Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi has revealed he would love to work with Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori again if given the opportunity to do so.
The Brighton boss has been speaking to Italian outlet Cronache di Spogliatoio, relayed by Il Napolista, about his time at Brighton so far and player’s he’d love to sign if given the chance.
The Italian has been in charge of the Seagulls since last season when he replaced Graham Potter following his move to Chelsea.
It’s been nothing but an upward trajectory for Brighton since that point, with them finishing sixth last season on 62 points to qualify for the Europa League, while this season they are ninth and just four points outside of the top six once again.
This has all been done while Brighton continue to sell their best stars for big fees, with last summer seeing Moises Caicedo and Alexis MacAllister depart for Chelsae and Liverpool respectively.
There have also been incomings too, with the likes of Joao Pedro, Carlos Baleba, Bart Verbruggen and Igor all brought in to bolster De Zerbi’s squad.
He has his eye on another player for his attack, though, and that is Raspadori, with the Italian coach admitting he’d love to work with him again at Brighton or somewhere else given the opportunity.
“Compared to the Raspadori I had, I see him as strong, I see him with great affection. He started training with me in 2018, he was an 18-year-old boy, a polite, good boy. He is my ideal 9,” he said.
“For me he’s a 9 yes, absolutely. He’s a great guy, I’d love to have him again in the future. I see him as having matured, more confident, more astute, the player that all coaches would like to have.
“If you have Osimhen in front of you, it’s a different matter, but from my point of view his role is the same.”
