Italy CT Roberto Mancini claims Fiorentina bound Aleksandr Kokorin ‘had the quality to play for Real Madrid.’

Mancini coached the Russian striker at Zenit in the 2017-18 campaign, when Kokorin scored 19 goals in 35 games.

“I can only speak highly of him, both as a footballer and as a person,” Mancini told La Nazione.

“Kokorin is a champion, he had the quality to play for any club, including Real Madrid,” he added.

Italy CT Roberto Mancini defends Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo after the derby defeat to Inter. ‘It’s normal to have difficulties at the beginning’.

Inter secured a 2-0 win over the Bianconeri on Sunday and currently sit seven points above the Old Lady, who have a game in hand.

Mancini was pleased to see Italy international Nicolò Barella score and said he enjoyed watching ‘a good game’.

In the second part of his interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roberto Mancini claims Chelsea’s Emerson Palmieri should make Serie A return and reveals who is the ‘less replaceable’ Italy player.

The Chelsea full-back has been linked with a move to Inter and Napoli in the January transfer window.

Italy CT Roberto Mancini believes Inter-Juve is ‘almost decisive’ for Andrea Pirlo’s side and says Gigio Donnarumma is the best goalkeeper in the world.

Inter and Juventus meet at the Stadio Meazza on Sunday and the Azzurri coach has shared his thoughts on the game in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Inter have improved over the years and they are ready to win, but Juventus have the most competitive team and the experience coming from nine straight Serie A titles," Mancini said.

Italy internationals Alessandro Florenzi, Marco Verratti and Moise Kean are celebrating after winning the French Supercup with Paris Saint-Germain.

While Verratti has a packed trophy cabinet from his time at the club, this was the first taste of silverware for former Roma full-back Florenzi.

PSG’s social media accounts used that fact to mock rivals Olympique Marseille, who were beaten 2-1 in the Final last night.

A clause in Stephan El Shaarawy’s contract with Shanghai Shenhua could help the winger secure a return to Roma.

The 28-year-old moved from the Giallorossi to Shanghai for €16m in July 2019 but has struggled to adapt to Chinese football.

And Sky Sport Italia reports Roma are working to bring the winger back to the Olimpico this winter, even if El Shaarawy is tied to Shenhua until June 2022.

Inter are reportedly meeting with Alessandro Bastoni’s representatives, working on a deal until June 2025.

Tuttomercatoweb claims the Nerazzurri are meeting with the defender’s entourage today to discuss the future and negotiate a new deal for the young Italy international.

Bastoni has been in talks with the Beneamata for quite some time and the talks are advancing, and the outlet claims the club is preparing a bumper new deal until the summer of 2025.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti confirms Moise Kean could join PSG on a permanent deal and insists he doesn't want to sell Roma target Bernard.

Kean joined PSG on loan from Everton in October 2020 and has scored 12 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

Back in November, Leonardo said it would have been difficult for PSG to sign the Italy international permanently, but Ancelotti has now opened the door to Kean’s exit.

Italy CT Roberto Mancini says there is only one thing that makes Federico Chiesa and his father Enrico similar and suggests Mattia Zaccagni and Matteo Lovato should join a top team ‘when the right moment comes.’

Chiesa, who joined Juventus from Fiorentina for €60m last summer scored a brace in the Old Lady’s 3-1 win over Milan on Wednesday, but Mancini believes the Bianconeri winger can’t be compared with his father Enrico, a former Fiorentina, Parma and Sampdoria star.

Juventus are reportedly interested in Sampdoria veteran Fabio Quagliarella, but it's not sure if the 38-year-old wants a return to Turin.

The 38-year-old finds himself at a crossroads, as La Gazzetta dello Sport reveals interest from the Old Lady coach Andrea Pirlo.

Quagliarella was expected to renew with Sampdoria but might get an opportunity to return to Juventus for the last chapter of his career.