After a slow transfer window, Fiorentina struck late with the big name goalkeeper their supporters have craved for years in David De Gea. Giancarlo Rinaldi looks at the impact the former Manchester United man could make in Serie A.
Even the ever-contrary Fiorentina fans have struggled to complain about this one. After years of grumbling about their goalkeepers, they at last have a name that everyone in the football world recognises. Still only 33 years old, there could be plenty to come from David De Gea.
No disrespect to Pietro Terracciano, but the Spaniard is on a different level to his Italian counterpart. A regular trophy winner with hundreds of Premier League appearances to his name, the man from Madrid has added some much-need stardust to the Viola’s transfer window. Rocco Commisso should be safe from accusations of a lack of ambition for at least a couple of days.
There’s an argument that the Tuscan club have not had anyone of his stature since Sebastien Frey departed more than a decade ago. Artur Boruc was decent, for sure, but he was followed by young prospects who always looked likely to move on for one reason or another in the shape of Norberto Neto, Alban Lafont and Bartlomiej Dragowski. They were also prone to the mistakes that players early in their career will always make. De Gea has signed for a season but they will hope he proves successful enough to take up the option of a second one at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
De Gea back in business
A hot prospect at Atletico Madrid as a teenager and European champion with Spain Under-21s, De Gea stuttered a bit when he was signed by Manchester United. If there were doubts, though, they didn’t last too long as he went on to become one of the Old Trafford side’s top 10 appearance makers. That kind of pedigree is something that Fiorentina and new boss Raffaele Palladino will have been crying out for.
His arrival looks set to see Terracciano depart and, despite his lowly reputation, the club owes a debt of gratitude to the man they dubbed San Pietro. He was central to their progress in the Europa Conference League over the past couple of seasons with some superb saves. He leaves De Gea in a straight fight for the starter’s role with the erratic and colourful Dane Oliver Christensen. There is not much doubt over who will be first choice.
There are question marks, of course, and the biggest one has to be his year or so of inactivity. Despite overtures from the Middle East, he has gone without competitive football for a prolonged spell and it will be fundamental that he readjusts quickly. Fiorentina need him back to his best levels as quickly as possible.
Nonetheless, it feels like the club has traded in its humble three-wheeled Ape van and been given the keys for a Lamborghini. If it works out, it could be one of the smartest acquisitions they have made in recent years. Another new era is under way and the big Spaniard could be an important figure in all of that. If he can help his new employers lift a trophy – something he knows a thing or two about – that would be the icing on the cake.
Giancarlo Rinaldi is the author of a number of books on Italian football. You can follow him on X @ginkers and listen to him on the podcast Rigore!.