With the 2016 UEFA European Championship set to begin this week, it remains somewhat surprising that Italy—perennially among the favourites to win such an event—are widely expected to underperform in this summer’s edition of the tournament.

Indeed, according to the Oddschecker website, no fewer than six teams are believed to have more chance of lifting the trophy, with the Azzurri available at an eye-opening 18-1 with some bookmakers.

Among the major reasons for this, as Bleacher Report’s own Sam Lopresti explained in this previous post, is the makeup of the squad selected by Antonio Conte.

The coach has omitted men such as Sassuolo‘s Domenico Berardi, Franco Vazquez of Palermo and Napoli midfielder Jorginho, instead opting for uninspiring choices such as Emanuele Giaccherini (Bologna), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain) and Eder (Inter Milan).

Yet if the four-time World Cup winners—who have tasted European Championship glory on only one occasion—are to enjoy success in France, their hopes undoubtedly rest on the block of Juventus players that has travelled en masse as part of the Azzurri setup. 

Having moulded Gigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini into a watertight unit during his own time in the dugout of Italian football’s grand Old Lady, Conte explained at a recent press conference how fortunate he is to be able to reunite them in the national team.

“Definitely, for us the defence is a certainty from which we start,” Conte said. “I’ve worked with these lads for many years, and I hope they can pass everything on. We all hope that they’ll give us a major boost. I also hope they can repeat their success for the national team.”

The launch of their glory years in Turin coincided with the appointment of Conte in May 2011. Juventus turned to their former captain after finishing Serie A in seventh place for two consecutive seasons. 

“We won the Scudetto at the first time of asking and the success was all his,” Andrea Pirlo explained in his autobiography I Think, Therefore I Play (h/t BBC Sport), going on to label it “a triumph of bloody-mindedness that went beyond everyone’s expectations.”

They would add two more league titles before Conte left, as the Italian quit in the summer of 2014 and quickly took up his current role. What he left behind in Turin was a clear blueprint for success, one that remains intact even now—with Buffon and that trademark back three proving to be among the best defences ever assembled.

In their five title-winning campaigns, Juventus have conceded a total of just 111 goals, and while other players such as Stephan Lichtsteiner, Patrice Evra and Martin Caceres have featured heavily, it is the Italian quartet that forms the backbone of this almost impenetrable unit.

Over the 190 league games the club has played over the past five seasons, Buffon has missed just 22 and has managed to keep a staggering 96 clean sheets, but the trio in front of him have also been vital to that tally.

While the club captain has made 168 Serie A appearances over that period, Bonucci has recorded just two fewer, developing into a fine leader in the centre of that vaunted three-man back line as 2015/16 saw him become one of the best defenders in the world.

According to statistics taken from WhoScored.com, the 29-year-old averaged 1.1 tackles, 2.3 interceptions and 4.1 clearances per league game, also connecting with an impressive 87 per cent of his 63.6 pass attempts.

The same source shows that latter figure was a team-high, a fact that highlights Bonucci’s importance when Juve win possession, as the Viterbo native steps out into midfield with ease.

That was evident in Conte’s first game in charge of the national team, as Bonucci set up a goal for Ciro Immobile against the Netherlands (as seen in the video below).

He has weighed in with vital goals of his own this term, including a strike against former club Inter Milan and a penalty against the same opponent that sealed Juve’s place in the Coppa Italia final. Bonucci has also found the net for the Azzurri in qualifying for Euro 2016, scoring against Norway back in September 2014 to get the team on the road to France.

Yet his defence remains the main reason he is so highly regarded, with the block in the video below arguably deciding the destination of the Serie A title—his outstretched boot somehow denying Gonzalo Higuain the chance to score for Napoli.

Such play has won him many admirers, with Pep Guardiola featuring prominently among them. After his Bayern Munich side eliminated Juventus from the Champions League back in March, the Catalan coach felt prompted to tell reporters at his post-match press conference that Bonucci is “one of my favourite ever players.”

But he is of course not alone for club or country, and the man himself is clearly aware of the importance of playing beside his two team-mates in the national team, as he explained in a recent interview with the UEFA website (h/t Football Italia):

We know each other perfectly well having played together so well at Juventus, and when we get to the national team we don’t have to test too many defensive movements.

Giorgio and Andrea are two great champions, they can be very aggressive when we play with a three-man defence, while my role is to cover them when attackers press very well.

They’re two bulldogs, definitely among the best defenders in the world.

Despite both men struggling with injuries during 2015/16, the table below—compiled using statistics from WhoScored—shows both Barzagli and Chiellini still made a vital contribution to the success enjoyed by the Bianconeri.

