Legnano, Italy. The site of one of the most tremendous battles of the medieval times is the birthplace yet another Italian warrior. Up-and-coming Matteo Darmian is one of the best wingbacks of this generation, and still has a lot of room left to grow.
Darmian got his career underway with AC Milan, but only made six appearances with the senior side, under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti way back in the 2006/2007 campaign. Matteo was then loaned out to the now extinct AC Padova in Serie B where he made 22 appearances for the Biancoscudati. After his loan spell with Padova, Milan sold him to Palermo Calcio where he began to thrive under several coaches.
In 2012, Palermo sold Darmian to Torino for a reported fee of €1.8 million, the rest after that is history.
Giampiero Ventura’s side went from Serie B to Serie A and eventually the Europa League. The Italian youngster was a part of the triumphant promotion side and made 150 appearances in total for Torino. In 2014, Matteo Darmian was included in the Italian World Cup preliminary squad with an outside chance of making Prandelli’s final 23. On a rainy day in London, Darmian made his debut for the Azzurri as the Italians took to the field against Ireland in Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage. The game ended 0-0 in front of a crowd of 22,000 and the Azzurri returned home for one final test before Brazil. In a dispirited match, during which Riccardo Montolivo ruled himself out of the World Cup with a fractured tibia, the new kid was one of very few who caught the eye.
The then 24 year-old Darmian made the final cut to the squad and traveled to Brazil, where Italy beat England but were unable to handle the well-prepared Costa Ricans, and eventually fell to Uruguay in heartbreaking fashion. Darmian played every minute of the World Cup, playing on both flanks for the Azzurri equally well. In a very dark time for the Italian national team, Matteo Darmian stood out as a bright spot in a side comprised of mediocrity and defeat.
With all that in mind, the youngster went on to win the Italian FA (FIGC) award ‘Il Pallone Azzurro’, the best Italian player of the year. Topping off a splendid season for the Torino full-back. Giampiero Ventura’s side went on to the Round of 16 in the Europa League, which surprised many as they overcame a tough draw at home against Athletic Bilbao, but then fell over two legs to Zenit St. Petersburg.
So here we are, today, with Matteo Darmian all but signed by Manchester United, arguably the most beloved club globally. Reports pin the move at a cost of around €18-20 million, therefore it must be said that this is not a cheap transfer, but with Darmian’s rap sheet, he is not exactly a “prospect player” in any regard. What Manchester United are getting is a solid, dependable, versatile full-back who can play on both flanks, in attacking or defensive positions. United fans could agree that with the defenders they have, an upgrade on the flanks is desperately needed.
Let’s assume Louis Van Gaal decides Darmian should play in a more defensive position after having experimented with 3-5-2 on numerous occasions last season. Luke Shaw, who was expected to be his first-choice wing-back is a €40m mistake so far: his Italian elder could prove double the deal for half the price.
For €18 million, it will be difficult to find a player quite like Darmian, with his experience and characteristics. Since his debut for Italy, Darmian has partaken in all but two matches (13 out of 15 in total), and consistently ranked high among Italian newspapers such as La Gazzetta dello Sport, La Stampa in others in terms of performance.
Luke Shaw also went to Brazil, but his international caps are still to be counted on one hand. Once the Mancunian fans push through the “#WhoIsDarmian” confusion, they will find that there is a lot to be excited about over the Italian.
On June 8th, Giampiero Ventura confirmed that “Darmian will play with Manchester United in the Champions League… It’s his dream” – and now it seems that the Italy international is set to take the Red Devils by storm for the 2015/16 campaign.
The post Darmian Done Deal: Manchester United’s Brilliant Move appeared first on Italian Football Daily.
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