Latest news with #Sacchi
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool transfers: £35m deal approved by legendary manager - 'I'm convinced'
Liverpool are still busy in the transfer market and could add two new defenders to Arne Slot's squad before the month is over with a legendary figure in football approving one deal Iconic Italian manager Arrigo Sacchi has given his seal of approval to Liverpool's move for Parma defender Giovanni Leoni. The 79-year-old has tipped the teenage star to continue his rise if he completes a transfer to Anfield and tipped him to become the future of their national team. Mirror Football reported on Tuesday that the Reds want to sign Leoni and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi to bolster their defence. The 18-year-old is expected to cost around £35million despite being a newcomer to first team foootball. Liverpool have targeted a young defender in recent times as they attempt to have a smooth succession in their backline with the likes of Virgil van Dijk already in his thirties. Lenny Yoro, Jorrel Hato and Dean Huijsen have all previously been linked to the club. Towering defender Leoni now looks set to be that figure and is highly regarded by one of the most lauded managers in footbal history in Sacchi. And the veteran coach provided an overwhelming enforsement of the player's talents. Sacchi, who is frustrated to not see a top Italian side make a move for Leoni, believes that the young defender will be a success for Liverpool and Italy. The legendary AC Milan boss is unconcerned by the youngster's lack of first team football. "We'll see if the deal goes through, but in any case, I'd say the Reds would be making a great move by signing this young man, whom I followed with interest and curiosity in the second half of last season,' Sacchi wrote in Gazzetta Dello Sport. "I'm convinced he'll be the lynchpin of the Azzurri defence for a long time. "Some, regarding a possible transfer to Liverpool, object that this young man has only made 17 Serie A appearances so far. Aren't those few? No, I reply. Not few, because on those occasions Leoni has demonstrated the qualities needed to go far. "If someone is good, if someone has their head in the right place, it's immediately obvious. A person can have 200 Serie A games under their belts and still not possess the qualities Leoni displayed in his first season as an adult. Talent knows no age. "Let's also give him the opportunity to make mistakes. At eighteen, some mistakes are expected and can be forgiven. And in any case, Leoni won't make many. He's a tough guy who's already learned the fundamental lesson, keep your head down and work hard." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sacchi tells Liverpool what to expect from 18-year-old Italy talent Leoni: ‘A great coup'
Arrigo Sacchi thinks that Liverpool are getting a 'modern, strong and gritty' defender if they are able to pull off a deal with Parma for 18-year-old Italy talent Giovanni Leoni, but admits that he would have rather seen the youngster move to Inter, Milan, Juventus or Napoli. Reports on Wednesday confirmed that Liverpool are 'very close' to striking a deal with Parma for the highly-rated young centre-back. Parma's valuation has stood at €40m, while Wednesday's reports claim that Liverpool are closing in on an agreement for around €35m. The Parma defender, who made 17 appearances in Serie A during his first season in the top flight last term, had been of interest to both Milan and Inter this summer, with rumours that a number of Italy's top clubs were also keen but not in a position to offer a realistic deal. Sacchi: 'Leoni is a great talent, nobody has any doubts about that' Arrigo Sacchi during the Women Supercup match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Dino Manuzzi Stadium on May 24, 2024 in Cesena, Italy. (Photo by) Sacchi, writing for La Gazzetta dello Sport, has provided an in-depth review of what to expect from Leoni if he is to move to the Premier League this summer. 'It brings me immense joy and a bit of anger on the other side,' Sacchi explained. 'I'm happy that an Italian player is receiving the appreciation from a great club like Liverpool, but I would have liked for Milan, Inter, Juve or Napoli to have competed for his signing, not a foreign club. 'Either way, I would say that Liverpool are making a great coup by securing this guy, who I followed with a lot of curiosity and interest in the second half of last season.' Explaining what to expect from Leoni on the pitch, Sacchi wrote: 'Leoni is a modern central defender. He knows how to mark a man, he's gritty, he has a good physique, he doesn't let himself get thrown around. 'I think about an excellent performance of his against a centre-forward of Lukaku's quality. PARMA, ITALY – MAY 18: Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio is challenged by Romelu Lukaku of Napoli during the Serie A match between Parma and Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 18, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by) 'The boy wasn't frightened, he followed him in every part of the pitch because the plan was for fixed, man-to-man marking. He got involved in duels, and when the ball was on the ground, I don't remember a single time that Lukaku managed to get past his opponent. 'We're looking at a great talent, nobody has any doubts about that. Obviously being just 18 years old, the margins for improvement are considerable. For example, in my opinion, he could be a bit safer in setting up plays.' PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05:Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio in action during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by) Responding to questions as to whether Leoni will be able to make the step up to the Premier League and possibly the Champions League, Sacchi wrote: 'I think so. He will have to learn a few things, he will have to adapt to the new reality, but I don't think he will run into any problems longer term. 'The important thing is that he is given a learning period. A little patience, in short.'