Conte clearly has little doubts over their ability to maintain their club form when pulling on the blue shirt of Italy, with the quartet expected to start together with West Ham United’s Angelo Ogbonna—himself a former Juventus player—in reserve on the bench.

“It’s definitely an advantage to be able to count on three or four Juventus players who have played together for a long time,” Conte told UEFA‘s official website (h/t Football Italia). “They know each other perfectly. Of course we’ll try to build something spectacular on these solid foundations, because we also want to play attacking football. Balance will be important.”

While it remains to be seen if Italy do look to take the game to Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, Barzagli believes that the Bianconeri core—which set a new Serie A record by going 10 matches without conceding a goal—will at least give confidence to the rest of the side.

“Our defence is well-drilled, as we’ve been playing together for a very long time,” the 35-year-old told a press conference earlier this month. “We therefore feel confident around each other and hopefully that confidence spreads to the rest of the team. Hopefully we can be one of the strongest defences in Euro 2016.”

Given the lack of options ahead of them after Conte’s squad choices, the hopes of Italy adding to their 1968 European Championship triumph rest on the shoulders of the Juventus defence. Fortunately, the last five years have proved they are strong enough to carry them.

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Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho has denied any knowledge of a reported £23 million bid made by Paris Saint-Germain in an attempt to sign him from the Reds.

The Brazilian playmaker, who is on international duty at the Copa America Centenario, insisted he had not been told about an offer and is concentrating on playing with the Selecao, per Goal (h/t Yahoo Sports).

“As far as I know, there’s no offer,” Coutinho said. “I’m here with the national team, this subject is for my representatives. More important for me is to be here, focused on the national team and having a good tournament. That’s where my head is.”

Coutinho, 23, is arguably Liverpool’s best and most important player, and the Reds will be desperate to keep him at the club over the summer, but, along with PSG, Barcelona have also been reported as interested in signing him, per Marca‘s Joshua Byers.

Byers’ report suggested PSG’s initial bid of just over €30 million (£23.6 million) is “nowhere near enough money to tempt Liverpool into selling” but hinted that Barca may be willing to offer significantly more.

However, surely only an astronomical bid would be acceptable to Liverpool, and it has long been expected that Barca will not splash out on attacking players this summer—they already have Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar—per the Mirror‘s Ed Malyon:

The former Inter Milan player’s reluctance to completely rule out a move away from Liverpool could be a concern for the Reds, though.

Moving the impetus onto his “representatives” will hardly fill Liverpool fans with confidence that Coutinho plans to stay at Anfield. 

PSG’s interest in him will also be increasing, as he is showing fine form at the Copa.

His hat-trick in Brazil’s 7-1 drubbing of Haiti showed him at his best, the first goal a stinging 20-yard finish after a driving run, the second an opportunistic tap-in and the third a textbook curled effort from outside the box, per the Anfield Wrap:

And PSG have the financial power to up their bid significantly if they feel Coutinho is the man to bolster their squad following the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

They also can offer Coutinho UEFA Champions League football and title-winning potential, not something currently on the cards at Liverpool despite their improvement under manager Jurgen Klopp.

The good news for Liverpool is that Coutinho is still tied to his contract until 2020, meaning that he will either stay at the club or leave for a large transfer fee.

However, despite dismissing the PSG bid claims, he did not close the door on a potential departure, and it seems likely the French giants may move again for Coutinho over the summer.

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Real Madrid have reportedly set their asking price for the much sought-after Alvaro Morata at €75 million (£59 million) with Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich all interested in the Spanish striker.

Morata is currently a Juve player, but Real are set to activate the €32 million (£25 million) buyback clause on their former player before selling him on to the highest bidder, per Marca.

According to Calciomercato, the Old Lady “won’t offer more than €25 million (£19.7 million),” in order to buy him back—totalling a €57 million (£44.8 million) offer if the return clause is added—but, for Real, “€75 million (£59 million) is the asking price, with €65 million (£51.1 million) accepted.”

Morata, 23, is currently one of the hottest young properties around after enjoying two successful seasons with Juventus—winning back-to-back domestic doubles—and proving that he is a man for the big occasion, per Squawka Dave:

It is clear that Juve are loath to let him go, but they will be powerless if Real activate their buyback clause, and the Serie A giants will have to endure a convoluted repurchase process if they want him for next season.

Per Marca‘s report, United manager Jose Mourinho is interested in reuniting with Morata—to whom he gave a senior debut at Real—while Calciomercato reported Chelsea and PSG’s interest, and indicated Bayern are “piqued, if not as involved as the others.”

Barely could there be a more high-profile selection of suitors for Morata and, if all the clubs mentioned are interested, Real can effectively set their price.

