The dust from a busy few days of transfer rumors to determine who would be Robin Gosens’s back-up has finally settled. La Dea inked Giuseppe Pezzella on a year long loan from recently demoted Parma, and in the process have garnered a youngster who’s ceiling has not been fully realized. With Atalantino Matteo Ruggeri off to Salernitana and Atalanta opting to forgo signing Gianluca Frabbotta, Pezzella has the opportunity to impress Gasperini as he looks to be next in-line to come through Atalanta’s factory of wingbacks.
Still only 23 years old, Pezzella had flashes at Parma last year but lacked consistency (like the entire Parma team for that matter). But with double digit caps under his belt for the Azzurri U-21 team, the man from Napoli may have found the perfect destination to hone his skills on the left side. He certainly made it clear on his excitement to join a team that has the development pedigree of Atalanta, and I surely don’t blame him. Perhaps a change in mindset too will unleash a new level of his game?!?
After acclimating myself with Pezzella’s skillset, he looks to offer much more value in support rather than Gosens’s aggressive attacking nature. An excellent crosser and retainer of the ball, Pezzella has no issues flying towards the goal line to pick out a cross – Hateboer’s gotta being licking his lips on this. This is a pretty valuable change of pace from Gosens, who is much more apt to cut inside, and if Gosens does cross it’s most likely to be further away from the goal line. The learning opportunities could be immense, given Pezzella already excels in one area Gosens couldn’t provide much tutelage. Yet, Robin could become the perfect gaffer to teach Pezzella the other wrinkles of the wingback system (like cutting inside), and what it takes to play furious offense and defense.
Atalanta didn’t have great luck on it’s wingback loanees last year, but the club still has to continue looking for the eventual Gosens replacement. Pezzella will have a perfect opportunity to grow into the role. And with plenty of Serie A experience already, I envision Gasperini will have much fewer reservations giving Giuseppe game time when the situation allows. With four capable wingbacks, Atalanta now looks comfortable at a spot where depth was a serious concern last year. Piece by piece the club is getting where it needs to be by late August, and Pezzella is a nice low risk, high reward option that could become Gasperini’s future answer on the wing. Welcome Giuseppe, and Forza Dea!!!
