View Full Version : Irish diaspora in Italy
tommy_c12000
24/04/2022, 4:25 PM
Thought it might be good to consolidate updates/discussion on our 4 Italian-based youngsters for next season: Zefi, Heffernan, Ebosele, Abankwah. Mods can feel free to merge somewhere else if not appropriate. It’s exciting though.
It is difficult to get information on how our current crop are really doing this season given they haven’t advanced to primavera (u19) level yet.
From my review on available resources (not formed from having seen any games), Heffernan seems to be doing excellent. He is starting regularly for their u18s (a year up), has been part of a 3 man central defense and has also played right back. Milan’s u18s have had a strong finish to the season with several clean sheets coinciding with Heffernan’s starts. Hopefully he will get a permanent deal soon, anyone with insight here? He looks in an excellent position to start for their primavera side next season which would be good progress.
Zefi has done well for their under 17s with a few goals and assists. Interestingly, Esposito appears to be their star striker, and has been appearing for their u18s too, seems a bit ahead of Zefi. Zefi has only made the bench once for u18s I think. I’m a bit surprised by Zefi’s lack of advancement through the age groups as season progressed. I expect I’m reading a bit too much into it. I know there’s the usual sound bytes from his agent Carr that things are going great, he has even trained with seniors etc. Hopefully it’s a matter of then managing his talent carefully and he will progress straight to their primavera side next season and bypass the u18s. On a side note, some people may recall Nolan had a star striker called Esposito as well during his Inter underage days who advanced quickly, I don’t think they are related.
Anyone with insight into current Udinese squad? Where will our guys fit in? Assume Abankwah will start with their primavera side? Ebosele an outside chance of establishing himself with first team? Watford loan as the cynics proposed?!
elatedscum
24/04/2022, 7:16 PM
On a side note, some people may recall Nolan had a star striker called Esposito as well during his Inter underage days who advanced quickly, I don’t think they are related.
They’re brothers. 3 in total. The oldest, a midfielder, played in Tallaght against ireland u21 in November. The middle, a striker, is probably the star of the 3, he’s on loan at Basel. And the third is Zefi’s age.
Eirambler
24/04/2022, 8:36 PM
Being honest, Italian football has a terrible record of promoting youth, Serie A is among the most conservative leagues for bringing through young players so these lads are up against it from the start.
Does Heffernan even have a contract for next season yet, it was only a 6 month trial deal he was on I think? Ebosele has possibly only signed for Udinese as a cover for his real destination in time - Watford (same owners). Because Udinese are an overseas club they could sign him there cheaper than Watford could in terms of paying development fees etc. but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at Watford within a season or two.
Being honest, Italian football has a terrible record of promoting youth, Serie A is among the most conservative leagues for bringing through young players so these lads are up against it from the start.
Does Heffernan even have a contract for next season yet, it was only a 6 month trial deal he was on I think? Ebosele has possibly only signed for Udinese as a cover for his real destination in time - Watford (same owners). Because Udinese are an overseas club they could sign him there cheaper than Watford could in terms of paying development fees etc. but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at Watford within a season or two.
Also helps them get around financial fair play especially if playing in the Championship. Wouldn't say Ebosele will be over there six months before he's at Watford on loan. Wouldn't be shocked if he's brought back to Watford in the summer with them in the Championship.
Similar with Abankwah. Unless he actually goes into the Udinese first team he'd be better off at Watford playing U23s than U19s in Italy.
Thought it might be good to consolidate updates/discussion on our 4 Italian-based youngsters for next season: Zefi, Heffernan, Ebosele, Abankwah. Mods can feel free to merge somewhere else if not appropriate. It’s exciting though.
It is difficult to get information on how our current crop are really doing this season given they haven’t advanced to primavera (u19) level yet.
From my review on available resources (not formed from having seen any games), Heffernan seems to be doing excellent. He is starting regularly for their u18s (a year up), has been part of a 3 man central defense and has also played right back. Milan’s u18s have had a strong finish to the season with several clean sheets coinciding with Heffernan’s starts. Hopefully he will get a permanent deal soon, anyone with insight here? He looks in an excellent position to start for their primavera side next season which would be good progress.
