On Tuesday, Corriere dello Sport tried their best to change the narrative about Gianluigi Donnarumma’s move to Manchester City.
The newspaper stated their belief that the goalkeeper can play the Pep Guardiola way, relying on the sole evidence of a great 30-yard pass that the Italian played during national team training earlier this week.
The transfer continues to attract the attention of the Italian press and Gazzetta dello Sport have spoken to the 26-year-old’s former coach Alfredo Magni, who had a stint at AC Milan between 2014 and 2018.
Magni insisted Donnarumma can play the Guardiola way, even if Luis Enrique’s reasoning for his PSG sale was a lack of ability on the ball.
He said: “The thing that leaves me amazed is that Gianluigi has the aptitude to play that type of game, and the fact that Guardiola wants him confirms the thesis, doesn’t it?”
Magni criticised Luis Enrique for deciding to sell the goalkeeper, believing Manchester City will be the beneficiaries of a bad decision.
“A player with a great aptitude for improvement like him, obviously based on his talent, can quickly adapt his characteristics to the coach’s needs. I’m sorry if Luis Enrique saw something in Chevalier that wasn’t within Gianluigi’s capabilities.”
Painting it further as a decision that PSG would regret, Magni said: “Definitely. PSG and their coach could have easily worked on him without bringing in a new goalkeeper, if that was really the problem.
“Donnarumma can fulfil Luis Enrique’s requests. PSG let go of potentially the best goalkeeper in the world. It’s shocking that he’s being replaced by Chevalier, even if he’s a good goalkeeper.”
The former coach also stated that even if Donnarumma doesn’t fit the system at Manchester City right away, he will only take three months to adjust to the system.
“Let’s say [it will take] about three months through analytical and cognitive progressions with and without pressure, opponents, and finally situations with the ball.”
The Italian media have been keen to sick up for their man, but there is little evidence to suggest the 26-year-old is at a high level on the ball.
Those question marks have persisted since his time at AC Milan and doubts have been raised during multiple games with the Italian national side as well.
His shot-stopping abilities are certainly top-class but more will be needed to confidently state that the Azzurri captain is a good fit for Manchester City.