Davide Frattesi has announced that he has made a choice regarding where he wants to move in the summer but acknowledged that not everything always goes to plan.
Milan are about to sell Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United in a deal that will see them net over €70m as per widespread reports, so now the management must look to use that money to rebuild a midfield that is already short on depth and quality.
The Rossoneri have been heavily linked with a move to Frattesi, who could pick up from Tonali’s departure in terms of bringing Italian influence to the midfield in his preferred mezzala role, however there is a lot of competition.
Inter are widely believed to be the frontrunners to sign him, and the Sassuolo man sat down with La Gazzetta dello Sport to reveal some things about the way he sees his future going.
Davide, do you often check your phone these days?
“Not really. I asked my agent Riso to notify me only when almost everything is done and so I condemned myself to self-destruction. He is hermetic. His collaborators are terrified of Riso and tell me nothing. Luckily my grandmother Stefania is here: every day she sends me the press review made by her. Fantastic.”
What effect does reading about the market derby between Inter and Milan for you, as well as the interest of Juventus?
“It’s a good feeling, I can’t deny it. But now I’m a little anxious: I would like the situation to be defined. And I think of my grandfather Carmine, who read the newspapers, loved football and today he would be very happy.”
You will understand that I cannot ask you what the sea is like in Ibiza. So… are Inter ahead?
“Ahahah… But you will understand that this time I can’t be without filters as in the other interviews. It would not be correct to indicate a team because negotiations can die suddenly.
“But I’ll try to be extremely honest: I chose the team. And I’m sure my attorney will find a way to accommodate me, otherwise I’ll send him… to the sea. But I feel that there are other clubs interested in me.”
What is the first discriminant of his choice?
“The role. I’m a midfielder and I want to be exploited for my characteristics. I think it’s normal. [An example] She likes to write, if she is asked to present a TV show, maybe she thinks about it, but then tries to continue writing. Here, for me the concept is the same.”
You would join Barella at Inter, you both prefer the centre-right. Would it be a problem?
“Absolutely no. I can start on the left, so when I focus I shoot with my good foot. That with the other I sometimes do damage…”
Wouldn’t internal competition scare you?
“No, it would affect me in a positive way: when I have to prove something, I can give more.”
Does the Champions League – which you would have with the Milanese teams but not with Juve – affect your choice?
«I think about it, I would like to play in it, but that’s not the first thing. The project matters more. Just as it doesn’t change going to a team ready to win or to rebuild: I would be charged in the same way. At 23, it’s time to take on certain responsibilities.”
The sale of Tonali has suddenly opened the channel with Milan, who are looking for a great midfielder, and there have been offers from abroad too. Is there closure on his part?
“I can only tell you what I guaranteed to Giovanni Carnevali: if irrevocable offers arrive, we listen to them. Indispensable eh.”
The 4-2-3-1 is not ideal due to your characteristics…
“In Sassuolo I played that system with good results in the first year, thanks to Dionisi. But the fact remains that with three I can give more.”
Davide, did you know that with the shirt of a top club on, if you have a bad game criticism rains down?
“That’s the beauty of it. I want to do my best from the first to the last game.”
