Following the close of the summer transfer window on Friday evening and the incredible win against Cesena, Sporting Director Stefano Melissano addressed the media to provide an update on recent developments: "It’s a great day, as we’re coming off an exhilarating victory, secured at the last moment in our home stadium, which is typical for us here at Spezia.
We’ve managed to keep the team competitive, maintaining a high technical standard, in line with the coach and ownership's expectations, while also ensuring the club’s sustainability—another key area of focus for us. We are currently finalizing Julius Beck’s loan with an option to buy. Regarding contract renewals, we are working on extending Bertola's contract. He’s a player we have strong faith in, a product of our youth system, and we’ve made him a significant offer. The ball is now in his court and that of his agent, but we’re optimistic that an agreement can be reached. As for Reca, he has shown a full commitment to renegotiate his contract with the club. Despite having the opportunity to move to Serie A, he remains deeply attached to Spezia and is dedicated to finding the best possible solution for everyone from both a contractual and managerial perspective.
Defensively, we are well covered with players like Giorgeschi and Benvenuto, who are stepping up as our version of last year’s Bertola. We need to trust in our young players, who bring both quality and a strong sense of belonging—an important added value to the team.
Falcinelli is a dedicated professional and truly exceptional. Although there were attempts to damage his reputation, the truth eventually comes out, and it would have been better to be upfront from the beginning. Falcinelli is not only an excellent player but also an outstanding person. However, given past cases that could have led to different outcomes, we acted quickly when the opportunity to sign Čolak presented itself. The decision to bring in Čolak also stems from our desire to avoid situations like last year, where injuries left us with limited attacking options. We know that competition benefits everyone, especially with players who are motivated and committed to the club's success.
As for Djankpata, we’ve been keeping an eye on him for some time. Although he has a development path ahead, he is more advanced for his age compared to other players born in 2005. This deal is similar to the Kouda transfer; he needs to adjust to a different style of football from what he's accustomed to in England, but he has valuable skills. We acted swiftly and effectively to secure him before other teams could get involved.
Sarr is expected to be out for between 2 and 3 months, which would mean missing 7 or 8 matches. We need to carefully evaluate the situation. With both Gori and Mascardi available, there’s no immediate rush to make a decision. We want to avoid overcrowding the goalkeeper position and disrupting team harmony.
My role is part of a long journey. I’m proud to be the Sporting Director of Spezia; this feels like a second home to me, a place I was eager to return to. I’m deeply grateful to Meluso for bringing me here initially. Over the years, I’ve gained valuable experience working with professionals like Pecini and Macia, and now I’m focused on applying all my knowledge to benefit the club and the white shirt.
Regarding the transfer market, I’d rather not assign a rating. I’m proud of everyone involved because there’s an incredible sense of belonging here, from the staff to the players. Last year, we faced fear, and while we can’t ignore it, we need to use it constructively. We’ve come back strong, ready to tackle any challenges. And with the support of the people of Spezia, when we’re united, it feels like we’re not just playing with 11 players, or even 12, but maybe 13 or 14.
Our primary goal is to secure our place in the league; everything beyond that will come in time. The President has talked about a long-term path to Serie A, not an immediate return. It’s a step-by-step journey, maintaining our values and identity along the way. Whether or not we achieve Serie A by the end of this journey, the key is to stay true to ourselves.
We have a squad with plenty of options, and any player can step up. This year, we’re equipped to handle challenges and make adjustments as needed, thanks to the depth of our roster and the mindset of this group.
Regarding Seghetti, we worked until 11:00 PM on the last day of the transfer window. Perugia was ready to make a deal, but we faced issues with the timing required to finalize everything, as the opportunity arose late in the afternoon, coinciding with Perugia’s game. Unfortunately, we couldn’t close the deal in time. We’ll see if another chance comes up in the future, as we remain vigilant and active in scouting young talent.
As for Soleri, we’ve chosen players with strong moral and personal qualities. He’s a prime example—an exceptional young man who is deeply committed to Spezia and eager to return. We have many others like him, all of whom have embraced Spezia and our project, and are dedicated to giving their best for this city".
Cookie per Social Networks
Si tratta dei cookie che consentono di condividere anche con altri utenti i contenuti del sito che si sta visitando. Sono i cookie tipicamente utilizzati per attivare le funzioni “Mi piace” o “Segui” dei Social Network quali Facebook e Twitter, solo per citarne alcuni. Queste funzioni consentono ai Social Network di identificare i propri utenti e raccogliere informazioni anche mentre navigano su altri siti.