Following in the footsteps of Fernando Forestieri and Pablo Osvaldo,  Ezequiel Schelotto is the latest South American import to be starring for Italian youth squads. Ever since obtaining his passport and being called up to the Italian U21’s in November 2009 he’s been turning heads across the peninsula. 

 The details surrounding Schelotto’s arrival from Argentina are a little sketchy and\or hard to come by. We know that Ezequiel Schelotto, born in ‘89, basically ‘’showed up” for training in Cesena- a Serie C club at the time – in 2008. The young winger with Italian heritage calcistically grew up in the famed Banfield youth ranks back in Argentina.

After FIFA approved the transfer, he played 6 games, scored a goal, helping Cesena to gain Serie B birth. 6 games were enough to convince Atalanta to sign him on a co-ownership deal, letting the player flourish in Emilia Romagna. It’s already paying off as Schelotto has scored 5 goals in 25 games so far this season.

 Obviously the comparisons to fellow Italo-Argentinean Mauro Camoranesi – World Cup winner who never played for any of Italy’s youth sides- have already started. However, the comparisons aren’t so far fetched 

Marcello – Pimpaliscious – Lippi  has described Schelotto as ”potentially, the best young right-flank player that Italy have at the moment, maybe of any nation in the world”.

He was on Sky Sport, Schelotto had just scored his 5th goal in 15 games for Cesena, maybe Marcello was drunk ? Who knows ?

Nonetheless, Ezequiel’s an all round right sided player blessed with great pace, fancy footwork, wicked crosses and  the ability to instinctively track back and defend when the situation demands it. He knows how to make Italian coaches happy, thus get plenty of playing time.  He can play well in a 4-4-2 but it’s in a 4-2-3-1 where he can really let his skills shine.

Cesena coach Pierpaolo Bisani,  (who, ironically uses the youngster as the 5th midfielder on the right flank of his 3-5-2 formation) had this to say about Schelotto ;

”L’ho sempre detto: potenzialmente questo è un giocatore da Milan, da Inter, da Juventus. So che  la Juventus è venuta a vederlo, così come il Milan, il Bologna e altre squadre

  Ha una capacità di corsa incredibile anche in accelerazione. Deve migliorare tatticamente come tutti i giovani, ma ha un involucro per una grande squadra. Ho visto pochi giocatori con la sua potenza fisica. Se lui rimane con i piedi per terra e con la voglia di migliorarsi, può arrivare a grandissimi livelli.

In serie A non so quanti riuscirebbero a farmarlo quando è lanciato in velocità. ”

 *free translation*   I’ve always said it ; he has the potential to pla for Inter, Milan, Juve… He has incredible pace, speed and acceleration. he needs to work on the tactical aspect of things, like all youngsters, but I have rarely a youngster with his strenght (’physical potency’) If he keeps his work ethic and wants to become better he can become a champion. In Serie A not many could stop him once he starts running with the ball  *free translation*

 No wonder everyone is inquiring about Schelotto. His agent spoke to the media recently :

” E presto per parlarne e prima di tutto c’è da risolvere la comproprietà fra Atalanta e Cesena. Con il Genoa abbiamo avuto ottimi rapporti, hanno dimostrato di volere fortemente il ragazzo, insieme a Palermo e Fiorentina. Per il resto, tutte le squadre di A lo hanno seguito ”

*free translation* Some say that Genoa have secured his services but everybody and Bellinzona have been seen around the youngster. Anyways, Atalanta and Cesena have to setlle this co-ownership thing first.  *free translation*
  

Let’s just not put too much weight on the youngster’s shoulders and let Ezequiel finish his Serie B season in peace. 

Can you  imagine a quicker, bigger (187 cm) smarter Mauro with better crosses and fancier foootwork ! This is why Marcello  got all excited. Schelottoclearly has the talent and potential but it seems he also has the brains. Let’s just hope he doesn’t end up in Spain like Forestieri and Osvaldo.

Tags: Calcio Italiano, Calcio Mercato, cesena, ezequiel schelotto, Fernando Forestieri, Italian Football, Italian Soccer, Italy, Pablo Osvaldo, Serie A