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe previously suggested Sevilla may be a good destination for Morata, but it is unlikely the UEFA Europa League champions will be able to contend financially with the likes of United, Chelsea and PSG:

Meanwhile, Real have also reportedly priced midfielder Mateo Kovacic at €25 million (£19.7 million), but primary suitors Juve are only prepared to go as high as €20 million (£15.8 million) and are also considering “offering a loan with option to buy,” per Calciomercato.

Los Blancos signed the 22-year-old Croatian from Inter Milan for €32 million (£22.5 million) last August, but he has failed to make much of an impression at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

He started only eight times in La Liga in 2015-16 and only three times in Real’s triumphant UEFA Champions League campaign, missing out on a place in the squad for the final win over Atletico Madrid, per WhoScored.com.

Per Calciomercato, however, Juve have been interested in Kovacic since his time at Dinamo Zagreb and are keen to offer him a way out of Madrid if the two sides can agree on a price.

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Real Madrid have reportedly set their asking price for the much sought-after Alvaro Morata at €75 million (£59 million) with Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich all interested in the Spanish striker.

Morata is currently a Juve player, but Real are set to activate the €32 million (£25 million) buyback clause on their former player before selling him on to the highest bidder, per Marca.

According to Calciomercato, the Old Lady “won’t offer more than €25 million (£19.7 million),” in order to buy him back—totalling a €57 million (£44.8 million) offer if the return clause is added—but, for Real, “€75 million (£59 million) is the asking price, with €65 million (£51.1 million) accepted.”

Morata, 23, is currently one of the hottest young properties around after enjoying two successful seasons with Juventus—winning back-to-back domestic doubles—and proving that he is a man for the big occasion, per Squawka Dave:

It is clear that Juve are loath to let him go, but they will be powerless if Real activate their buyback clause, and the Serie A giants will have to endure a convoluted repurchase process if they want him for next season.

Per Marca‘s report, United manager Jose Mourinho is interested in reuniting with Morata—to whom he gave a senior debut at Real—while Calciomercato reported Chelsea and PSG’s interest, and indicated Bayern are “piqued, if not as involved as the others.”

Barely could there be a more high-profile selection of suitors for Morata and, if all the clubs mentioned are interested, Real can effectively set their price.

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe previously suggested Sevilla may be a good destination for Morata, but it is unlikely the UEFA Europa League champions will be able to contend financially with the likes of United, Chelsea and PSG:

Meanwhile, Real have also reportedly priced midfielder Mateo Kovacic at €25 million (£19.7 million), but primary suitors Juve are only prepared to go as high as €20 million (£15.8 million) and are also considering “offering a loan with option to buy,” per Calciomercato.

Los Blancos signed the 22-year-old Croatian from Inter Milan for €32 million (£22.5 million) last August, but he has failed to make much of an impression at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

He started only eight times in La Liga in 2015-16 and only three times in Real’s triumphant UEFA Champions League campaign, missing out on a place in the squad for the final win over Atletico Madrid, per WhoScored.com.

Per Calciomercato, however, Juve have been interested in Kovacic since his time at Dinamo Zagreb and are keen to offer him a way out of Madrid if the two sides can agree on a price.

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Jose Mourinho is the third permanent manager in charge of Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, and both of his predecessors have bought in players with whom they were already familiar.

David Moyes signed Marouane Fellaini from Everton—a signing many United fans continue to bemoan. Louis van Gaal brought in Daley Blind and Memphis Depay whom he knew from the Netherlands national team, Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich, Victor Valdes from Barcelona and Sergio Romero had been his goalkeeper at AZ Alkmaar.

Mourinho has a rich assortment of former players to choose from. His time at Inter Milan came to an end six years ago, and though United have been heavily linked with one of his charges from that period—more on that to follow—most of these names are from his two most recent clubs.

His tenure at Real Madrid ended in 2013 and there are plenty of players still performing at a high level whom he managed there. He also guided Chelsea to the 2014/15 Premier League title.

Unfortunately, Cristiano Ronaldo looks unlikely to be set for a reunion with either Mourinho or Old Trafford. The three-time Ballon d’Or winner told AS (h/t Sky Sports), “I am going to retire at Real Madrid at more than 40 years of age. I am very happy here and I work hard to achieve that.”

With Ronaldo ruled out, let’s take a look at some players Mourinho could bring along for his new Old Trafford ride.

Willian

One of the first former Mourinho players linked with United in the wake of his arrival was Chelsea’s Brazilian attacker Willian.

Shaun Custis of the Sun wrote on 25 May: “It is understood Willian, 27, would be keen to link up with his former boss again.” 

That may be, but it seems remarkably unlikely that Chelsea would be prepared to sell one of the few players who actually had a good season in 2015/16.

