Giovinco: 'The Italian Messi’ - Juventus Wonderkid Tracked by Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Spurs & Liverpool
This summer one of Europe’s finest young talents will be strutting his stuff at the Beijing Olympics as part of the Italian national side. The youngster’s name is Sebastian Giovinco and if you haven’t heard of him yet, you soon will.
The 21-year-old is a Juventus player but spent last season on loan at fellow Serie A club Empoli where he certainly caught the eye. At 5 ft 4, the attacking midfielder is nicknamed the 'Atomic Ant’ and for what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in ability. Despite the youngster having played just 3 senior matches (1 start) for the Juventus first team, he is held in extremely high regard by the club and particularly the fans.
A recent contract dispute with the club led to a fans protest as it was suggested that Arsenal were to set to move for the player with Robin Van Persie perhaps heading to Turin. A poll launched on the Juve fans vecchiasignora.com website ended with a staggering 89.5% voting in favour of snubbing a potential Van Persie player-exchange offer for Giovinco from the Gunners. This shouldn’t be too much of a surprise as the wonderkid has been hailed as the future of the club and heir to club legend Alessandro Del Piero.
This 'Ant’ Managed to Stand and Deliver!Giovinco may struggle to get a game next season with the plethora of attacking talent on show at the club such as Del Piero, Trezeguet, Iaquinta and now the Brazilian Amauri. However, the wonderkid has dismissed those fears, he said, “It will be a pleasure to play alongside so many champions.”
He added, “I am sure I’ll be able to earn my space throughout the campaign. I’m not scared of competition.” Confident words indeed but the youngster has been praised from a number of sources and is rated the current best prospect in Italian football so who can blame him?
Recently he was compared to arguably the best player in the world Lionel Messi by former Calgilari Coach Davide Ballardini who said, “Juventus are the kings of the transfer market as Sebastian Giovinco drives me crazy.”
“He has amazing qualities, he is unpredictable and he works well in the team.
“He has to be patient at the start and I believe Giovinco is Juve’s answer to Milan’s Ronaldinho.
“I saw Giovinco last year at Empoli and I may be crazy, but he is just as good as Lionel Messi.
“There is not much of a difference between the two.”
Out with the Old, In with the New..The local-born youngster joined Juventus in 2001 aged 14. Giovinco has since worked his way through the youth system into the first team squad. The Italian made his first team debut in May 2007 in a Serie B encounter with Bologna. Despite coming on as a substitute, the youngster illustrating his potential by setting up a David Trezeguet goal with an excellent pass.
A season-long loan at Empoli last season brought Giovinco to the public’s attention. Despite impressing he did not do enough to keep the club in Serie A though he did make 35 League appearances (20 starts) and scored 6 goals. This included strikes against League runners-up Roma both home and away.
The Juventus star has represented Italy from U16 level upwards and was voted Player of the competition this year at the U21 Toulon Tournament. Italy managed to win the trophy for the first time in their history with Giovinco playing an integral role. This prompted a call-up to the Olympic squad for the trip to Beijing.
The youngster is arguably the most exciting youngster in Italian football at the moment and despite contract disputes with Juventus, his agent suggests he will remain at the club. Andrea D’Amico said, “with regards to his contract, I am convinced that there will be no problem”. However, if there is, expect some of the biggest clubs in the world to come calling for the diminutive, skilful Sebastian 'Atomic Ant’ Giovinco.
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