“The use of Schelotto as a right-back? He has the legs of a winger, but not irresistible dribbling skills. He’s the first guy that isn’t convinced. Instead, he should be because that is where he can impose himself and be useful for us.”
The words of Cesare Prandelli give a hint as to where Ezequiel Schelotto’s future may lie, not only with the Italian National team, but at club level, too.
The winger transferred from Atalanta to Inter in the January window and could immediately become an important asset for his new employees, provided he can adapt to a different role.
In Bergamo, he was always used as an orthodox right winger in a midfield four. It is in that position he made his name, firstly at Cesena, before joining Atalanta. With his great pace and directness, an attacking wide role was seemingly a perfect fit, but both Italy and Inter believe his talents are best served elsewhere.
Prandelli is quite convinced that Schelotto can be used as a full-back. Any switch would be dependent on whether he could perform adequately in defensive movements, but he certainly possesses the physical tools. As previously mentioned, he is quick, but also strong and has a good work ethic. At 6ft 1, he has the stature to cope with the high ball and is competent in possession.
What is behind this desire for change is the lack of end product that Schelotto currently provides as a winger. This season, he has contributed one assist and no goals.
When you compare that to another winger playing in a 4 – 4 – 2, Torino’s Alessio Cerci, for example, who has three goals and six assists, or Parma’s Nicola Sansone, with four goals and one assist, it is clear that Schelotto isn’t doing enough. Across three seasons with Atalanta, he has only scored twice.
With these stats in mind, it is understandable why there is a want to move Schelotto to a deeper role.
Prandelli’s idea of dropping him to full-back is maybe too drastic, but a switch to wing-back at Inter should be a more suitable solution.
The Nerazzurri have found there right-side to be a problem position – Brazilian Jonathan has proven to be inadequate, while using Yuto Nagatomo or Javier Zanetti means taking them out of their best position.
As a wing-back, Schelotto still has licence to go forward, while his great stamina will allow him to get up and down the pitch, as the position requires. It is a role that he is seemingly perfectly suited to and now has six months to prove to Andrea Stamaccioni that he can suitably fill it.
The reference point for changing wingers into full-backs in Italian football is Gianluca Zambrotta. Having joined Juventus from Bari in 1999 for a reported fee €15 million, much was expected of the young winger. During his first three seasons in Turin he impressed, but like Schelotto, struggled for goals. Across those three years, he only found the net five times.
For the 2002-03 campaign, the arrival of Mauro Camoranesi prompted then Coach Marcello Lippi to try Zambrotta at full-back. The move was a master-stroke, with the Como native adapting with ease to his new role. Over the coming years, Zambrotta would develop into one of the best full-backs in the world and now few note that he started out as a marauding winger.
Whether Schelotto can emulate Zambrotta’s illustrious career is unclear, but switching position could play better to his strengths and give him a future not only at one of Italy’s biggest clubs, but also with the National team.
Quite a naive article. Zambrotta was used at fullback well before 02-03. For a start he played at fullback and wingback for the Azzurri during euro 2000. Please do some research next time before making yourself look very sloppy bordering on foolish.