Metro
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Rasmus Hojlund criticised for delaying Man Utd exit by AC Milan legend
Former AC Milan and Italy head coach Arrigo Sacchi has criticised Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund for hesitating over a move to the Serie A side. AC Milan have held talks with United to sign Hojlund on a season-long loan which includes an option to buy. After completing their £73.7 million move for Benjamin Sesko last weekend, United are open to offloading Hojlund, who scored four goals in the Premier League last season. However, the 22-year-old has not immediately made it clear that he is open to a return to Italy and has publicly stated that he wants to fight for his place at United. Sacchi has questioned Hojlund's decision and believes United's stance over his exit should be enough to persuade him to join AC Milan before the end of the summer transfer window. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'We're not talking about van Basten, nor are we talking about one of the strongest centre-forwards in Europe at the moment. He's a decent player, nothing more,' Sacchi told La Gazzetta dello Sport. More Trending 'I understand the desire of the Rossoneri directors given that there is a shortage of strikers. But it has to be one that wants to come to Italy, one that doesn't throw a tantrum. 'I don't understand his choice. If Milan calls you, you pack your bags and get on the first plane to Malpensa. 'Milan, in the world of football, is a mystical name. I, along with all the players who are brought in, would take a tour of the trophy room so that we understand where we have come. 'Of course, Manchester United is also a legendary team. But on the one hand, there is a club, Milan, which is offering you a permanent job, and on the other hand, there is a club that is doing everything to try and sell you. What would you choose?' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Fabian Hurzeler speaks out after Brighton respond to Man Utd transfer bid for Carlos Baleba MORE: Chelsea join Man Utd and Man City in transfer race for £26m PSG outcast MORE: Borussia Dortmund renew interest in Chelsea defender following Niklas Sule injury blow
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sacchi warns Inter about Kane: He ‘rarely forgives'
Arrigo Sacchi feels Inter must play an 'aggressive game' away at Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and warns the Nerazzurri about Harry Kane: 'He rarely forgives.' The defending Serie A champions have qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals, beating Feyenoord 4-1 on aggregate. They will meet Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. 'The Germans play well on the wings, are strong in midfield, and have a striker like Kane, who rarely forgives,' Sacchi wrote in his latest Gazzetta dello Sport column. 'Inter will need a top-level performance to beat Bayern. The details—which we Italians always pay close attention to—will make the difference. 'Of course, Inter will need to go to Munich with the mindset of playing an aggressive game, putting pressure on their opponents to unsettle them and shake their confidence. Recovering both physical and mental energy will be crucial, as will approaching the first match with calmness and without tension. 'Then, there will be the return leg at San Siro, which is definitely an advantage for the Nerazzurri. If the tie remains level, they could play extra time in front of their home crowd. 'This two-legged matchup is wide-open, and there isn't a clear favourite from the start,' concluded Sacchi. 'However, if Inter avoid major setbacks, particularly injuries, they have everything it takes to compete on equal terms with Bayern and even to eliminate them.'
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sacchi: Liverpool ‘impressed me the most' in Champions League
Arrigo Sacchi says Federico Chiesa's Liverpool impressed him the most in the Champions League's opening phase. The Reds have won the league phase, earning 21 points in eight games. Sacchi, a former Milan and Italy coach, wrote in his column for La Gazzetta dello Sport that Arne Slot's side were the most impressive team in the first part of the tournament. 'The team that impressed me the most was undoubtedly Liverpool,' wrote the ex-Azzurri boss. 'They're going full throttle. Stopping the Reds when they accelerate is practically impossible, as their dominance in the Premier League proves. After Klopp's era, the new coach Slot has managed, with great humility, to maintain certain tactical principles of his predecessor and add a few small details to bring back enthusiasm to the environment. 'I've' also been watching the evolution of Arteta's' Arsenal with interest: an English team led with a Spanish touch,' added Sacchi. 'This blend, combining Anglo-Saxon physicality with Latin technique, produces results and excitement.' Four Serie A clubs have qualified for the knockout phase, but while Inter finished in the top eight and gained direct access to the Round of 16, Juventus, Milan and Atalanta will have to go through the playoff. Sacchi predicted Inter would fight to win the competition but urged Juventus and Milan to 'wake up' after disappointing results and performances against Benfica and Dinamo Zagreb. Rossoneri and Bianconeri could meet in the playoff knockout. The draw will take place on Friday, January 31.