If they could somehow be persuaded, though, he would make an excellent addition to the United squad.

He played 30 league and European games on the right of a 4-2-3-1 last season, and right wing is certainly one of the positions United could do with strengthening. His five goals and six assists in the Premier League were added to by five goals and an assist in the UEFA Champions League. 

Per Custis, Willian said:

Jose is one of the most successful coaches in the world and Manchester United will be stronger with him as manager.

I played some of my best football under Mourinho. He is a special coach and I
have a great relationship with him.

Willian certainly never let his former manager down. He averaged 2.6 key passes per 90 minutes of Premier League football last season in a badly underperforming Chelsea side. That is considerably more than anyone in a United shirt managed. 

His direct style is shown in his dribbling statistics—he took on his man an average of 4.1 times per 90 minutes in the league, succeeding with 2.7 of those. Only Anthony Martial in the United side attempted more—6.2 per 90 minutes, succeeding with 2.9. 

Willian would add balance to United’s attack, but with no pressing reason for Chelsea to sell one of their few guaranteed performers, this one seems a long shot.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

A more likely arrival would seem to be Mourinho‘s former Inter charge, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

While the rumour mill is still mid-churn on the Swedish striker’s future, he will shortly be out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain and has been heavily linked with a move to United.

Mark Ogden of the Independent reported on Wednesday: 

Manchester United are ready to allow Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Paris Saint-Germain contract to expire on June 30 before securing the forward on a free transfer next month.

Ibrahimovic, 34, is set to become Jose Mourinho’s first signing at Old Trafford after positive talks between United and the player’s representative, Mino Raiola.

But with both Ibrahimovic and Raiola due to receive a lucrative loyalty bonus from PSG should he see out his contract at the Parc des Princes, United are prepared to wait until the Sweden captain officially becomes a free agent before formalising a one-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months, worth £250,000-a-week.

For more on what Ibrahimovic could bring to United, see here. 

Nemanja Matic

On Tuesday, Anthony Chapman of the Sun wrote: 

Chelsea star Nemanja Matic has told new boss Antonio Conte he wants to join Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho brought the Serb back to Stamford Bridge during his second spell with the Blues and is hoping to sign him again this summer.

Matic, unlike Willian, was one of those who attracted a good deal of criticism for his performances in Chelsea’s awful title defence in Mourinho‘s final season.

In SB Nation’s Chelsea blog, We Ain’t Got No History, David Pasztor wrote: 

It strikes me as rather crazy for Mourinho to dip into the Chelsea well for any of the players who so famously betrayed all his hard work this season, but things don’t always make sense in Silly Season. Matic struck a distinctly unhappy figure towards the end of the season, having dropped down in the pecking order behind John Obi Mikel, so perhaps it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him leave.

The 27-year old would be an interesting acquisition in terms of United’s existing midfielders. Given that Mourinho is likely to opt for a 4-2-3-1 in most games, Matic could line up alongside Morgan Schneiderlin in a combination that would provide a good deal of defensive solidity.

Michael Carrick could also feature in games where opponents were less likely to apply a lot of physical pressure, assuming he remains at the club. For all the veteran’s waning physical characteristics, the latter part of last season showed his eye for a pass remains.

What it would mean for the United futures of Ander Herrera, Fellaini, Schweinsteiger and even Wayne Rooney remains unclear.

In Chelsea’s title winning season, Matic made an enormous contribution. He made 3.7 of the 5.9 tackles he attempted per 90 minutes of league football. He added 2.1 interceptions per 90 minutes, a number which increased to 2.5 last season.

He also has a knack for carrying the ball out of defensive midfield into more attacking areas. He succeeded with 1.6 of the 2 dribbles he attempted on average per 90 minutes in the league in 14/15.

There are big questions to be asked, though, about how steeply his performances dropped off last season. Was his initial impact on re-entry to the Premier League some kind of fluke? Or were the travails of last season the exception to the rule?

Mourinho is probably better placed than anyone other than Matic himself to answer that question. If he is convinced that the Serbia international would help fortify Old Trafford, few would argue.

There are other players to consider, from a dream signing like Luka Modric to the nightmare of the potential arrival of John Terry—a perennial hate figure for United fans.

Mourinho has worked with some of the game’s greats. For now, in a way they were never able to do with Moyes and quickly lost the ability to do with Van Gaal, the United faithful will trust that the Special One knows what he is doing if he chooses arrange a Manchester reunion with any of his former players.

Advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.

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Manchester United will reportedly battle with rivals Manchester City to bring Leonardo Bonucci to the club this summer. 

That’s according to La Stampa (h/t calciomercato.com), which has stated while Chelsea were initially expected to be the team that would go after Bonucci, the two local rivals have emerged as the main candidates, with both seeking to rebuild the defensive structure of their respective sides.

