Italy manager Giampiero Ventura has questioned Graziano Pelle’s decision to head to China this window. The former Southampton forward was one of the standout players for his country in Euro 2016, but his place in the national team could be under threat.
Voetbal International have reported on comments Ventura made with regards to the ex Feyenoord star leaving Southampton. Ventura believes a player must have a desire to win, which he thinks won’t be the case for Pelle at his new club.
Ventura said a main motivation (probably the only motivation) for players to move to China is for the wages, and has questioned how Pelle’s transfer will change things.
“Players need to have a desire to win, going to a lesser league doesn’t help in that regard. So 50 percent is China, the rest is the big wages. A player has to be strong psychologically and temperamentally,” said the Italy coach with regards to Pelle.
Despite interest from clubs in Italy and across Europe, Pelle recently joined Chinese side Shandong Luneng in a multi-million-pound deal.
A number of top players in the past six months have joined clubs in China, and Pelle will be joining up with former Newcastle United forward Papiss Cisse at Shandong Luneng.
