Fiorentina

Fiorentina starlet Federico Chiesa has said he won't let his reported €75 million valuation alter his focus amid links to the likes of Juventus and Manchester United, and he also discussed his father, Enrico Chiesa, and Viola legend Davide Astori, who died last year.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport magazine Sportweek (h/t Football Italia), the Italy international said any offers that arrive will be evaluated by La Viola above all.

He also pointed at his father, underlining the strong connection the family has with the club:

"It is a strange feeling if you think about it, but that is my secret, that I don't consider the transfer market valuation at all. I just try to focus on doing well on the pitch.

"Fiorentina will be the ones to evaluate any offers, if they come in. I am only in my third season as a professional football player, so I've achieved nothing yet.

"Fiorentina won the Coppa Italia in 2001, with Nuno Gomez and Enrico Chiesa upfront. It'd be wonderful to imitate Dad. I thank my parents for preparing me so well, including insisting that I learn English, as it comes in very handy when trying to communicate with foreign teammates. The coach wants us to speak Italian in the locker room, but sometimes I act as a hidden translator."

Enrico Chiesa spent his career hopping from one Italian club to the other but enjoyed some of his best years with Fiorentina.

He has instilled a strong love for the club in his two sons, who shared a special moment when Federico scored a goal in September:

Corriere dello Sport recently linked the 21-year-old with a host of top clubs, including United, Juventus, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich (h/t TalkSport's Sean O'Brien).

He's been linked to Juventus for some time already, and La Stampa previously reported the Bianconeri secured an option on his signature when they sent Marko Pjaca to Florence (h/t Calciomercato.com).

Sportswriter Liam Canning hopes Chiesa ends up at United instead:

Just a casual hat-trick for Federico Chiesa tonight against Roma. Should most certainly be one of the leading candidates for Manchester United's right wing. Only 21.

— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 30, 2019

Chiesa has long been regarded as one of Italian football's finest talents, and he's in the midst of a breakout campaign. He's scored seven goals since the start of 2019, including a hat-trick in a Coppa Italia win over AS Roma.

The winger appears to be maturing at a fast rate; where he previously relied mostly on his technique and athleticism, he's been playing with more patience and far better vision of late. Chiesa no longer makes countless mental mistakes and instead shows a high degree of football intelligence on the pitch, leading to more looks in better positions.

All of that is good news for Fiorentina, who have committed to several talented youngsters―including Diego Simeone's son Giovanni Simeone―and are determined to build around their youth.

There has been no indication Chiesa is looking to leave the club, and sports writer Chloe Beresford doesn't believe an exit is imminent:

5) An ode to the potential of #Fiorentina youngster Federico Chiesa and why it's likely he will stay put at least in the short-term.https://t.co/e9GpNrIGZk

— Chloe Digby (@ChloeDigby) January 9, 2019

Chiesa spoke about his relationship with Astori and how the Fiorentina captain helped him in his development prior to his death in March of last year:

"If Davide was still here, I'd tell him, you know when you would come to give me advice during training retreats? You kept saying: 'Fede, at times a simple, even banal, move can be the best solution for the team.'

"I would listen and stay silent. I just want to tell you, my captain, that you were absolutely right."

According to Football Italia, Chiesa and Astori were close.

Fiorentina are unbeaten since December 26 and will face Napoli in Serie A on Saturday.  

The death of Davide Astori has touched the football world. 

The Fiorentina captain died suddenly on Sunday, March 4. 

On Thursday, some legendary Serie A players and thousands of fans attended his funeral in Florence, Italy. 

Thousands of Fiorentina fans gathered in Florence on Thursday for the funeral of Davide Astori, the club's captain, who was found dead on Sunday ahead of a Serie A match against Udinese.

Per MailOnline's Jack Bezants, the 31-year-old's team-mates were in attendance at the service at the Santa Croce church as were the Juventus side, who flew back from London for the funeral after their 2-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League. 