It’s also made clear that while managers Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are keen to acquire the 29-year-old, Juve “does not want to sell its defensive lynchpin.”

Bonucci has been such a vital player for the Bianconeri, excelling in a three-man defence under incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte, then for Massimiliano Allegri in the same setup and in a back four. Here is a look at what makes the former Inter Milan man such a special footballer:

In Turin he has blossomed into a wonderful stopper, playing an important role in Juventus’ five successive Scudetto triumphs.

Alongside Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, and with Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks, the Bianconeri’s defensive shape has been impenetrable at times. These numbers from WhoScored.com are an indication of just how effective the triumvirate have been at the base of this successful spell in the club’s history:

Bonucci would tick a lot of boxes for both Mourinho and Guardiola. For the former, the rugged defensive presence he provides will be particularly appealing, as the Italian is a player that relishes physical battles and committing in the tackle. Additionally, he’s a superb distributor and a very intelligent player, attributes the latter coach would love to harness.

However, getting him out of Turin will be difficult. “I’m happy in Turin, my family is happy here,” said the player himself recently to Quotidiano Sportivo (h/t ESPN FC’s David Amoyal). “I’m proud to be part of Juve and see no reason to leave.”

The Italian giants are certainly a team on the up and will want to fight for the UEFA Champions League this season. While the Premier League, Mourinho and Guardiola may be enticing prospects for the player, so too will that challenge.

Hirving Lozano Approach Revealed

Pachuca’s vice-president Andres Fassi has confirmed that Manchester United have made an offer for their 20-year-old winger Hirving Lozano.

“There have been approaches [from United],” he said, per Jack Gaughan of the MailOnline. “There will be time to focus on the future of [Lozano]. Over] several years [we have] a structure of great relationship with many teams of England, in Portugal in Spain, in France, in Italy and in Germany. There are some agreements that allow the player to go to Europe in the future.”

The Mexico international is rated as one of the country’s most exciting young prospects having excelled with Pachuca last term. He netted 12 goals in total and dazzled with his pace and quick feet. Here are some of his best moments:

Lozano would excel in a lot of categories when it comes to the standard United blueprint. He’s direct, skilful and willing to take risks in the final third; FOX Sports’ Keith Costigan was struck by his talent early in the player’s career:

It’d be a big step up for the Mexican, although United have had success buying from the Liga MX previously; Lozano’s international team-mate Javier Hernandez, now of Bayer Leverkusen, was a big hit in his first season in the Premier League, helping his club to the title.

Expecting similar things of Lozano would be unfair if he was to make a move, although the talent is evidently there for him to become a big hit wherever he opts to play his football. With chief scout Jim Lawlor said to have “made checks” on the player personally according to Gaughan, it seems as though the Red Devils’ interest is very real indeed.

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Gigi Buffon had a stellar 2015/16 campaign, the 38-year-old arguably enjoying the best season of his career and setting a new Serie A record of 973 minutes without conceding a goal. He did so during a streak of 10 consecutive clean sheets—another new league-high mark—on his way to an incredible tally of 21.

That was six more than any other player despite the Bianconeri captain playing just 35 games, highlighting the gulf between him and the other goalkeepers on the peninsula.

Buffon was rewarded with a new contract and told a press conference to announce the deal that he was “looking forward to the next two years.”

While the Old Lady can be confident of the veteran’s ability to perform over that period, what has also become apparent is that she must begin to prepare for life after the Italy international calls time on his incredible career.

It is a frightening prospect, but it is one that the club has seemingly been preparing for over the past few seasons, signing a number of talented goalkeepers who could one day replace the skipper.

Brazil native Norberto Neto arrived last summer on a free transfer, but perhaps the most interesting prospect was snapped up by the Turin giants four years ago.

Nicola Leali signed a five-year contract for Juventus in June 2012 and discussed the significance of the move with club’s official website (h/t Sky Sports):

This is a dream come true.

To join such a prestigious club at my age is extremely gratifying and a great motivation to keep developing further.

Being part of the same club as a champion like Gigi Buffon is hugely satisfying, but it also makes me realise how much I will have to work for the opportunity to repay the trust placed in me.

Having previously spent time with Brescia in the top two divisions, he would make a few brief pre-season appearances for the Bianconeri before being sent on loan to Lanciano and Spezia in Serie B.

He then spent the 2014/15 campaign in the top flight with Cesena but was unable to help the Seahorses avoid relegation, meaning that last summer saw him once again looking for another club.

On July 13, Juventus announced via their official website that he would spend the season with Frosinone, another small club where Leali could expect to see his goal come under major pressure.

