The agent of Sassuolo star Armand Laurienté confirmed that Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli has been following the player. Roberto Meloni talked with Sportitalia about his client, touching on the progress he has made since joining the Neroverdi and his plans for the future:
In one way or another, Laurienté was decisive against Juventus. How do you rate his performance?
“We are very satisfied with the performance, his and the team’s, against Juventus. Armand is finally returning to being the player that – we who follow him closely – have known for a long time.”
Do you think he can surpass last season’s 8 goals this year?
“For me yes, he can surpass them if he gets it into his head that shooting is his weapon, important. As we saw against Juventus. Last year he had a knee problem for the whole season. This year he did not do the preparation and as the coach said he needs his time and accompaniment. He responded on Saturday after the disappointing presentation with Frosinone.”
What is Dionisi working on with him?
“He is working on continuity. Armand needs to understand what his talents and potential are, which for me he doesn’t even know, really. He has a shot that is really impressive. With a shot like his, at the very least every game he should get to five shots on goal Then he works on continuity of performance and it all starts from training. The standard he had against Juve has to become a constant.”
Today or in perspective would Armand see himself in a big team? Is Sassuolo the ideal place to get there?
“Yes, and Sassuolo absolutely the ideal place to get there: we have seen it with so many players who have started here and I could mention many, such as Frattesi and Raspadori. He has important goals that he wants to achieve and to do that he will have to do well here, which is the perfect place for that.”
And also in the national team?
“It’s definitely another of his goals to get to deserve a call-up to the national team.”
Is Juventus, who he scored against on Saturday, among the clubs that were interested in him in the summer?
“No. Giuntoli I know that Giuntoli likes the player, but Juventus today has a different strategy it seems to me and a different way of playing and a different module from those suitable for Laurienté. Then I repeat: Giuntoli likes him, he has been following him since his time at Napoli. The season is long and the market windows also.”
And other clubs in Italy, have they made themselves heard?
“This summer we have been quite calm and straightforward about what our plans are, which is to recover from this bad injury. Not so much the extent of it as the fact that it caused him to have a season with his knee always swollen, with infiltrations and whatnot. He still had a good year, but still with this brake. Now he wants to live fully and to the fullest this year.”
