‘Giaccherini staying at Sunderland’

Emmanuele Giaccherini’s agent thanks Antonio Conte for his Italy call-up, and insists his client is ‘100 per cent’ staying at Sunderland.

The winger was included in the Azzurri training camp before the Croatia game, and though he was not included in the final 23, his representative expresses gratitude for the opportunity.

“Emmanuele was very pleased to return to the Azzurri,” Furio Valcareggi told journalists at a fashion event.

Emmanuele Giaccherini’s agent thanks Antonio Conte for his Italy call-up, and insists his client is ‘100 per cent’ staying at Sunderland.

The winger was included in the Azzurri training camp before the Croatia game, and though he was not included in the final 23, his representative expresses gratitude for the opportunity.

“Emmanuele was very pleased to return to the Azzurri,” Furio Valcareggi told journalists at a fashion event.

“He was also calm when Conte decided not to put him in the squad after the training camp, because he had only played for 20 minutes in the last six months, and that was against Chelsea with the team [Sunderland] already safe.”

Does that lack of playing time mean the former Juventus man will be seeking to leave Wearside in the summer?

“Sunderland have kept [Dick] Advocaat as manager, he’s a very good one, a guru of football, and with him Giaccherini can be a genius.

“I’m sure Giaccherini will do very well next season, his goal is the European Championships. He will 100 per cent remain at Sunderland.

“Although we had some interest last winter, we decided to believe in the project of the English club.”