The Old Lady players were warmly received by the Fiorentina faithful, per Italian football writer Adam Digby:

#Juventus flew directly from London to Florence to be at Davide Astori’s funeral. Their arrival was applauded by #Fiorentina fans #DA13 💜 pic.twitter.com/PVj9ql2kzC

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) March 8, 2018

Bezants added some fans arrived to line the streets up to three hours before the start of the service, while thousands applauded and chanted as Astori's coffin was driven past Stadio Artemio Franchi, the home of Fiorentina.

The Florentine outfit and fellow Serie A side Cagliari, where Astori plied his trade between 2008 and 2016, have both retired the No. 13 shirt in honour of the centre-back:

In honour of Davide #Astori's memory, @CagliariCalcio and #ACFFiorentina have decided to retire the No.13 shirt. #DA13⚜️ pic.twitter.com/fwuiCXjzL4

— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) March 6, 2018

Giorgio Chiellini paid an emotional tribute to Astori after Juve's defeat of Spurs, per BT Sport Football:

"He's always in our heart, tomorrow we go to give our last 'ciao' together with our teammates."

Georgio Chiellini pays a powerful tribute to his friend and colleague Davide Astori 👏 pic.twitter.com/FyNdcFYXrT

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 7, 2018

A 14-time Italy international, Fiorentina announced Astori's shocking death Sunday due to a "sudden illness." 

This is the square in Florence for Davide Astori funeral.
There is nothing else to tell, may God give rest to his soul and strength to his family.

Never send to know for whom the bell tolls pic.twitter.com/6Y0xZaRIld

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) March 8, 2018

Sunday's Serie A fixtures were all subsequently postponed. He is survived by his partner, Francesca Fioretti, and their two-year-old daughter.  

Fiorentina captain Davide Astori has died aged 31, the club confirmed on Sunday morning.

The Serie A side posted the following on their Twitter account:

La Fiorentina profondamente sconvolta si trova costretta a comunicare che e' scomparso il suo capitano Davide Astori, colto da improvviso malore.
Per la terribile e delicata situazione,  e soprattutto per rispetto della sua famiglia si fa appello alla sensibilità di tutti. pic.twitter.com/bFGnkReWEC

— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) March 4, 2018

Fiorentina have confirmed that club captain Davide Astori has passed away at just 31 years old after a sudden illness. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/xbUfCtHQcU

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 4, 2018

"Fiorentina are profoundly shaken and forced to announce that their captain Davide Astori has died," the statement from the Serie A side read, per Adam Shergold of the MailOnline. "For this terrible and delicate situation, and above all out of respect for his family, we appeal to the sensitivity of the media."

As Football Italia reported, Astori became a father two weeks ago. A number of Serie A clubs were quick to pay their respects to the Italian:

On this day of tragedy, Juventus expresses its deepest condolences to Davide Astori’s family and Fiorentina.

— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) March 4, 2018

The club is devastated to learn of the death of Davide Astori. The thoughts of everyone at AS Roma are with the player's family, friends and teammates at this terrible and tragic time. pic.twitter.com/vDlL4LIkJr

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) March 4, 2018

A man who loved football and who grew up as footballer with us. #ACMilan are shocked by the passing of Davide #Astori. It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to his family and closed ones and to ACF Fiorentina

— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 4, 2018

Fiorentina were set to play Udinese in Serie A on Sunday, but the match at the Stadio Friuli has since been suspended, per Robin Bairner of Goal.

Per Football Italia, the match between Genoa and Cagliari, one of Astori's former clubs, was also called off on the same day. Serie A have confirmed all matches on Sunday will be postponed following Astori's death, including the Milan derby, per ESPN's Gabriele Marcotti.

As UEFA's Laure James relayed, it's been reported that Astori died in his sleep in his Udinese hotel having suffered a heart attack:

Reports claim he had suffered a fatal heart attack and was found in his hotel room in Udinese, who Fiorentina were due to play. Game obviously postponed.

— Laure (@LaureJames) March 4, 2018

The centre-back joined La Viola in 2016, having previously enjoyed spells with AC Milan, Cagliari and Roma. Astori also represented the Italian national team on 14 occasions.

