The Granata president spoke on the sidelines of the La7 schedules presentation: “We are one step away from Anjorin. The goal is to give the coach a squad 90% ready before pre-season training.”
The presentation of La7`s upcoming season schedules provided an opportunity to discuss football. On the sidelines of the press conference at the Four Seasons in Milan, Urbano Cairo, president of La7, RCS Mediagroup, and Torino Football Club, shared updates on the Granata`s transfer market, including the departure of Ricci (headed for Milan) and the promising midfield alternative, Tino Anjorin. He also addressed the stadium situation, commented on the national team, and highlighted successful investments in the youth sector, which saw Torino win two championships (Under 17 and 18) this season.
Ricci to Milan and Anjorin
“We accommodated the player who had a very good journey with us. There was this offer that he was happy for us to accept. Now we have an interesting alternative,” explained Cairo. “It`s part of the normal evolution of things. Captains leave, but new, equally good ones are created. Everyone sells, not just Torino. The world of football is in a new phase, no longer one where players stayed with a team for twenty years.”
He then discussed potential new arrivals:
“Anjorin? He is very close to Toro. I mention him because we are truly one step away, just like with Ricci to Milan. For the rest, there are other things in progress and negotiations, but before talking about them, I want more certainty. The goal, however, is to give the coach a squad at least 90% ready before pre-season camp.”
Ownership and Stadium
The president also responded to questions regarding the club`s ownership and infrastructure:
“Americans? I haven`t received any proposal. Red Bull? Never had even half a contact, I`ve said it a hundred times. Zero. Never seen or heard from them, except for the fact that they were Toro`s energy sponsor. Stadium? We need to meet with the mayor. I hope it happens soon.”
National Team and Youth Sector
Cairo offered his thoughts on the Italian national team and youth development:
“Let`s hope for the best. Gattuso has revitalized [the team] with great desire and temperament. I hope he does the right things to go to the World Cup. Few Italians in the Italian league? Perhaps, but I believe many other national teams have players abroad. We have 60 million inhabitants, and you can`t fail to produce enough players to compete at a high level. Here, perhaps there`s also an issue with Academies that need to be developed not only at the club level but also for the National team. For our part, we invest a lot in the youth sector; we won with the Under 17 and 18. If you work well there, you are working well throughout the youth sector, and Primavera (U19 team) and then the first team certainly benefit.”