Zefi has done well for their under 17s with a few goals and assists. Interestingly, Esposito appears to be their star striker, and has been appearing for their u18s too, seems a bit ahead of Zefi. Zefi has only made the bench once for u18s I think. I’m a bit surprised by Zefi’s lack of advancement through the age groups as season progressed. I expect I’m reading a bit too much into it. I know there’s the usual sound bytes from his agent Carr that things are going great, he has even trained with seniors etc. Hopefully it’s a matter of then managing his talent carefully and he will progress straight to their primavera side next season and bypass the u18s. On a side note, some people may recall Nolan had a star striker called Esposito as well during his Inter underage days who advanced quickly, I don’t think they are related.
Anyone with insight into current Udinese squad? Where will our guys fit in? Assume Abankwah will start with their primavera side? Ebosele an outside chance of establishing himself with first team? Watford loan as the cynics proposed?!
Zefi and Esposito play in different positions so I don’t think the two are directly comparable in that regard
From reading a-few reports from inter Twitter accounts supposedly they are managing Zefi’s game time this season, apparently letting him spend his first season settling in.
Will say though Heffernan has done quite well, a regular in the AC Milan u18s team as a 16 year old (the youngest in the team).
tommy_c12000
17/05/2022, 8:51 PM
Will say though Heffernan has done quite well, a regular in the AC Milan u18s team as a 16 year old (the youngest in the team).
He made his Primavera/U19 debut coming on at 85 minutes during their 4-2 win over Genoa at the weekend. Impressive. Still no word of whether he’s getting a contract once loan finishes…
He made his Primavera/U19 debut coming on at 85 minutes during their 4-2 win over Genoa at the weekend. Impressive. Still no word of whether he’s getting a contract once loan finishes…
Clearly he is rated anyway, it’s interesting because in Italy things are done differently to England let’s say. In Italy apparently you are only allowed sign 3 foreign players for you’re academy (at-least that’s what I heard for Inter) so teams like AC Milan need to focus on quality and it could be possible that he misses out in narrow margins, although he’s gone well so who knows. If he was in England he would definetly have signed as they don’t really have much restrictions.
One thing to remember is he’s 18 next year, I wouldn’t say it’s impossible that he goes back to Cork City after this loan and get a full season of senior football, hopefully Premier division football, and then when he turns 18 go to England.
No one really knows behind the scenes, I didn’t find it odd from the beginning that this was a loan signing so it will be interesting to see how this pans out.
tommy_c12000
20/08/2022, 7:12 PM
What’s the latest here? Heffernan and Zefi still with the under 18 sides, and not primavera yet? This is disappointing. Ebosele may get a look in at Udinese, James needs to at least get primavera time vs loan to continue his development. Connolly should play a good bit by the looks of it. And Kerrigan still to make his league bow with Como?
pineapple stu
20/08/2022, 7:17 PM
Well Como have only played one league game so far in fairness. He came on as a sub in the Cup, but didn't play last week v Cagliari.
They're away to Pisa tomorrow.
seanfhear
20/08/2022, 9:19 PM
Well Como have only played one league game so far in fairness. He came on as a sub in the Cup, but didn't play last week v Cagliari.
They're away to Pisa tomorrow.
He might be able to lean on the coach for that one.
He might be able to lean on the coach for that one.
That’s an interesting slant on the situation.
gastric
21/08/2022, 3:20 AM
Both out of line, neither comment is balanced.
seanfhear
21/08/2022, 4:28 AM
Both out of line, neither comment is balanced.
Sometimes the gravity of the situation has to play out.
tommy_c12000
21/08/2022, 8:13 PM
Kerrigan on now for the last 20 minutes or so, 1-1. Connolly still on bench
tetsujin1979
11/09/2022, 3:18 PM
Udinese 1-0 down against a team playing with ten men since the fourth minute today, and still not a minute of gametime for either Ebosele or Abankwah. Udinese did win 2-1 with goals from two substitutes, so leaning them on the bench is arguably the correct decision, but it'd getting to the point where you have to wonder if the move was worth it for the two players
pineapple stu
11/09/2022, 3:37 PM
Being on the bench is probably a different comment on both players too. Abankwah was at Pat's and to be on the bench at a Serie A side is decent. But Ebosele with a first-team squad number would be more disappointed.
