Player Talk : Palladino

Palla: Let me play
Tuesday 5 February, 2008

Juventus forward Raffaele Palladino has responded to his surprise call-up to the Italy squad by demanding more regular first-team football in Turin.

A few eyebrows were raised in the peninsula when the former Azzurrini forward was selected in Roberto Donadoni's squad to face Portugal while teammate Alessandro Del Piero was snubbed.

Palladino’s versatility has helped him force his way into Donadoni’s plans and he may be asked to play on the right wing, which he admits is a sacrifice he is willing to make for Juve too in order to get a chance to shine at club level.

“It’s obvious that I would like to play a little more,” the former Livorno man stated. “But Juventus have decided to talk about it at the end of the season and in June we will clarify things.

“I challenge any striker in Italy to play on the wing. I do it happily to get more games, but it’s clear that I am adapted to playing in different roles.

“I need to play regularly, but too often I read criticism while I am making sacrifices and playing out wide or even dropping back into defence."

With Mauro Camoranesi returning from a long-term injury, Palladino’s chances of playing first-team football have been further damaged and he has revealed that a move to Napoli was tempting.

“The competition here is ruthless,” the 23-year-old said. “But I’m an optimist and I will try to do whatever I can because I want to play at Euro 2008 so much.

“Napoli have made contact with me and it makes me happy to know that such a prestigious club want me, but I don’t like change and wasn’t looking to move in January.

* channel4