Fiorentina linked to Scamacca, a talented but unproven young striker

If there’s one position in which Fiorentina is lacking this year, it’s a proven, prolific goalscorer. Kevin-Prince Boateng has useful qualities but isn’t a true striker. The other options—Pedro, Dušan Vlahović, Bobby Duncan—are all young and unproven in Serie A; none have ever scored in the top flight. Fellow youngsters Gabriele Gori and Martin Graiciar are on loan and are even less ready the the aforementioned options. Cyril Théréau just isn’t it.

With this largely youthful group of center forwards, many of whom have the potential to become world-class strikers, you’d think that Daniele Pradè and company would indeed want to add a prima punta. You’d also think that they’d want to add a guy with a track record of getting goals rather than a developmental project. So why in the name of el Tanque Silva are we hearing whispers that the Viola are going to move for Gianluca Scamacca?

Don’t get me wrong. Scamacca looks like a good player now and maybe a star down the line. He’s very large and quite imposing in the air, as befits a 195 cm (6’5) number 9 and provides a threat on crosses, but he’s also got surprisingly quick feet and can hold up play quite well, as well as occasionally burst into space in a way that’s quite surprising for such a load. More than that, though, he’s got that true poacher’s instinct for being in the right place at the right time. He’s also got this in his toolbox.

He’s on loan at Ascoli in Serie B for the year from Sassuolo, where he’s been on the books since January 2017; he’s had stops at Lazio, AS Roma, PSV, Cremonese (where he teamed with Gaetano Castrovilli), and PEC Zwolle, so he’s well traveled. However, the Neroverdi have him locked up until 2023 and aren’t likely to let him go any time soon. After all, this is the starting striker for the Italy U21s (3 goals in 6 appearances) who’s got 6 goals in 9 appearances for il Picchio—that’s one every 95 minutes, which is very good. He’s well on his way.

On the other hand, why the heck would Fiorentina bring him aboard? Vlahović, Pedro, Duncan, and Gori already comprise a glut of talent at center forward, and that’s before you take into account Primavera standouts like Neno Kukovec. Honestly, a few of those guys may have to move on, as there’s surely not enough space for all of them. Adding someone else to the mix is just crazy. We’re willing to bet that this has nothing to do with what the Gigliati are actually planning and everything to do with some doofus at TMW noticing that Scamacca is having a solid year and spinning a wheel with Serie A team names that stopped on Fiorentina.