Liverpool Exploring Strikes for Nicolo Rovella and Mateo Retegui
Liverpool’s recruitment plans for the summer time window are starting to take form, with two Italy internationals now beneath critical consideration. Sources point out that sporting director Richard Hughes is as soon as once more turning to Serie A as he appears to be like to bolster the squad forward of a brand new marketing campaign beneath Arne Slot.
Italian Market Gives Contemporary Alternatives
Regardless of a combined begin to his tenure, Hughes is undeterred in his perception that Serie A stays a fertile floor for value-driven transfers. His earlier transfer for Federico Chiesa has but to bear fruit — the winger has clocked simply half-hour within the Premier League this time period and is anticipated to exit Anfield after a single season.
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Nonetheless, Hughes’ long-standing ties to the Italian footballing panorama, stemming again to his personal improvement years, proceed to affect his recruitment philosophy.
It’s understood that Hughes is now spearheading curiosity in Nicolo Rovella, the Lazio midfielder who has impressed in a deep-lying function. Rovella is seen as a strategic various to Martin Zubimendi, whom Liverpool courted final summer time however finally missed out on. With Zubimendi now reportedly on the verge of becoming a member of Arsenal, consideration has turned decisively towards Rovella.
Nicolo Rovella Seen as Key Midfield Choice
Rovella’s profile suits the mould Liverpool are focusing on — tactically astute, technically safe, and able to anchoring play beneath stress. Although solely 22, he has demonstrated maturity and management that appeals to Liverpool’s data-led recruitment mannequin.
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Anfield Watch understands studies from Italy linking Rovella with Liverpool are correct. The midfielder has quietly emerged as one in every of Serie A’s extra constant performers in his place, and Hughes is regarded as eager to behave swiftly, significantly with midfield depth remaining a priority for Slot’s evolving system.
Mateo Retegui Good points Momentum as Ahead Goal
The opposite identify on Liverpool’s radar is Mateo Retegui, who has loved a breakout season at Genoa. The Argentine-born Italy worldwide has registered 24 objectives and 5 assists in 32 Serie A appearances — a stark rise from the seven objectives he notched the earlier 12 months.
Liverpool’s ahead line is about for modifications this summer time, with Darwin Nunez anticipated to maneuver on. Whereas hyperlinks to Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike persist, Retegui’s kind and bodily profile have positioned him firmly in rivalry.
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“This has been one thing of a breakout season for Retegui, who solely managed seven league objectives at Genoa final season. Nonetheless, Liverpool really feel this has been reflective of his general high quality.”
With the Reds in search of a constant aim menace to enhance or probably lead the assault, Retegui’s emergence has arrived at an opportune second.
Strategic Shift Underneath Richard Hughes
Liverpool’s intent to revisit the Italian market displays Hughes’ conviction that the membership can unearth high-calibre gamers outdoors the Premier League premium. Whereas Chiesa’s stint has not panned out, the pursuit of Rovella and Retegui alerts that the Anfield hierarchy is prepared to belief in Hughes’ long-term imaginative and prescient.
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Each gamers provide upside: Rovella, a metronomic midfielder with room to develop; Retegui, a striker hitting his peak with confidence and kind. Whether or not both arrives on Merseyside stays to be seen, however each are very a lot on the shortlist — and talks are ongoing.
Mateo Retegui’s radar chart for the previous 12 months — protecting 2,877 minutes — paints the image of a medical, high-impact ahead thriving in entrance of aim. The Genoa striker stands out significantly for his non-penalty objectives (94th percentile) and non-penalty anticipated objectives (npxG) at 86th percentile. This reinforces his status as a striker who constantly will get into high-quality scoring positions — and converts.
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His xG+xAG (anticipated objectives + anticipated assisted objectives) additionally impresses at 82nd percentile, reflecting each his personal ending and his involvement in attacking build-up. Whereas not recognized for his inventive passing, Retegui is nicely above common in shot-creating actions (76th percentile), which bodes nicely for a system like Liverpool’s that values urgent and fast transitions.
Nevertheless, there are notable dips in possession-based metrics. His move completion sits at simply fifty fifth percentile, with progressive passes and carries additionally within the decrease half. This means he’s extra of a penalty-box striker than a facilitator or link-man — an essential distinction when assessing slot in a fluid frontline.
Defensively, Retegui is serviceable, boasting fiftieth percentile for aerial duels and 52nd for tackles plus interceptions, suggesting he contributes in urgent conditions.
In abstract, Retegui presents a goalscoring profile that might attraction to Liverpool in a post-Nunez period: direct, instinctive, and constructed for exploiting possibilities — even when he isn’t probably the most polished in possession phases.
Nicolò Rovella: A Possession Maestro with Defensive Tenacity
Nicolò Rovella’s 365-day radar throughout 3,110 minutes showcases a deep-lying midfielder who blends precision passing with an aggressive defensive edge — a uncommon and precious mixture. His standout possession metrics embrace passes tried (91st percentile), move completion (89th), and touches (92nd), all of which spotlight his potential to dictate tempo and keep management in midfield.
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What makes Rovella significantly intriguing is his balanced contribution to each phases of play. Offensively, he scores extremely in anticipated assisted objectives (xAG) at 79th percentile and exhibits involvement in shot-creating actions (62nd). Whereas his non-penalty objectives stay modest (14th percentile), that’s anticipated for a participant sometimes deployed in a deeper function.
The place Rovella actually excels is defensively. He ranks within the 94th percentile for blocks and boasts spectacular numbers for tackles plus interceptions (fifty fifth) and dribblers tackled (57th). These figures replicate his potential to interrupt up play, plug gaps, and skim opposition actions successfully.
His decrease ranking in aerial duels (twelfth percentile) suggests he’s much less dominant in bodily contests, however his positional intelligence usually mitigates that limitation. Rovella additionally struggles considerably with progressive carrying and take-ons, however Liverpool would seemingly deploy him in a system the place fast ball motion is prioritised over particular person development.
All informed, Rovella’s profile fits a group in search of a midfielder able to anchoring possession whereas contributing defensively. His ability set aligns nicely with Liverpool’s evolving wants beneath Arne Slot — significantly in the event that they pivot towards a extra methodical midfield construction.
