ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Juventus FC - Missing Persons: Sebastian Giovinco

Posted by Sumeet Paul on 02/26/2010

I would like to report a missing person. Sebastian Giovinco, affectionately known as ‘la formica atomica’ to his loved ones, is 23 years of age. He was last seen around the turn of the year but has not been spotted since. After picking up an injury in training over a month ago, he has yet to make a starting appearance under the new coach Alberto Zaccheroni and we are worried whether we will ever see him again.

Sebastian Giovinco ©Getty Images

Now as I have noticed over the past few weeks, many of you have been asking where our Bianconero favourite is. As a result, I hereby announce I am willing to take a print-out of this blog along with all your comments to Turin myself next month and hand it over to Signor Zaccheroni if that will by some miracle improve our chances of seeing Seba play again. Now as it is easy to lose small things in everyday life, it is about time this priceless gem is found again. I believe I speak for most when I say that Seba is our choice to eventually replace the irrepressible Alex Del Piero, but we can’t just sit here and wait for that time to come, and nor can he.

Granted, Gio had been sidelined for over a month after pulling up with a thigh injury in training in early January. However the fact is that he returned to the squad for almost a month before suffering a recurrence of that thigh problem, and has gained a solitary minute of playing time under the new coach against Genoa as a 92nd minute sub. Another statistic for all you anoraks out there, the last time Seba started a game? The 5-1 win at home to Sampdoria. Are we missing something? It has been the same story from Ranieri to Ferrara, Ferrara to Zaccheroni. Why do our managers not want to play him?

One of the most promising talents in Italy is wasting away on the sidelines of the Stadio Olimpico. Unfortunately, as has been the case with many young talents over the years in this fine footballing country, they are just not getting the chance to flourish with one of the big clubs. I for one believed that with the likes of Claudio Marchisio and Paolo De Ceglie making the starting XI, it would be a matter of time before Seba joined them, sadly it looks like I was wrong. I tipped the youngster to be on the plane to South Africa this summer, that could not look any further off. In fact it wouldn’t surprise me if he has his summer holiday already booked.

So Juventini, the million dollar question. Should he stay or should he go? In my view he has three options. Numero uno; Stay at Juve and risk never showing the world his undoubted gift. Numero due; Move on and make a name for himself at one of our rivals in Serie A. Numero tre; Or perhaps, as he has never been shy to declare how much he loves the club, a move abroad so to prevent him the heartache of having to play against his boyhood club...what would you do?

Comments

Posted by Juve storia di un grande amore on 02/27/2010

I want him to stay with La Vecchia Signora. I think Zaccheroni is slowly trying to incorporate him to gain some match fitness. I think he will be starting a game pretty soon. I definetly do not see him going to one of Juve's Italian rivals, but there is a good possiblity of him going abroad due to lack of playing time at Juventus. I think he has to be patient and gradually start earning his overdue first-team place. I think he should replace Marchisio as an attacking winger in our team. I like Marchisio but Giovinco would add more vision and creativity to our attack.

Posted by franklin sondak on 02/27/2010

i like juventus n i love it. it's becoz many italian player to play in this team. so juventus has to make them stay long. becoz they are the good player for juventus move forward.. gio,de ceglie, is the future for the team.. i hope they still in juventus long....(sorry my english bad, but i just want to say what i have in my heart. a bout my opinion for my lovely italian club.)GB juve n Italia......

Posted by joetex13 on 02/27/2010

I really want Giovinco to stay at Juve as well. This is often the case when talent is not used to its full potential-they are either loaned out or sold to a fellow league club. I would hate to see him at any Milan club. Only time will tell, but I praise Juve's recent efforts. Is it too late to declare "How La Vecchia Signora Got Her Groove Back!"

Posted by maze on 02/27/2010

i think all juve fans are behind in this issue.Its sad to see such a talent being wasted in a country that is known for its aging stars......we all want to see him playing again in the white and black shirt.

