Azzurra in Pisa. In March 2011 he was called up into the Italian U/16 development squad in Coverciano.

It will be interesting to see if all four players come to Manchester and if Madrigani comes alone or with his twin brother.

Watch the fireworks on this one!
 
Is it your understanding that it is less harmonious then the initial reports then?

Interesting that none are strikers and another midfielder!

You also have to wonder where this leaves Coll, Jacob and Sutherland (who I assume moves up to the Academy this year).

Edit. Thanks for the info, Twitter seems to be drawing away all the best youth posters!
 
For some reason poaching like this gives me a bad feeling. The Italians once again will have a hissy fit about this. I can understand them though, we would be a bit annoyed if Morrison,Tunnicliffe and Pogba suddenly joined Real. Surprised it's 2 goalies though, thought United would look for more central midfielders.
 
We already seem to have 21 player at that level, 25 in the youth team squad is massive! We might than have to field 2 teams to fulfill our obligation to the players!
 
oskarutd said:
We already seem to have 21 player at that level, 25 in the youth team squad is massive! We might than have to field 2 teams to fulfill our obligation to the players!
Click to expand...

We'll have more keepers then strikers as well as this deal would make it 5 keepers. I know it always used to bug PS18 when we didn't have a keeper on the bench, now we could have 4!

Btw it might be an idea to start a new thread for the 2011/2012 season with squad so far.
 
datura said:
We'll have more keepers then strikers as well as this deal would make it 5 keepers. I know it always used to bug PS18 when we didn't have a keeper on the bench, now we could have 4!

Btw it might be an idea to start a new thread for the 2011/2012 season with squad so far.
Click to expand...

Have the names of the first year intake been released yet?
 
GCHQ said:
Who are the 13 players that you think will be in the first year intake?
Click to expand...

Well, reported are:

Declan Dalley,
Adnan Januzaj,
Mats Dæhli.

By large confirmed by various means:

Sutherland,
Love,
Wilkinson,
Rowley,
Gorre,
McNair,
Rothwell,
Rudge,
Barmby,
Pearson,
Thompson.

So actually they are 14!
 
So is there any more information about whether these 4 players have been signed yet or not? From what I've gathered, La Nazione (Florence based newspaper) has claimed that we are interested in those 4 players but have yet to sign them. Not been able to find much else.
 
From manutd.com gossip:
Thursday 30 June

12:47 As we reported yesterday here in The Gossip, Italy Under-17 goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini looks destined to join the Reds' youth ranks. Speaking at a youth tournament in Italy yesterday, he said: "With Manchester we can say that everything is already done. Soon I'll be leaving for England. I'm really happy because for me it's a new adventure and I hope to do my best."
 
oskarutd said:
You´re welcome. Also, the fact we are signing the 4th u-18 ´keeper must say he is special!
Click to expand...

How do u rate the 3 young goalies already on our books, oskar? I've seen Johnston quite a few times, but what about Jacob and Coll?
 
Jacob hasn't looked very good at all, Coll a good shot stopper but not convincing in limited appearances. I would have assumed Coll would have been the first choice this season prior to the possible Italian influx.
 
Seems like only one of them is coming.


Fiorentina angered by Manchester United swoop for Pierluigi Gollini

PA


Thursday, 30 June 2011

Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino has taken a swipe at Manchester United for convincing Italy Under-17 goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini to leave the Tuscan outfit for Old Trafford.

Gollini revealed today he had accepted an offer to join United's academy.

Corvino says even more of his youngsters were targeted by clubs in England but elected to remain with the Viola.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino has taken into consideration the comments made by player Pierluigi Gollini and is surprised by his decision.

"He takes the opportunity to thank players (Niccolo) Fazzi, (Saverio) Madrigali, (Leonardo) Capezzi, (Federico) Bernardeschi and (Luca) Lezzerini, who have decided to remain with the Viola club, not being lured by false illusions of English sirens in recent days.

"Of the 150 players that have decided to go abroad, no-one has been able to earn a place in the first team."

Italian defender Michele Fornasier joined United in 2009 from Fiorentina's youth section.

Fiorentina angered by Manchester United swoop for Pierluigi Gollini - Premier League, Football - The Independent
 
Richter said:
Seems like only one of them is coming.


Fiorentina angered by Manchester United swoop for Pierluigi Gollini

PA


Thursday, 30 June 2011

Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino has taken a swipe at Manchester United for convincing Italy Under-17 goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini to leave the Tuscan outfit for Old Trafford.

Gollini revealed today he had accepted an offer to join United's academy.

Corvino says even more of his youngsters were targeted by clubs in England but elected to remain with the Viola.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino has taken into consideration the comments made by player Pierluigi Gollini and is surprised by his decision.

"He takes the opportunity to thank players (Niccolo) Fazzi, (Saverio) Madrigali, (Leonardo) Capezzi, (Federico) Bernardeschi and (Luca) Lezzerini, who have decided to remain with the Viola club, not being lured by false illusions of English sirens in recent days.

"Of the 150 players that have decided to go abroad, no-one has been able to earn a place in the first team."

Italian defender Michele Fornasier joined United in 2009 from Fiorentina's youth section.

Fiorentina angered by Manchester United swoop for Pierluigi Gollini - Premier League, Football - The Independent
Click to expand...

To be quite honest - Macheda and Petrucci looked class from the first time I saw them - Massacci and Fornasier don't. They are not bad players - but I can't see what made them so special that we have to pick them from abroad - it's not like they stand out from what we have already!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.