When you think of Italian football you probably associate it with players like Totti, Del Piero and Pirlo, who have brought flair, passion and success to their national side. But the Italy of today, although still sprinkled with the talents of many ageing stars, is finding new faces trying to emerge as the next big talents to continue the tradition on the centre stage.
Even though he has been part of the Italian national set up for a few years now, with 24 appearances and starting all 3 games in the 2010 World Cup, Riccardo Montolivo has been relatively overlooked by European clubs. He is a versatile midfielder and although he shows more promise in an attacking role, has a fair bit of experience as a defensive mid and has settled into a playmaker role a number of times.
Whether the 26 year old could move on from Fiorentina, at which he was made club captain last season, to become a solid performer at a top level club has been much debated. He possesses many good qualities for a midfielder such as good passing, vision and general technique, but he can be a fairly inconsistent performer and despite getting himself into good positions, he doesn’t score a bundle of goals.
Some fans rave about him, saying he is the forgotten talent of Italian football, and some say he is overrated. It seems like a good opportunity for Riccardo to move to a bigger club and try to really flourish into a great player, and not fade away as one of the European talents who never quite made it. Ever since his eye-catching and exciting style of play was seen at struggling Atalanta, Italy recognised that there was a gifted teenager displaying the promise of a future star in Serie A. This summer he faces a tough decision as he leaves behind the club that offered him his big break in Italian football, to find a team he feels more suited to shaping him into the mould of a world class midfielder.
As his contract only runs for 1 more year and he has expressed a desire to leave at the end of it, Riccardo would probably be available at a slightly reduced price. I could see him doing a job for say, Tottenham, Arsenal and maybe even Man United if one of the Premiership sides wanted to take a gamble. His quick and accurate passing and orchestration of dangerous attacks could be beneficial to a team that play with pace and are exciting to watch, and he isn’t short of experience playing alongside big names like de Rossi and Pirlo in midfield.
Although I couldn’t see Wenger signing him, I think Montolivo would be a decent signing for Arsenal as a replacement creative midfielder for Samir Nasri or Cesc Fabregas if they leave. He possess similar characteristics to Fabregas and, although he may not be as naturally gifted, Riccardo’s playing style and influence can be similar to the Spaniard, just perhaps without the goalscoring tally to back him up.
However, rumours are that Inter Milan have been in pole position to sign Montolivo, as the Italian midfielder looks to establish himself as one of the top players in Serie A again, just not with the Viola. He would be a good fit for Inter, as they look to rebuild and strengthen their midfield for next season. A place in the team alongside Cambiasso and Sneijder seems like an attractive prospect and one which would give him a great chance of developing into the type of player he aspires to become.
After a slightly stuttering finish to the 2010/11 campaign, Riccardo will want to come out at the start of the new season all guns blazing, ready to answer the critics and prove himself in an invigorated role. I really hope that he takes a step in the right direction because, I think he would excel competing in the Champions League this season and, with the right people around him to re-ignite his game, further increase his reputation at the top level. I think he is the type of player who needs to be around the best players to bring out his full qualities and to be on top of his game, and for the viewing public – his game is pretty nice to watch.
Follow me on Twitter: @HazbTwit
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
To have a peak at the top SEVEN available FREE TRANSFERS this summer, click here.
Or to have a look at 10 ways a football lover can spend this summer, click here!