Footballing World | Scout Report: Marco Amelia (Livorno)

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Scout Report: Marco Amelia (Livorno)

By Matthew Day ⋅ April 6, 2008 ⋅

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Italy’s number two goalkeeper has shone above everyone else at struggling Serie A outfit Livorno Calcio and, as an extremely competent back-up to Gigi Buffon, plying his trade at the bottom end of the league and fighting against relegation rather than turning out for a major club participating in European competition seems incongruous for the talented 26-year-old.

A summer move appears probable. Amelia may be contracted to Livorno until 2011, but his discontentment at the club’s precarious position in the table - just a season after participating in the Uefa Cup - and dislike of President Aldo Spinelli, with whom he had a row, ascertains that a transfer is seemingly inevitable.

Amelia was Italy’s third-choice goalkeeper at World Cup 2006, picking up valuable lessons from the two other, more senior stoppers Buffon and Angelo Peruzzi while undoubtedly gaining from the experience of being a part of the triumphant campaign in Germany.

Standout performances as first-choice Livorno goalkeeper have seen Amelia emerge as a promising and very gifted stopper, and it is widely agreed that he is now second best only to Buffon in terms of the top Italian goalkeepers. Current Azzurri coach Roberto Donadoni oversaw his development during two spells as coach of the Tuscan side, ensuring Amelia is venerated by the man who will select the starting eleven at this summer’s Euro 2008.

Buffon is now 30, and although still dedicated to the national cause, his status as number one is no longer secure. If Amelia does move to one of Europe’s big-hitters and suitably impresses there would be no hesitation, from Donadoni at least, to throw him in for a crucial match, especially if Buffon suffers a drop in form.

For now, however, Amelia must be content with a place on the bench. Buffon has provided sterling service for Juventus once again this campaign, and the bianconeri’s likely return to the Champions League next season can only strengthen his position as first-choice between the sticks for his country.

Amelia said President Aldo Spinelli should resign “if he’s got the balls to do it.”

Spinelli replied, “I’ve tried to teach Amelia some manners but he can’t hold his tongue, like all Romans.”

Presently, Amelia is more concerned with securing a move away from the amaranto rather than immediately displacing Buffon, and has repeatedly proclaimed his desire to find a new home.

Born in Rome, Amelia has previously suggested he would most warmly welcome a transfer to Luciano Spalletti’s side. He was a product of Roma’s youth system but was shipped out to Livorno when still a teenager. However, with current number one Alexander Doni performing capably for Serie A’s most exciting team, such a transfer looks improbable.

There are a host of interested clubs, ranging from Tottenham and Liverpool in England, Valencia in Spain and AC Milan in Italy. Tottenham are openly searching for a new first-choice goalkeeper following a season of poor form for England international Paul Robinson, and they enquired about Amelia in January. Coach Juande Ramos is expected to follow up his interest come the season’s end when the entire Tottenham set-up is to be reorganised, including a major reshuffling of the squad. Amelia’s imposing presence and great consistency is said to be exactly what the Spaniard is searching for after Robinson’s liability to commit blunders and his frailty at set-pieces.

Liverpool previously stated their interest in January 2007, but with Pepe Reina in dazzling form and manager Rafa Benítez happy with Charles Itandje as back-up, there is little prospect of the club stumping up the necessary cash come the summer.

Both Valencia and Milan are realistic destinations. The former have endured a miserable season and are unlikely to qualify for even the Uefa Cup next season - potentially a snag on any potential deal - but Amelia was enthused by their interest, “I’ve heard about Valencia, we’ll see at the end of the championship,” he said. “If they sold [Timo] Hildebrand, then it could be feasible.” Santiago Cañizares has been frozen out at the club by coach Ronald Koeman.

Finally, Milan’s ageing side is in desperate need of a revamp - and where better to start than in defence? Nélson Dida has once again demonstrated his exasperating inconsistency and lack of concentration this campaign and number two Željko Kalac is not getting any more agile at 35. Yet the club may not wish to splash millions on a goalkeeper, particularly if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Amelia could fetch in excess of £10m, but his transfer value would fall drastically should Livorno be relegated. They lie in seventeenth position and perilously close to the drop zone but it seems survival or otherwise, their star player will be leaving them at the end of the season, “Right now, I am focused on saving Livorno. But I hope President Spinelli won’t block me from moving to a big club in the summer.”

The queue for his signature has begun to form.

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