(Ebosele did come on for the last ten minutes against AC Milan btw)
tetsujin1979
11/09/2022, 3:47 PM
I meant not a minute of football today. In a game where Udinese need a goal, and against a team playing with a player sent off since been early on you'd think Ebosele had a chance of some game time
tommy_c12000
11/09/2022, 4:43 PM
Actually 2 late goals for a 3-1 win, Udinese 4th in serie A, great start. Disappointing from irish perspective thus far but will need to be patient. A slight silver lining - they’ve gradually whittled down their subs bench from 14 to 11, and both irish still on bench.
Good to see Kerrigan and Connolly playing, but concerning to see both of their respective sides off to a woeful start. Danger in managerial change soon at both which will bring uncertainty.
Zefi and Heffernan seem to be resigned to u18 football at the start. Not much point getting excited at that level. Zefi did not make bench for the UEFA youth match. This is disappointing to me.
Too early for the UCD lad yet, expect to see him with their primavera side I assume?
Eirambler
11/09/2022, 5:48 PM
I saw Stephen Kenny making a point recently about how Italy is not necessarily the best place for young Irish players to be going now that England is off limits for most until they're 18. Serie A clubs are notoriously slow to give youth a chance, especially the bigger clubs. Inter Milan in particular are infamous for producing almost nobody through their youth system, which is obviously a concern when one of our most highly rated young players is signed to them.and showing little sign of progression through their ranks.
liamoo11
11/09/2022, 6:36 PM
Actually 2 late goals for a 3-1 win, Udinese 4th in serie A, great start. Disappointing from irish perspective thus far but will need to be patient. A slight silver lining - they’ve gradually whittled down their subs bench from 14 to 11, and both irish still on bench.
Good to see Kerrigan and Connolly playing, but concerning to see both of their respective sides off to a woeful start. Danger in managerial change soon at both which will bring uncertainty.
Zefi and Heffernan seem to be resigned to u18 football at the start. Not much point getting excited at that level. Zefi did not make bench for the UEFA youth match. This is disappointing to me.
Too early for the UCD lad yet, expect to see him with their primavera side I assume?
That's interesting on Zefi when you see Doherty year below zefi playing for Liverpool 19s against napolI in that European youth league
tetsujin1979
11/09/2022, 6:42 PM
And Bloxham for spurs, with Maguire a sub
tommy_c12000
19/02/2023, 2:09 PM
Taking stock of the season so far for our lads in Italy:
Festy with bit part minutes, slowly getting more exposure, I would definitely include him in next squad. James Abankwah appears to be in no man’s land, making bench every week for senior team without playing, and has only played 7 primavera games this year, what is going on here?
Unfortunate season ending injury for Kerrigan.
Great to see McJannet straight into starting two games for Lecce u19 who are leading the primavera, John Ryan seems to be playing away for Sassuolo u19 who are midtable.
Zefi doing well for the Inter u18s, some bit part minutes for their u19s. He’s 18 now though. I know they’re “managing his game time” but surely he should be established in their u19s by now? Heffernan appears to be doing well for Milan u18s, although didn’t start in their recent derby game vs Inter. Hard to know where he is.
Am I missing anyone? Thoughts?
Eirambler
19/02/2023, 3:56 PM
At this point I don't think any of them are particularly benefitting from being in Italy relative to anything they might have achieved in England (I appreciate some were restricted from going to England). For Festy in particular this just feels like a bit of a wasted season so far.
It's disappointing that the go to place for Irish players outside the UK has become Italy, thanks to a few agents I think, who are no doubt lining their own pockets. Would much rather see us have a group coming through in France or Germany than there, as those leagues seem to provide more opportunities to young players.
tetsujin1979
19/02/2023, 4:07 PM
Deji Sotona and Glory Nzingo both went to France, and Billy Vance had a trial at Lyon in January
liamoo11
19/02/2023, 4:14 PM
Deji Sotona and Glory Nzingo both went to France, and Billy Vance had a trial at Lyon in January
Is Nzingo progressing well?
tetsujin1979
12/03/2023, 12:56 PM
Ed McJannet, for Lecce, came up against James Abankwah, for Udinese, in the Italian Primavera this morning
https://www.uslecce.it/news/305577496070/primavera-1-lecce-1-udinese-0
tetsujin1979
12/03/2023, 12:58 PM
Is Nzingo progressing well?