UEFA's Vieri Capretta praised the personality and leadership skills the defender possessed:

Astori was a lovely guy, always available for a chat and had the balls ready to put his face in front of the camera when needed as a captain.
RIP

— Vieri Capretta (@VieriCapretta) March 4, 2018

The best spell of Astori's career came during a six-year stay with Cagliari, where he established himself as one of Serie A's most rounded centre-backs. The Italian was a graceful defender, who boasted a rich understanding of the game. In possession, Astori was renowned for his ability to distribute with precision.

In the 2017-18 Serie A campaign, he'd made 25 appearances for Fiorentina, who are 10th in the table, netting one goal.

Fiorentina had the chance to close the gap on the Serie A leaders when they hosted Torino on Sunday afternoon.

And thanks to Slovenian Josip Ilicic, they were in front midway through the first half.

The 27-year-old sent a curling free-kick into the top corner to put the home side in front after 24 minutes.

[Streamable]

Fiorentina's players thanked their dedicated supporters with a touching gesture at the club's first open training session of the year.

A staggering 7,500 fans turned up to watch the team train at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with the players showing their appreciation by forming a love heart in the centre circle and applauding the enthusiastic fans.

Second-placed Fiorentina return to Serie A action on Wednesday when they travel to face Palermo.

[YouTube: Fiorentina Uno, Twitter: @JamesHorncastle]

Preseason matches contain plenty of different meanings for players across the globe. For Fiorentina's Giuseppe Rossi, participating in the International Champions Cup will be special since he will get to play in New Jersey, where he was born. 

Rossi and the Viola will face Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on July 21 to open their tournament slate before heading to Rentschler Field in Hartford to face Benfica on July 24. 

“The last time (I played in Jersey) was when I was 12," Rossi told Bleacher Report. "That’s when I left the country. This is the first time my family and friends can actually see me play at a professional level back home." 

Rossi moved to Italy at the age of 12 to join Parma's youth side before he moved to Manchester United at 17. After spells at United and Villarreal, he linked up with Fiorentina in 2013. Since he left the country to pursue his career overseas, Rossi hasn't had the chance to play in front of his friends and family, until this summer. 

“First time I’m playing in America since I left. This is so special for me because I’m back home playing," Rossi said. 

He also added in compliments about Red Bull Arena, where the Viola will begin their preseason slate of matches.  

“I’ve been there as a spectator once or twice and the atmosphere is awesome. It’s awesome because it’s enclosed. It feels like you’re inside an English stadium. So that’s something that I've always wanted to experience," he said. 

The competition as a whole also presents Fiorentina with a chance to expand their brand in America along with the likes of Barcelona, PSG, Manchester United and Benfica. 

“First it’s a great opportunity to help the name Fiorentina grow. What’s a better place than coming to the ICC tournament, which in the past years have been making great strides in bringing soccer to the people in the U.S.," Rossi said. 

"The support we’ve seen each year with this tournament has been tremendous. It’s actually been surprising. So for us, it’s an honor to be at this tournament and it’s an honor to play against great teams like Paris Saint-Germain on July 21 and Benfica on July 24," he continued. 

One thing that has helped the tournament grow over the last few years is the increased interest in the sport across the United States. The enormous amount of support for soccer is something Rossi has witnessed from afar while plying his trade in Europe. 

“It’s grown incredibly, especially in the New Jersey/New York area. I see so much support for every team that comes and plays at either Red Bull Arena, MetLife Stadium or Yankee Stadium. That shows great strides that soccer has been making in the last 10-15 years, especially in the tri-state area," the owner of 30 caps for Italy said.

"With a tournament like the ICC where you’re bringing in Fiorentina and the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona, it just interests people. You have to tip your to hat to the people at the tournament for making this possible," he said. 

As for the Fiorentina squad specifically, they will be looking to build on their fourth-place finish in Serie A under new boss Paulo Sousa. 

“We just got a new coach so that’s something where we’re gonna talk about our objectives (in the preseason). One step at a time. Paulo Sousa has a lot of experience and he knows what it takes to win. He won with Basel last year so it’s an exciting time for us," the forward said. 

