End-of-transfer-window press conference for Sporting Director Stefano Melissano: "The objectives we set ourselves have been achieved, especially in terms of our needs and opportunities. This has been a peculiar transfer window for many teams, with player numbers and surplus players potentially blocking incoming or outgoing transfers for several clubs, but the most important thing for us was to retain our key players. There was a lot of talk about the possible departures of Wisniewski, Esposito and Hristov, but no one ever asked to leave. Offers did come in, but at a certain point in the transfer window, we decided to send them back to the sender. The players themselves never asked to leave or consider the offers, demonstrating their great attachment to the club. The decision to keep the players is a strong signal and was taken in agreement with the players themselves, while those who asked to leave have gone, because to stay at Spezia you have to be fully committed and focused.
More loans than permanent signings? We have the right to redeem almost all players, the only ones we don't have an option on are Fellipe Jack, Vlahovic and Comotto because, as we know, they are international talents and it would be great if they had a history and impact like Pio. The focus of this transfer window was to keep important players, as demonstrated by the permanence of Esposito and Wisniewski, for example, who are truly attached to the shirt and have contracts until 2027, but also Hristov and Aurelio, who had very important offers. With regard to contract extensions, we will see what the possibilities are during the year, but speaking of the present, we have already given a sign of solidity.
The defence? Last year, we had four centre-backs plus two young players from the Primavera team, so numerically and qualitatively, we have increased our options in defence. We have added Cistana, who is an experienced player, and Jack, who comes from Como, where Fabregas, the coach, played him in seven Serie A matches and was reluctant to let him go this year because he saw him as one of the players he could use for Como's championship campaign. We are also well-stocked on the flanks, with Vignali, Aurelio (redeemed) and new signings Beruatto and Candela, for whom the obligation to redeem is practically a formality, as the conditions are not complicated to achieve.
The midfield, excluding Degli Innocenti, is the same as last season. We have added Comotto and Zurkowski. Bandinelli has an appointment on 8 September, and we will see how he is doing, but we expect him to recover in the coming months, between the October break and early November.
Outgoing transfers? Some outgoing transfers did not go through. As I said, many opportunities were given and found, and a player can then choose whether to accept or not, but we had found solutions. On the incoming transfer market, we could have done more if there had been further departures, but we must never forget that it is always important to preserve the group, which was our secret weapon last year. As far as I'm concerned, there are no players stronger than mine, who are the same ones who played in the playoff final last year. Let's not forget that. We must be aware of everything we know and can give. We need to put the final in June behind us, otherwise we'll remain stuck there. We must follow our path with determination and serenity.
Fellipe Jack? He has been a target since the end of last season. He is a very talented young player with great prospects who also had offers from Serie A and Serie B, so much so that Fabregas wanted to keep him in the top flight. The deal was finalised at the end of the transfer window because certain conditions had to be considered, both on our side and theirs, but in the end we managed to bring him here and he will certainly be an added value, not least because it is not easy to find left-footed defenders with his qualities on the market.
Zurkowski? First of all, we must thank the lad because he has made himself available to the club and the team from the outset. If a request had come in that satisfied both parties, we would have considered it, but that did not happen, and we are all very calm and convinced that he will stay, starting with the player himself, who is ready to contribute to the team.
My opinion of the transfer market? I am very happy that the foundations of the team have remained intact. Now we have to take each game as it comes without making any proclamations and continue with the humility and work ethic that distinguished us last season".
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