Giovinco: Highly rated
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has admitted his admiration of Italian midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, but doubts he will be able to sign him.
Speculation has raged this week that Zola may try to sign the 21-year-old on loan from Juventus.
Giovinco’s agent confirmed the Hammers’ interest but insisted the player is not looking to move.
And Zola himself - who knows Giovinco from his time working with the Italy Under 21s - believes Juve would be reluctant to let such a talent go.
Change
The Hammers boss said: “He’s a player I know very well. He’s played for me for the Under 21s and he’s a player I admire. He’s one of those players who can change a game.
“I don’t think Juventus would be willing to give him up because they need him.”
The Hammers halted a run of seven league games without a win with a crucial 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last weekend.
Zola believes the result has given his players a much-needed confidence boost as they prepare for a tough tie at Liverpool on Monday.
He said: “It was a great result and certainly helped the players to feel a little bit more comfortable.
“It’s important you get wins. It doesn’t matter if you play well, if you don’t pick up victories and points your confidence goes down.
Extra boost
“So I’m very pleased and it seems to have given them an extra boost in confidence which is important.”
While he is busy preparing for the Liverpool game, Zola will still find time to watch his old side Chelsea take on Arsenal on Sunday in a crucial clash being shown live on Sky Sports 1 at 4pm.
“Of course I’ll be watching,” Zola added. “It’s a very important game for them because you have two teams that cannot afford to lose points.
“Arsenal are in a crucial moment of the season and they don’t want to lose so it’s a tough match.
“I don’t know who’s going to win but I know it’ll be a tough match. Chelsea are a club I care about a lot. Arsenal are not going to be an easy team to play against, especially at the moment.”
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