Locatelli: ‘Barella is a great player’

Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli has praised Inter man Nicolò Barella and said it’s 'wonderful' to play with him and Jorginho for Italy.

The Neroverdi midfielder has never hidden the fact that he wants a move to a top club in search of Champions League football, and the 22-year-old has earned a place in the Italy squad through his performances at the Mapei Stadium.

Locatelli, who moved to Sassuolo from Milan in August 2018, enjoys his time as a teammate with the best players in Italy and especially playing next to Barella.

Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli has praised Inter man Nicolò Barella and said it’s 'wonderful' to play with him and Jorginho for Italy.

The Neroverdi midfielder has never hidden the fact that he wants a move to a top club in search of Champions League football, and the 22-year-old has earned a place in the Italy squad through his performances at the Mapei Stadium.

Locatelli, who moved to Sassuolo from Milan in August 2018, enjoys his time as a teammate with the best players in Italy and especially playing next to Barella.

“Barella is a great player,” Locatelli told SportMediaset. “I have always said that.

“I believe his strength is the humility that has always distinguished him since he was a kid, since I have known him.

“Playing with him and with [Chelsea midfielder] Jorginho is wonderful, we have a lot of fun. It was a good match [against Poland].”

Locatelli has played five times for Italy and played the full 90 minutes when the Azzurri beat Poland 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday.