Gattuso’s Summer of Change

By: chris | May 6th, 2008

The big news of the week on the market front has been the less-than-shocking revelation that Mathieu Flamini is leaving the Emirates for Serie A – only mild surprise being it’s not for Torino, seemingly his destination, but for big bucks in Milan. Given that he signed a deal for (an absurd) 5.6m, it’s doubtful he’s being brought to ride the pine. This coincides with the recent rumors sending Gennaro Gattuso back to Britain, and his repeated pledges to return there one day. What’s in store for Ivan?

For most fans in Italy, the members of the 2006 Azzurri team are universally beloved. However, there are a certain few who transcend beloved, and Ringhio is one of those. His passion, heart and determination resonate with fans and give us all a glimpse of everything that is right with athletes.

The rumor vultures have begun circling, and though his agent is denying, these nuggets seem to have a bit of bite with their bark for a few reasons. This time it just seems different. It has little to do with Flamini, as for a team like Milan rotating high quality parts is key, so Mathieu can take the roster spot of a useless turd like Emerson.

Ivan has often spoken fondly of his time in Scotland, has a Scottish wife and has never hid his desire to play in the Premiership – a less technical, more physical game than calcio which obviously suits his skill set. He’s been linked with moves to Manchester United in the past as Fergie continues his neverending quest for a successor to Roy Keane. (Also Fergie now being an infamous student at The School of Catenaccio.) Arsene Wenger has also been a long term admirer and, whaddya know, they now have a hole in the middle of their midfield (not that he doesn’t have a conga line of teenagers waiting to fill the void).

As a fan of another contender in the league, I honestly have to say I’d hate to see Gennaro leave Serie A. Simply because he makes the league better, an honor you can bestow on a handful of players at best, and a credit to the heart he wears on his sleeve.

Fabio Cannavaro, a good friend, seems to think he’ll be at least tempted to go:

“I know Ringhio – obviously he will be short of motivation. He’s won the World Cup and two Champions Leagues, what else can he do?”

Fair assessment. Considering age, now 30, his window for new experiences at the top level isn’t opening any wider.

Of course, amidst all this club discussion, and Flamini as successor talk, there’s the matter of the national team. His form has been less than stellar this season, something which can be said for most of Milan, but couple this with the fact that Daniele De Rossi has rapidly transformed into the best midfielder in the peninsula, his spot isn’t assured anymore. Depending on tactics, Roberto Donadoni might choose to sit De Rossi back behind the attackers next to Andrea Pirlo. If Donadoni sticks with the 4-2-3-1, as many expect him to and as he did against Spain, it’s going to be awfully hard to omit a player dubbed “Gattuso in Armani”. Given that De Rossi is still but 24 and a co-favorite with Andrea Barzagli to captain the Azzurri one day, this trend will do nothing but grow. Of course, there’s also the chance Ivan and DDR play together in a three man midfield sitting deep, but that will depend on tactics.

There’s a chance that watching Gattuso in his familiar settings will be no longer, and soon. He could be forced to the bench for the Azzurri, and he could choose to take that trip abroad before his prime is in the rear view mirror, just like Thierry Henry. A betting man may not pick him to leave Milan, but we’ve certainly seen stranger. How quickly things can change.