Irish diaspora in Italy

**liamoo11** · 11/09/2022, 6:36 PM

Originally Posted by tommy_c120l00

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

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

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/30557749...ce-1-udinese-0

**tetsujin1979** · 12/03/2023, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by liamoo11

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

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

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...-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

**JR89** · 26/07/2023, 3:56 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.

**JR89** · 26/07/2023, 4:02 PM

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

Originally Posted by JR89

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

Originally Posted by Exgrad

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...-de-reims.html

He ended up signing for Swansea after a trial

**Exgrad** · 27/07/2023, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

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?

**JR89** · 27/07/2023, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Exgrad

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