Bianchi: “Serie A? Better Premier League with Leedsâ€
Exclusive interview with the new Leeds midfielder coming from Italy.
Tommaso Bianchi (@ Getty Images)
Born in Tuscany at Piombino, right in front of the Elba island, Tommaso Bianchi is 25 years old.
I’ve interviewed him, hoping to have asked the things that Leeds fans would like to ask him.
How are your first days at Leeds going?
“Fine. I’ve inserted myself immediately well in the new team. Only the lifestyle is a bit different compared with Italy, but it’s all rightâ€.
How was born the idea of coming to play in England?
“Immediately after last season ended, my agent advanced me this option because Cellino had taken Leeds and told me they wanted me. I wanted to try this experience, in a different football with wonderful stadiums, great organisation. It will be an experience that will enrich me as a player and as a manâ€.
How would you rate the English Championship compared with Italian Serie B?
“It’s too soon to answer this question, because I haven’t already played a Championship match. Judging from trainings, friendly matches and Cup, I can say that here there is less tactical organization than in Italy. But here there is more running, more physical approach and I can say that players are a little better than the ones who play in Serie Bâ€.
What do ou think about the coach, mister Hockaday? As you know, lots of Leeds fans were astonished by this Cellino’s choice.
“I know it. It’s not the first time that Cellino makes a choice like this: for example he took Allegri for Cagliari when he came from Serie C and we know which kind of career he made. We must have confidence in him because he is a nice person, above all he consider and treats every player in the same way, at the same level, and it’s not easy to find a trainer who behaves in this way in Italy. He likes to play with the ball on the ground, he likes the technical aspects of the game and our trainings are full of these elements. And I like all of thisâ€.
What’s the team target in this season? And yours?
“This is a long championship, very hard. I have learned to think just match after match, without giving to our team a purpose, especially at the beginning. We want to become a top team for this league in one or two seasons to win the Championship. I want to improve myself: after 200 matches in Serie B I felt I needed something different to enhance my football. And Leeds is the right place to do it, to have more intensity in my way of playingâ€.
It’s really strange that in Serie A none thought to a midfielder like you.
“Maybe I haven’t had the right chance. I went very very close to become a Serie A player two times, with Chievo and Sassuolo, but injuries stopped me. That’s my only sorrow: not having showed that I am a midfielder that deserves to play in Serie A. No matter, I will get the chance to play in Premier League with Leeds, that is a championship even more important!â€
Emanuele Giulianelli