Cannavaro reveals offer from Nigeria and ‘didn’t expect’ Chiesa to Liverpool
Fabio Cannavaro reveals he rejected an offer from Nigeria national team and admits he didn’t expect to see Federico Chiesa join Liverpool this summer.
Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro will wait until the end of the year for offers from Italian and European clubs before considering proposals from other continents.
The 2006 Italy World Cup winner revealed in his latest interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport that he had received offers from Nigeria national team and Iranian clubs after leaving Udinese in May.
“Udinese are doing as well as I expected because they are strong,” said the former defender.
Cannavaro reveals offer from Nigeria and ‘didn’t expect’ Chiesa to Liverpool
“I had offers from Nigeria [national team] and Iranian clubs, but I want to wait for Serie A and European clubs until December. After that, I may start travelling again.”
Cannavaro was the last Italian player to win the Ballon d’Or in 2006, and he expected no Azzurri to be in the top 30 list for 2024.
“I expected it after the Euros, it’s fair,” he admitted.
“However, we should not tear our clothes in despair now. We haven’t seen this crisis for years. Simply, we must do again the things that made us win in the past.
“We must work on young players, but we must do it seriously, not by filling their heads with tactics, building up from the goalkeeper, high pressing and then seeing somebody who does not know how to run or jump backwards.”
Gigio Donnarumma is the only male candidate for an award, as he was named among the top three goalkeepers for last season.
“Gigio is a phenomenon. He’s always ready at the right time,” said Cannavaro.
“I don’t know what would have happened at the Euros if it wasn’t for him. He’s close to Buffon.”
Gian Piero Gasperini and Carlo Ancelotti are among the Coach of the Year candidates.
“They are two excellent and concrete coaches who do not waste time inventing strange things,” said Cannavaro.
Regarding Serie A, Cannavaro shared his thoughts on the recent controversy surrounding Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez at Milan and the Juventus transfer window.
“There’s too much noise around it [Theo and Leao snubbing a cooling break against Lazio], hiding the real problems. They had just entered the pitch. They were not thirsty. If the coach needed to talk to them, he would have called them.
“Juventus had a great transfer window, but I didn’t expect Chiesa to Liverpool. However, after the enthusiasm of the first few days, Motta must introduce the new big players. Otherwise, it will be tough.”
During the same interview, Cannavaro also discussed the Ballon d’Or candidates, saying that Inter ace Lautaro Martinez is the only Serie A star who may play for European giants Real Madrid and Manchester City.