There would seemingly be little competition for the 23-year-old with the newly promoted side, but the Canarini were immediately proved to be outmatched in Serie A, opening the campaign with losses to Torino, Atalanta, AS Roma and Bologna.

Week five of the season would be something of a watershed moment for both the club and their underfire goalkeeper, however, heading to Juventus Stadium with few giving them hope of emerging with a positive result.

Yet they would manage to do just that, eventually snatching a share of the points in the 1-1 draw. However, they were only able to do so after Leali had frustrated his parent club, with ESPN FC showing he had made no fewer than six saves over the course of 90 minutes.

The same source showed he had made a staggering nine in the loss to Atalanta—including a penalty save from Mauricio Pinilla—and would continue to impress as a difficult campaign progressed for coach Roberto Stellone’s men.

The January transfer window would allow Frosinone to add Francesco Bardi to their squad, the Inter Milan man—who had kept Leali out of the Italy Under-21 side—arriving on a six-month loan deal. He was fielded in a 3-3 draw with AC Milan in early May but suffered an injury in the following week’s loss to Sassuolo.

Having battled in the relegation zone all season, Frosinone were unable to avoid the drop and their defensive woes make it difficult to properly analyse the standard of Leali’s play as he was continually left exposed by a subpar back line.

He had reminded the Bianconeri of his quality with another solid display in February’s rematch; conceding twice but pulling off another string of excellent saves that underlined his natural ability and added to his case to one day represent Italian football’s grand Old Lady.

By the end of the season, Leali had managed to keep seven clean sheets in 33 Serie A appearances, plus another one in the Coppa Italia. Statistics courtesy of Fox Soccer show that only Emiliano Viviano of Sampdoria (194) had faced more shots than the Frosinone man’s tally of 178, a figure he shared with Palermo captain Stefano Sorrentino.

The same source shows that only Viviano (140) and Sorrentino (123) were the only players to make more saves than Leali, who managed to repel no fewer than 120. Looking at the table below, what is even more impressive—given that goalkeepers mature much later in their careers—is his age compared to those around him.

Standing out as the only one of the division’s top six shot-stoppers still in his 20s, he still has much to learn. His distribution, particularly when throwing the ball out, is remarkably poor, but that is an aspect of his play that he can work on in the coming years, while his natural agility is second to none.

While many of his statistics clearly depend upon the performances of his team-mates and the coaching they receive, it is worth looking at what Leali achieved this season compared with the previous campaign.

The table below—compiled using data from Fox Soccer, WhoScored.com and the Squawka website—offers a glimpse into that, showing his passing and ability to claim crosses had got statistically worse while his punching and percentage of saves had risen.

All in all it was a fine season for the young netminder, who has begun to attract attention from other clubs ahead of the 2016/17 campaign. Indeed, the Calciomercato website (h/t Football Italia) has listed Atalanta, Empoli, Fiorentina and Deportivo La Coruna with a move for Leali, who will undoubtedly be loaned out again next term.

He has yet to hit the kind of form that would lead the Bianconeri to see him as Buffon’s long-term heir at present, but that new two-year contract for their captain means that the Lombardy native has plenty of time to grow into that role.

“He’s a promising youngster,” Italian goalkeeping legend Dino Zoff told the La Stampa newspaper (h/t Football Italia) back in 2012. “When you buy a player of that age then you are trying to secure the future.”

Based on his performances for Frosinone this term, Leali could—if he continues to mature and develop the way he has—prove to be just that.

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Atletico Madrid‘s summer recruitment drive will be made with the idea that they can go one step further next year both at home and abroad, having ended third in La Liga and runners-up in the UEFA Champions League in 2015-16.

Diego Simeone‘s men have great quality and depth throughout the squad, but there’s no question they want to add another dimension to their attacking play. Our recent look at a transfer target for Los Rojiblancos saw how Edinson Cavani would fit the team, but he’s far from the only rumoured player that the side are looking at.

Another name in the frame is Inter Milan and Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia) suggested is wanted by several clubs including the Vicente Calderon outfit. The claim was that talks took place surrounding the player, with Atletico‘s Miguel Angel Gil and Inter’s Piero Ausilio involved from the clubs’ directorial boards.

Brozovic is undoubtedly a player of quality, which he’ll no doubt showcase while on duty for his nation at UEFA Euro 2016, and there’s certainly a case to make for him improving Atletico‘s overall squad.

Career path and 2015-16

Brozovic began playing senior football in Croatia at age 17, quickly moving up to the national league with a couple of moves which eventually landed him at Dinamo Zagreb, the most successful club in the top flight, the 1. HNL.