Posted by Adamo Digby on 02/27/2010

I like Giovinco, & love his style of play, but I simply cannot get one thought out of my head when it comes to him. When Ranieri refused to play him I thought "useless old fool is scared to play the youngsters", when Ciro came in & did the same it was "poor guy, so scared to lose his job he daredn't take the risk". Now we have Zaccheroni, who is brave enough to play De Ceglie over Grosso, yet still no Seba. It cant simply be fear for all 3 to not play him. There must be more to it, there has to be. Not pulling his weight in training, a bad attitude, something, but it cannot just be stubborness on the part of three (very) different coaches.

Posted by Joe on 02/27/2010

in all competitions this season
Juve's record w/ Giovinco on 45+ minutes:
6-1-1
Juve's record w/o Giovinco on 45+ minutes:
10-10-7

Only twice have Juve scored more then 3 goals this season both times it was 5 and both were among those 8 games he played 45+ minutes.

Even when Giovinco's skills are not directly causing goals, he changes a game. He is not a superb player just due to his technical skill.

Greats are greats due to physical ability, technical skill, understanding of the game and there attitude towards the game and all involved in it.

Its pretty clear already at his age that he has the potential to be a "great" but if he is never given a real chance, as was Del Piero, Maldini, Nesta, Baresi, Baggio... Italian football will be permanently impacted and almost certainly in a negative way. It is nearly too late for him to be called up for the 2010 world cup, which will be written into history and history can not be changed after the fact.

Posted by rudy on 02/28/2010

i hate giovinco i feel bad 4 my hero amauri with a thigh injury phsyco

Posted by Anonymous on 02/28/2010

Giovinco must stay for the good of Juve and Italian football. he is a superstar of the future and I would be far from impressed if Juve were to trade him off or not play him. Whenever he plays something good happens...

Posted by tony on 02/28/2010

He needs to move on...Spain

Posted by Anthony on 02/28/2010

I just don't understand why they are letting his talent go to waste. For me Gio should be starting every game. Every time he comes on u can see how many chances juve start to create from his runs from the wings.

For the past 2 years Ivé been asking myself and everyone the same question "When and why Giovinco is not getting a regular start"?...Ivé heard some opinions on why "his too small", "him and diego don't link up well". If u ask me it's all rubbish.

This kid is gonna leave Juve soon if they don't start playing him and I wouldn't blame him. He deserves to be right up there for national squad selection but he never plays so Lippi can't even see what he's got.

Someone really needs to let the coaching staff know that he should be given a proper chance to prove himself not 1 full game every 2months.I can't even remember the last time started.

Posted by Mario on 02/28/2010

I reckon Zac could play Gio on the left with De Ceglie behind him at left back and Marchisio next to him in left centre mid. I forgot which game it was but he and Marchisio were stuck on the left of a 4-man midfield and boy did they create havoc. The midfield was totally different.

I was a little worried about Giovinco being pushed around due to his size and getting knocked off the ball too easily. He can't do Marchisio's job because obviously he isn't a tackler. He must be given a purely attacking role (like Robben/Ribery-type winger). He's got plenty of pace to burn.

Hope Juve doesn't sell him. If De Ceglie and Marchisio can make the grade, I have no doubt Gio will push his way into Zac's thinking. He must be given a run of games in order to prove himself like the other 2. That being said, I can't wait to see the damage Juve could do with these 3 great players!

Posted by Rossoneri Sensation on 02/28/2010

I Have Seen The Young Lad Play, I Truly Beleive That He Cannot Do Any Wore Than Diego Is Doing At The Moment. I Hate Juve But Talent Is Talent. Sabastian Is A Talent Being Wasted On The Sidelines @ The Old Lady. My Recommendation? Leave Juve ! Move On To Bari, Parma, Lazio*, Udinese* ( *if they don't get relegated) Develop And Become The Superstar You Deserve To Be !