"As a collective in the past three years, we’ve done tremendous work with our style of play, which has been rated one of the best in Serie A. I think we’re fun to watch. That’s what everyone says around Europe. We’re going to try and bring that fun to watch style over here to the U.S.," Rossi said of the team's style. 

As a forward, Rossi is looking toward the PSG game for a potentially enticing matchup with the Parisians' center-back pairing of Thiago Silva and David Luiz. 

“You always like to compete against the best teams and players in the world. Even if it’s the first game of the season. It's always great to compete and see what level you are at personally no matter if it’s the first friendly or in the middle of preseason. I’m always looking at the back line. PSG has Thiago Silva and David Luiz. Those are the people I would like to go against because they’re considered the best in the world." 

In addition to the two matches in the United States, the Viola will face Barcelona at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on August 2 before they make a trip to Stamford Bridge on August 5. 

“That gets closer to the season so obviously we’ll be more in shape and in tune with each other. But that doesn’t take away what we’re gonna be capable of July 21 and 24. This is something we’ve been talking about for the last couple of months since we heard we were going to be a part of the tournament," Rossi said.

"For us, this is going to be the first time for some of the players to play in America. It’s something exciting and something you always wanted to do. The Chelsea match is going to be closer to our season opener and going out and playing in a stadium like that, with fans and team of that caliber, it’s going to be a special occasion." 

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

RT FutbolBible: Mohamed Salah just scored this incredible goal for Fiorentina vs. Juventus. What a beauty! https://t.co/6V2eaCXzYR #vine

— Tta (@_tta__) March 5, 2015

Mohamed Salah never really seemed to settle at Chelsea, but he has started his loan spell at Fiorentina like a house on fire. 

The Egyptian was already voted Serie A's best January signing before scoring this solo wonder goal against Juventus in the Coppa Italia on Thursday night. 

Salah joined Fiorentina on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season just before the end of the transfer window, with Juan Cuadrado going in the opposite direction in a permanent deal. 

https://twitter.com/TSBible/status/573573514109784065

Fiorentina have an option to buy him on a permanent basis in the summer, and it looks a pretty safe bet that they will be taking up that option. 

Unfortunately for them, Juventus were soon back level in the match thanks to an excellent header from Fernando Llorente.

VINE - Fernando Llorente ties it up for Juventus off the cross with a header #CoppaItalia https://t.co/iPJ2IFU6AP

— FanSided GIF (@FanSidedGIF) March 5, 2015

But Salah wasn't done there, and he scored his second in the second-half to put the Viola back in front. 

VINE - Salah gives Fiorentina the lead https://t.co/QhqcJpGVOf

— FanSided GIF (@FanSidedGIF) March 5, 2015

[Twitter, Vine]

Mario Gomez put Tottenham in a bigger hole in their Europa League clash, latching on to a through ball and giving Fiorentina a 1-0 (2-1 on aggregate) advantage. 

The German made no mistake with his left foot, beating Hugo Lloris early in the second half. 

Gooooooool! Mario Gomez! https://t.co/GoJ6BK0Hu1

— Calciofili Abusivi (@calcio_abusivi) February 26, 2015

Roberto Soldado made a mess of Tottenham's best chance of the match, hitting his pass too lightly during a two-on-one opportunity.

Mario Gomez has scored against #THFC! Any excuse to whip out the Mario Gomez button again http://t.co/Yriiv3yPpz pic.twitter.com/zq3Ve7JOcV

— BeanBagSports (@BeanBagSports) February 26, 2015

Mohamed Salah, on loan at Fiorentina from Chelsea, put Spurs to the sword late in the second half with the hosts' second goal. 

https://twitter.com/TheOddsBible/status/571015876184551425

Fiorentina held on to the lead and advanced 3-1 on aggregate. 

[Twitter]

In medieval times, the people would proclaim the death of a monarch with the words: “The king is dead, long live the king,” and, in football terms, it still rings true in Florence.

Cuadrado ruled over Fiorentina as the team's top scorer this season with six goals and four assists, but he was just the latest in a long line of players to hold court at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Sold for a king's ransom at £26.8 million, the Colombian’s departure should be mourned but fans would be wise to think of the bigger picture.