Missed this reply. Haven't heard much about Nzingo, and there's not a lot about the underage system in France online
Exgrad
13/03/2023, 9:57 AM
Missed this reply. Haven't heard much about Nzingo, and there's not a lot about the underage system in France online
Had a look...he's playing with their u19 team anyway and started their last mactch a week ago, so hopefully he's doing ok:
https://www.fff.fr/competition/match/24536981-u-s-littoral-dunkerque-stade-de-reims.html
Razors left peg
26/07/2023, 3:41 PM
Theres a bit of chatter online about Kevin Zefi moving to Hellas Verona instead of Newcastle. There would be more 1st team opportunities there so on the face of it, it could be an exciting move. Id love to find out sooner than later if this lad is the real deal, have my doubts about him, but hes definitely talented so if he gets 1st team football in Serie A he immediately becomes viable for an International call up
He'd likely be signed and put into their U19s team. Verona only avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth and doubt they'd be looking towards Zefi as someone that could make an impact in the first team. Otherwise don't think Inter would be looking to move him on.
If he's leaving Inter would like him to leave Italy altogether. Would be more likely to get senior football somewhere like Austria or Switzerland. Get some senior experience and might get himself a move back to Italy.
John Ryan has left Sassuolo and is currently on trial with Reading. Only signed a one year deal when he joined Sassuolo.
Razors left peg
26/07/2023, 4:11 PM
He'd likely be signed and put into their U19s team. Verona only avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth and doubt they'd be looking towards Zefi as someone that could make an impact in the first team. Otherwise don't think Inter would be looking to move him on.
If he's leaving Inter would like him to leave Italy altogether. Would be more likely to get senior football somewhere like Austria or Switzerland. Get some senior experience and might get himself a move back to Italy.
Id doubt if he'd leave to go to Veronas u19s... but we shall see
liamoo11
26/07/2023, 4:55 PM
Had a look...he's playing with their u19 team anyway and started their last mactch a week ago, so hopefully he's doing ok:
https://www.fff.fr/competition/match/24536981-u-s-littoral-dunkerque-stade-de-reims.html
He ended up signing for Swansea after a trial
Exgrad
27/07/2023, 10:00 AM
Id doubt if he'd leave to go to Veronas u19s... but we shall see
What makes you think its his choice to leave Inter?
What makes you think its his choice to leave Inter?
He didn't. Whether it's Inter or Zefi that wants the player sold its still up to the player where he'll eventually go. Inter can't force him to go somewhere he doesn't want to go
liamoo11
27/07/2023, 6:00 PM
What makes you think its his choice to leave Inter?
Contract maybe
John Fallon reporting that Cathal Heffernan could also be joing Verona.
Crosby87
01/08/2023, 4:52 PM
Saw that on Twitter. Have never heard that first name before....
tetsujin1979
01/08/2023, 5:02 PM
Some accounts already backtracking on the move.
tommy_c12000
01/08/2023, 11:32 PM
It seems like this guy Fallon is having a mare these days, the Irish Sun beckons
He's reporting now that Heffernan was on trial with Newcastle last week. Says move should happen in the next 48 hours barring any hitches.
Has been training with Newcastle at least. Pictured in the first photo playing against Barrow AFC for their U21s.
1686031089393881088
Italian journalist reporting that Heffernan to Newcastle is a done deal.
tetsujin1979
11/08/2023, 4:13 PM
Ebosele starting for Udinese today, Abankwah on the bench
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Trequartista20
11/08/2023, 5:06 PM
Played well. Deserves to be in the next squad - as does Manning.
Played well. Deserves to be in the next squad - as does Manning.
I'd leave him with the U21s for the Turkey game unless he's down to start for the seniors away to France. Have him link up with the seniors when they arrive back to Ireland for the Holland game. Think the U21s have San Marino in the second game and can start someone like Johnny Kenny or Zak Gilsenan in that game.
Trequartista20
11/08/2023, 8:37 PM
The senior qualification campaign is yet another very early write-off. May as well expose Ebosele to some adult international football experience. He looks a talent, and I'd hate for us to lose him.
The senior qualification campaign is yet another very early write-off. May as well expose Ebosele to some adult international football experience. He looks a talent, and I'd hate for us to lose him.
That's easy for us to say but Kenny won't be looking at it like that as his job is on the line.
pineapple stu
11/08/2023, 8:43 PM
Are we liable to lose him?
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