Posted by stephen on 03/01/2010

Thank you Sumeet, thank you very much for highlighting the non-playing time of the youngster. For the last to weeks I've been asking that very same question in my input on this blog. It is quite obvious that we are missing that youth element and sting on the pitch, like the black Italian provides for Inter and pato for AC. I honestly hope he doesn't leave us because I believe you need him. Zac, please play Giovinco Sebastien, he can probably make a difference. I mean, we lose to palermo 2-0 home. My heart is aching, juventus is breaking my heart. Nevertheless, I love them I they have my undying support. I hope we the the youngster next week and I hope we see a difference. Thank you again Sumeet....Juventus forever

Posted by juventino della roma on 03/01/2010

honestly i wouldnt know where to play gio. seems like diego has pretty much taken his place. wouldve loved to play him alongside del piero behind a lone striker but seems like theres no place for him in zaccheroni's formation. he doesnt have de ceglies height, cant tackle like marchisio but too talented to be on the bench. i feel sorry for him. i really really hope he gets more playing time, not just 1-min cameos in extra time

Posted by Italia on 03/02/2010

In our 2-0 home loss to Palermo, Giovinco would have easily affected the game towards our favor and provide some decent balls for our attack. Candreva, to be truthful, was horrible in the game and was lost as a wide midfielder. His crosses went astray and passes were wrong. He did not supply any balls to the forwards. But he is still useful as a CM. Juventus should get rid of the dead weight in the team such as Felipe Melo (invisible against Palermo), Amauri, Cannavaro, Grosso, Tiago (for good), and maybe Poulsen (but I would keep him as cover for Sissoko so no). We should get some new and talented players, especially defenders. Leggrotaglie and Cannavaro and maybe even Grosso are liabilities with their slow pace and bad marking due to their age for Juventus. Juve should get someone like Garay from Real Madrid or players with qualities like Pique or Thiago Silva.

Posted by sps on 03/02/2010

well, first of all gio is not alex's replacement there is no such thing as alex's replacement, but the only person i see replacing alex in the iconic sense is marchisio! anyways back to gio in my opinion as much as id love to see him help my juve win, id also love to see him play and make it big on a personal level for him, so we must stop being selfish and let him leave to any other club that im sure will play him and he will become greater than he already is!, unless that is i am appointed as the manager :P ... best of luck gio! we love u!

Posted by Meng Yeow on 03/03/2010

Seba can always be deployed as a left winger or second striker (like ADP). He has the speed and skill to run havoc on the sides. Marchisio is definitely better in the center.

Hope Zac finds our atom ant back asap =(

Posted by Mario on 03/04/2010

Meng Yeow, you're right about that. I've always felt Seba could do a job in the wings. Sticking Marchisio there is a lose-lose situation because he is better in the centre.

Forza Juve! Bring on Fiorentina!

Posted by L. Savarese(remember Giovani?) on 03/06/2010

I love Juve! But nowadays the confidence seems so low that even the most skillfull stay too long on the ball. GIO can create & defend
with no misgivings of recent poor performances, at least. Zac give him a chance. He is quicker than most of your midfield and defenders!! Gio is a team player as well. His heart is 100%.

Posted by Franco on 03/10/2010

Personally I've been a huge Gio supporter. But I unselfishly must say as a young man at this point in his career, he may need to go elswhere for more playing time/recognition. My only wish is that the "ant" scores a hat trick against his old club, and causes my team to rethink their old school stratagies....great piece Sum.

Posted by Joe on 03/11/2010

With my closet filled with Juve gear, wool hats, socks, jerseys, shorts, caps, balls... i must say Juventus is an embarrassment. We spent how much on Amauri & Diego? We bought Iaquinta & got rid of Nocerino. We got rid of Bojinov, Palladino & we bench our best offensive player Giovinco. Yet we have been shut out 8 times. Something is clearly not working. We nearly got rid of Chiellini our best defender a few years back. We bought Melo and he received the Bidone d'Oro. How many players have been bought and useless? We have superb youth talent and much of there careers are being wasted watching Juventus LOSE. One of the greatest clubs in the history of football has become more then pathetic in a league that cant keep up with the top leagues anymore. What is Juve doing to help Serie A or the Azzurri? Juventus has turned into a pathetic club and I am sincerely embarrassed.

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