Over the weekend, Leicester City were linked with a move for Inter youngster Francesco Pio Esposito, who is currently on loan at Serie B side Spezia.
The 19-year-old took his tally to nine goals for the season yesterday, as he found the back of the net against Juve Stabia and helped his side to a 1-1 draw in the league game.
The Leicester City target became the subject of controversy, as he celebrated against the club that he has supported since he was a child. This wasn’t met well by fans, who criticised the youngster on social media.
This led to Esposito responding to the abuse and he wrote, as relayed by FCInterNews: “Good evening everyone. Those who know me know how much I love Stabia. When I went on retreat to Rivisondoli to follow the team as a fan a few years ago, of the games I watched in the Curva or when I helped my friend Catello Di Maio at the ticket office to buy season tickets completely voluntarily and never for any other purpose than love for the yellow and blue colours.”
Further, Esposito wrote, defending his decision to celebrate against Juve Stabia: “I read from someone that I was ungrateful because I tried in every way to win the game and I celebrated a goal with one of my teammates.
“I assure you that it is impossible not to give your all in a Serie B game both for self-respect and for the respect of the shirt you wear. I am a professional footballer and on the pitch I behave as such and I will always do so.
“I am very sorry that there are people who cannot distinguish between a footballer and a fan, which are two very different things, but I can also think that from the outside it is difficult to understand my situation. I will always be Pio, that kid who as a child knew all the chants by heart and waited only on Sundays to watch Stabia, but at the same time I will always give my best for the teams I play for.”
Esposito’s statement suggests that he is certainly a very vocal and responsible individual at quite a young age and is not afraid to speak up. It also shows his ambition and desire to be a better professional.
That should be seen as a positive by Leicester City, who will certainly be charmed by his goalscoring tally this season. He has also improved since last season, when he found the back of the net only three times in the league.