Deployed just behind the striker, the 26-year-old certainly gave the Viola a cutting edge, but he was unlikely to lead the club to Champions League qualification this season.

Sixth in Serie A and seven points off third-place Napoli, even with the Colombian to call on, Fiorentina had picked up just nine points from the last 18 available in the league.

Chelsea’s substantial offer for the 26-year-old was therefore tantamount to the same kind of cash injection the Viola would have received if they had qualified for Europe’s premiere cup competition.

After a summer in which Transfermarkt estimates the club spent £8.01 million on new signings, it was also a sum that could give the club the kind of impetus to go out and spend big at the end of the current campaign with a view to pushing for a top-three finish next term.

The Viola have done a fine job at papering over the cracks left in Cuadrado’s absence, with the most obvious effort being the recruitment of Mohamed Salah from Chelsea.

Signed on loan, the Egyptian can not only fill in for the Colombian in the Fiorentina attack, but could prove a valuable asset in the Europa League.

With Fiorentina due to face Tottenham in the knockout phase, Salah explained in an interview with the London Evening Standard why the tie is of personal significance:

I played against Spurs twice in the Europa League when I was at Basle and I scored an important goal that helped us qualify.

They were very good games for me. That was an important moment for me and for Basle. I also put in five assists in that competition and am fired up for this chance.

Like Cuadrado, Salah can play anywhere across the attacking front three, and it could prove to be a seamless transition, with the Egyptian’s European pedigree of seven goals in 24 Europa League and Champions League outings a major plus.

Eurosport’s Paul Parker certainly believes that Salah was given short shrift at Stamford Bridge and could use the spell in Italy to remind everyone of his undoubted talents:

He [Salah] couldn’t get a run of form and he tried too hard—but he was never given a proper opportunity. People said he failed, but what can you do if you are playing one game in 20?

In the meantime, the pragmatic approach of Montella has already bore fruit, with the Viola boss showcasing the message that there is life after Cuadrado courtesy of a 2-0 victory over AS Roma in the Coppa Italia.

Fiorentina had gone seven games without a win against the Giallorossi, but with the Viola manager keen to get revenge on his former club—who opted against turning his tenure as interim boss into a permanent one—a new approach was adopted.

With Cuadrado gone, Montella opted to start with two strikers up front as new arrival Alessandro Diamanti joined Mario Gomez.

A loan signing alongside fellow veteran Alberto Gilardino from Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande, Diamanti is the kind of left-field addition that has become Montella's trademark, having previously resurrected Luca Toni’s career following a spell in the Middle East.

In the midfield, the attack-minded Matias Fernandez was sacrificed in favour of the defensive Milan Badelj, with Fiorentina soaking up Roma’s early pressure before hitting them on the counter with two second-half goals.

The presence of Diamanti meant the Roma defence could no longer focus all their efforts on Gomez, and with their attention elsewhere, Gomez struck twice to continue the fine scoring run he's enjoyed since ending an eight-month drought back in November.

A serious knee injury may have hampered the ex-Bayern Munich striker’s initial impact, but with five goals in his last four outings for the Viola, it seems as though the 29-year-old is hitting form at the perfect time.

"We can say that we have forgotten about Juan Cuadrado," Montella told reporters after the game.

"Unfortunately he has gone, but before leaving we wished him good luck.

"We celebrated with him because he is going to play in a great environment, but we must look at the present and, above all, to the future with the players we've got, who give us ample opportunities."

Another player looking to take advantage of the opportunities created by Cuadrado’s exit is Josip Ilicic, who came on against Roma.

Signed from Palermo in 2013, the Slovenian is capable of playing a similar role to Cuadrado's and with more game time could start to show the form that convinced the club to sign him from the Rosanero.

Cuadrado’s departure could therefore end up having little impact on Fiorentina’s season, with the club more than prepared to cope with the loss of the Colombian and ready to compete for big-name targets in the summer.

More importantly for Montella, it sent out a message: No player is irreplaceable or more important than the club collective.

Fiorentina will adapt and survive like they did when Stevan Jovetic left the club. They could even end up stronger for the sale of Cuadrado.