The boy’s a bit special. Of that, there is little doubt. Although comparisons with fellow pint-sizer Lionel Messi are as premature as they are inaccurate, Sebastian Giovinco is an exciting youngster with real potential. But if the ambitious 22-year-old is going to realise his dream of one day winning the World Cup and the Golden Ball, then Juventus will have a key part to play in it. Not only do they own his contract, they are also, crucially, in charge of his destiny.
Giovinco is a graduate of the club’s youth academy. A key member of their Primavera side, the Turin native made his first team debut last season in Serie B before it was decided that he should be loaned out to little Empoli for 2007-08. It’s been a success for all involved – the player and both outfits.
The midget gem has been given the opportunity of regular top-flight football for the first time and he’s revelled in it. He’s started in 15 of his 27 League appearances to date, scoring five goals and assisting in numerous others. The numbers make good reading, but they only tell part of the story. His performances haven’t been too bad either…
If you take the pagelle marks from Italy’s three sports papers and those from four other dailies, Giovinco was Week 30’s best player thanks to an average mark of 7.43. He followed up that lively display against Roma by inspiring the Azzurrini to a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan on Tuesday. He set up both goals and wowed the crowd by forcing a save out of the goalkeeper with a shot from inside his own half.
Taking into account what he’s achieved this season, even much-maligned sporting director Alessio Secco is aware that Giovinco could be of real use to Juventus next term. The side lacks width, as has become evident when Claudio Ranieri has been deprived of either Mauro Camoranesi or Pavel Nedved. Giovinco would also give the tactician a player who can genuinely dribble past opponents, plus a burst of speed that Juve sometimes need.
So it would make sense for Giovinco to be recalled to the Old Lady then? Yes it would, but on the condition that he’s actually given an opportunity to play. He obviously can’t be guaranteed a starting shirt, he’ll have to earn that, but in order for the little one to make a big impression then he must be offered a regular chance. Otherwise shipping him out on loan for one more year may be the best move for everyone.
Juventus already have one so-called future great, Raffaele Palladino, who has struggled to make his mark this season, while Domenico Criscito was quickly despatched back to Genoa in January after some very unsettling games. It would be sad to see the same happen to Giovinco next term. The problem is that talent alone – especially in Serie A – is sometimes not enough to turn a good player into a great, it’s about how that ability is nurtured. And that’s where Juventus come in.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/blogs/al26.html
Giovinco is a graduate of the club’s youth academy. A key member of their Primavera side, the Turin native made his first team debut last season in Serie B before it was decided that he should be loaned out to little Empoli for 2007-08. It’s been a success for all involved – the player and both outfits.
The midget gem has been given the opportunity of regular top-flight football for the first time and he’s revelled in it. He’s started in 15 of his 27 League appearances to date, scoring five goals and assisting in numerous others. The numbers make good reading, but they only tell part of the story. His performances haven’t been too bad either…
If you take the pagelle marks from Italy’s three sports papers and those from four other dailies, Giovinco was Week 30’s best player thanks to an average mark of 7.43. He followed up that lively display against Roma by inspiring the Azzurrini to a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan on Tuesday. He set up both goals and wowed the crowd by forcing a save out of the goalkeeper with a shot from inside his own half.
Taking into account what he’s achieved this season, even much-maligned sporting director Alessio Secco is aware that Giovinco could be of real use to Juventus next term. The side lacks width, as has become evident when Claudio Ranieri has been deprived of either Mauro Camoranesi or Pavel Nedved. Giovinco would also give the tactician a player who can genuinely dribble past opponents, plus a burst of speed that Juve sometimes need.
So it would make sense for Giovinco to be recalled to the Old Lady then? Yes it would, but on the condition that he’s actually given an opportunity to play. He obviously can’t be guaranteed a starting shirt, he’ll have to earn that, but in order for the little one to make a big impression then he must be offered a regular chance. Otherwise shipping him out on loan for one more year may be the best move for everyone.
Juventus already have one so-called future great, Raffaele Palladino, who has struggled to make his mark this season, while Domenico Criscito was quickly despatched back to Genoa in January after some very unsettling games. It would be sad to see the same happen to Giovinco next term. The problem is that talent alone – especially in Serie A – is sometimes not enough to turn a good player into a great, it’s about how that ability is nurtured. And that’s where Juventus come in.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/blogs/al26.html
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