Granovskaia contacts top Chelsea target after Euros injury
Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia reportedly sent Leonardo Spinazzola a message following his injury at Euro 2020.
The Roma full-back was in tears on the pitch before being stretchered off during Italy’s 2-1 quarter-final win over Belgium on Friday.
It has since been reported that he suffered a rupture of his Achilles tendon and is now set for seven months on the sidelines.
READ MORE: Southgate, Germans and more penalties: England in semi-finals
Spinazzola had been one of the top performers at Euro 2020 and caught the eye of many admirers as he bombed down the left side for Roberto Mancini’s side.
His teammates showed their respect for Spinazzola after the win over Belgium and were filmed chanting his name on their flight back from Munich.
The players were banging on the ceiling chanting ‘Spina’.
But they were not the only people to show their support for the stricken Italian international.
New Roma boss Jose Mourinho is said to have sent him a message, as well as Granovskaia, according to Sky Sport Italia journalist Angelo Mangiante.
#Spinazzola won’t be able to play for the next 6/7 months (broke his Achilles tendon).
Spinazzola received messages and phone calls from Mourinho and other teams, including from Marina Granovskaia, as one of the clubs most interested in him was Chelsea. Stay strong! @SkySport pic.twitter.com/FnC9UhMzPR— Angelo Mangiante (@angelomangiante) July 4, 2021
Mangiante explained that Chelsea are ‘one of the clubs most interested in signing him’.
Granovskaia’s attention has now turned elsewhere in her search for full-back options.
Spinazzola was thought to be a top target for Chelsea with his ability to operate on both flanks a big bonus in Thomas Tuchel’s system.
The Blues were also reportedly keen on a move for Inter Milan right-back Achraf Hakimi, but it looks as though Paris Saint-Germain have won the race to sign the Moroccan.
But Chelsea do have a number of very good full-backs on their books already, with Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta and Emerson all part of their respective international squads in the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
That strength in depth means Tuchel could remain patient and revive interest in Spinazzola in the summer of 2022 when he has recovered from injury.
Providing his reaction to his injury on Instagram, Spinazzola said: ‘We all know how it went but our blue dream continues and with this great group nothing is impossible. I can only tell you that I will return soon! I am sure!’