Having made his name known to the wider watching world of European football with some eye-catching performances at under-21 level for Croatia as well as in Europe with Dinamo, Brozovic was called up to the senior squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, even though he was uncapped. Since then, he has become a regular fixture in the national team, playing 17 times to date at age 23.

At club level he earned a move to Inter Milan in January 2015, though the Serie A side currently only have him on loan. Reports have been conflicting as to the specifics regarding the loan, but the most common seem to suggest Inter have an obligation to sign Brozovic permanently this summer for around €5-6 million, while Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Gazzetta World) reported recently that the deal had already been sealed.

This past season saw Brozovic play a pivotal role for Roberto Mancini, fulfilling a variety of midfield roles; early on in the campaign he struggled to find a regular spot in the team, yet from mid-November he played every Serie A match with the exception of one he was suspended for, and he played the full 90 minutes in all of Inter’s last 10 games.

Brozovic scored twice against Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg, though his team eventually lost on penalties.

Roles and traits

The term “complete midfielder” doesn’t quite apply to Brozovic, as he perhaps lacks the physicality to be a real ball-winner, but aggression and technical ability can be found throughout his game.

Equally comfortable as a box-to-box distributor of the ball or an attacking option who helps put the final touches on moves in the final third, Brozovic has played in a two-man midfield, as part of a three-man and solo as a No. 10. He can even filter out wide and be a movement-based outlet for his team in the right channel, though he certainly would never be classed as a winger.

An excellent first touch, the ability to play with his head up and a fantastic range of passes make Brozovic a standout in possession, one who thrives with movement ahead of him and within a strong tactical setup, something which hasn’t always been in evidence at ever-changing Inter.

Fitting Atletico

One area where Atletico Madrid don’t need any new faces is central midfield.

The established order at the end of last season saw captain Gabi partner either Augusto Fernandez, Koke or Saul, while Thomas Partey was the impact substitute. Tiago also returned from a long-term injury toward the end of the campaign and signed a one-year extension to his contract, while Mattias Kranevitter has so far seen limited action and may be loaned out in 2016-17, per Marca.

It’s a crowded area of the team, and while Brozovic is young and talented enough to compete for a spot, it would be a waste of investment. However, the Croatian’s versatility could come into play, along with that of the rest of Atleti‘s midfield.

Koke and Saul both regularly change positions and help balance the team out, switching easily from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3, and there’s little doubt that Brozovic would add to the fluid nature of the team.

The best example of his tactical intelligence in this sense can be seen at international level: Watch Croatia at Euro 2016, and the rotating cast of Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Brozovic will be seen alternately pushing on from central midfield to support the front line, with the other two standing their ground centrally. Brozovic has no problem with adaptation in a tactical sense, and on a social level he seemed to also adapt easily to life in Serie A.

His work rate and industry should also impress Simeone.

Suitability?

It’s not as straightforward as simply saying that Brozovic would or would not be a good signing.

Yes, he has quality to shine in Atletico‘s team, and yes, he seems an attainable purchase; Brozovic himself suggested he would talk to Inter regarding his future after the Euros, according to Jutarnji (h/t Football Italia), but the likes of Arsenal have also been heavily linked by Charlie Phillippe of the Express, and Mancini rates his midfielder so highly he said the midfielder would “become one of the best,” per FourFourTwo.

To cap it off, Inter have recently sold 70 per cent ownership to Chinese group Suning Commerce, who promise an injection of funds. It’s possible they would hold out for more money or refuse to sell—though Inter have had a habit of selling their best players and failing to really build success in recent years.

There’s no doubt Atletico would be a good step up for the player himself, but Atleti must make sure they still have sufficient funds for the genuinely top-class striker they need first, as well as depth at full-back, before embarking on a chase for what might be a luxury addition in an already cluttered midfield zone.

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Liverpool are reportedly set to bid for Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs this summer, with manager Jurgen Klopp said to be keen on bolstering his options at left-back.

That’s according to Wayne Veysey of Football Insider, who has stated there is a “growing likelihood” the 26-year-old will not be at the Emirates Stadium next season having fallen behind Nacho Monreal in the pecking order. Arsenal are said to want to cash in while they “can still command a high fee,” with a £12 million figure mooted.

That could potentially pave the way for the Reds to make an offer. After an inconsistent campaign for Alberto Moreno last term, it’s a position most supporters would love to see a fresh face. Football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor thinks there are other issues that need addressing at the back too:

Gibbs would be a start. While he’s not featured regularly in the first team for a while with the Gunners he is a player that has plenty of experience.

At his best the Arsenal man was pushing for a spot in the England starting XI. Gibbs is a player that has a lot of quality going forward and is able to overlap with purpose and fizz dangerous balls into the box. But he also possesses the energy to get back into defensive positions and cover his centre-backs.

