Former Italy goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca has praised Roma’s decision to hand their gloves to Morgan De Sanctis.
The capital outfit sold Dutch international Maarten Stekelenburg to Fulham during the summer, bringing in the 36-year-old from Napoli as his replacement.
Former Italy goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca has praised Roma’s decision to hand their gloves to Morgan De Sanctis.
The capital outfit sold Dutch international Maarten Stekelenburg to Fulham during the summer, bringing in the 36-year-old from Napoli as his replacement.
“Roma have done well to focus on De Sanctis,” the ex-Sampdoria, Inter and Bologna shot-stopper told Tele Radio Stereo.
“I’m not closed to the idea of foreign goalkeepers, but if you sign someone who will come with a level of risk, then it is better to go with someone who is tried and tested.
“De Sanctis has been playing at high levels for years and he represents a guarantee for Roma, also because of his personality.”
Serie A clubs have looked abroad for goalkeepers in recent times, something that Pagliuca thinks wasn’t necessary.
“A lot of Brazilian ‘keepers have arrived,” he added. “The latest is Rafael at Napoli, who people swear has a great future.
“In my opinion, apart from Julio Cesar, I haven’t seen that much talent to justify the sort of invasion we have witnessed.
“Dida played well for two seasons at Milan, but I’m in favour of the Italian school of goalkeeping – one which is still offering talented youngsters, even if we need to stop loading them with pressure before they can prove themselves.
“Today the best goalkeepers outside of Italy are Petr Cech and Manuel Neuer, but even they are not flawless. Sometimes they make mistakes that you do not expect.”
Morgan De Sanctis joined Roma this summer just weeks after signing a new contract at Napoli. Antonio Labbate writes on the gamble taken by both the club and the player.