http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-sports/why-emanuele-giaccherini-signing-summer-012604484.html
The Black Cats' hopes are likely to rest for the most part with Emanuele Giaccherini.
The Italian, who joined this summer from Serie A champions Juventus after being unable to displace the likes of Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo or Claudio Marchisio in the team.
But this should not dishearten Sunderland fans.
The 28-year old was not an outcast in Italy. He made 44 appearances in Juve's consecutive title winning seasons and featured with regularity in the Champions League.
He also played in all five of Italy's matches at the 2013 Confederations Cup this summer, scoring against Brazil and proving a constant threat throughout. His best performance came in the semi-final penalty shootout loss to Spain, when he played on the left and came closest to breaking the deadlock when he hit the post at the beginning of extra time.
He is a versatile player, and whilst he was used on the left for his country, he was most often deployed by Juve manager Antonio Conte in central midfield.
Able and busy in attack, Giaccherini had a shot at goal, on average, every 24 minutes in league games last season, attempted to dribble past an opponent every 25 minutes and laid on a chance for a teammate every 29 minutes; in fact the fifth best in the whole of Serie A.
Surely given more playing time than the 10 starts and seven substitute appearances he made that season, Giaccherini would have grown into the role and prospered yet further.
At Sunderland he should get just that. As one of the more talented members of the squad, the team will likely be built around him.
It is hard to claim anyone else to be a better summer signing than Emanuele Giaccherini.
Di Canio can now select an Italy international, and let him showcase his abilities from a more involved central position behind a lone striker.
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