He’s very much in the mould of a footballer that Klopp would like to add to his squad. Not only does he have talent to tap into, but after a spell out of the Arsenal side having lost his place, Gibbs will be hungry to prove he has what it takes to thrive at the top level.

Despite his diminished squad status, World Soccer Talk’s Chris Moore feels as though keeping the England man on board is important for the Gunners to provide squad depth:

It may not be the most illustrious name Liverpool go after this summer, but if they can get a deal done for a decent price then Gibbs could pose a swift solution to their left-back problems. For the player a fresh start at a venue like Anfield would likely be invigorating too.

Dani Alves Encourages Philippe Coutinho to Consider Exit

Philippe Coutinho should think about leaving Liverpool this summer if Barcelona make an offer for him, according to the player’s Brazil team-mate Dani Alves.

According to Paul Joyce of the Daily Express, Paris Saint-Germain and two other clubs from Europe have shown an interest in Coutinho recently, with Barcelona’s previous interest in the player noted. Alves thinks the 23-year-old has to listen if the Blaugrana do want him.

“Football is about living the moment,” Alves, who will leave the Camp Nou this summer, told Yahoo Esportes (h/t Dev Trehan of Sky Sports) “Liverpool have history but you should consider playing for top UEFA Champions League sides. He has the quality to play for Barcelona.”

Coutinho has become hugely popular at Anfield since joining from Inter Milan in January 2013. These numbers from WhoScored.com offer an insight into why:

The Brazilian would be a very tough man to replace. He can thrive in any of the three positions behind the centre-forward and under Klopp showcased a willingness to get on the ball to make key contributions in the final third. His touch, awareness and powerful long-range shooting make the Reds such a threat when putting their attacking patterns together.

But for a player in that particular mould, Barcelona is surely the best place in the world to play your football. Plus with no European football on Merseyside next season, the player would perhaps be tempted should the Spanish champions make a move. It’d take a massive amount to be bid before the Reds even consider cashing in, though.

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The USA kick off the 2016 edition of the Copa America on Friday when they take on Colombia at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

The tournament celebrates its centenary this year, and the hosts will be making just their fourth appearance alongside the giants of South American football, and they’ll be facing the team ranked third in the world by FIFA.

With Costa Rica and Paraguay also comprising the tricky Group A, a win is vital for both sides if they’re to reach the knockout phase of the competition.

Here is the schedule for the opener, complete with viewing information and the latest odds for the match, courtesy of Odds Shark:

The match can be streamed live via Fox Sports Go.

Preview

Colombia won their last two meetings with the U.S. when they met in friendlies in 2010 and 2014, but there’s little to separate them in the odds.

The USA have enjoyed a strong preparation for the tournament, winning all three of their warm-up games—including two friendlies with fellow Copa America contenders Ecuador and Bolivia.

USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann has brought an injection of youth into the team, and so far it’s paying off—the average age of their last eight goalscorers is 23, per U.S. Soccer. Their most precocious talent is Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic, who showed off his skills in the 1-0 win over Ecuador, per SB Nation:

He followed up that excellent performance with a well-taken goal in the 4-0 rout of Bolivia, per U.S. Soccer:

His form gives him an excellent chance of starting against Colombia despite his tender age, and the likes of DeAndre Yedlin and Gyasi Zardes could also feature. Per U.S. Soccer, Klinsmann has been pleased with their progress:

This is a process, and the process is never ending. But in the first couple of years when you’re a pro, it’s a big learning curve. We’ll take it one step at a time. We put the pieces together for this tournament the best way that we get the right results.

What is wonderful to see is just the growth of these players over the last one or two years, how they really improved their game, how they’re becoming more adult, obviously stronger physically but also becoming more confident.

La Tricolor also boast some outstanding youth talent, with 19-year-old Marlos Moreno catching the eye in particular.

ESPN’s Juan G. Arango ran the rule over his abilities, which Colombia boss Jose Pekerman has evidently recognised, per football writer Carl Worswick:

Colombia also have a healthy sprinkling of top European-based talent in their team, with Real Madrid star James Rodriguez, Inter Milan’s Jeison Murillo and AC Milan’s Carlos Bacca among their best and brightest.

Captain Rodriguez disappointed in last year’s Copa America and endured a poor season in the Spanish capital, so the pressure will be on for a good tournament here.

The 24-year-old played no part in the UEFA Champions League final and completed 90 minutes just five times under Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, so he should be fresh.

James has the ability to make a game-changing contribution—a sublime defence-splitting pass or 30-yard strike into the top corner—even when not playing at his best, and he’ll need to be able to produce that kind of magic for Colombia to overcome the USA, who will fancy their chances of getting a result in front of their home crowd.

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