As of Friday, the arrival of Lorenzo Lucca at Nottingham Forest appears to be a formality, with the Napoli striker reportedly finalizing the final steps of his move to the City Ground.
The 25-year-old forward took part in his final training session with the Italian side on Thursday before bidding farewell to his colleagues. Shortly thereafter, he traveled to England to undergo the necessary medical tests and paperwork. The deal is structured as an initial loan move, with Forest retaining an option to make the transfer permanent at a later date. However, while the Reds prepare to welcome him, the striker is departing Italy under a cloud of significant criticism.
Backlash and “Unspoken Norms” in Italy
Lucca’s exit has been met with a wave of negativity from the Italian media, sparked by his conduct during his departure. Upon arriving at the airport, the forward refused to engage with the press, keeping his head down and avoiding questions—a move that flies in the face of the “unspoken norm” where departing players offer a final word to the fans and journalists.
Michele Criscitiello of SportItalia was particularly vocal about the player’s demeanor, warning that a failure to adjust his attitude could lead to further struggles in England. He suggested that Lucca needs to “wake up” to avoid doing “damage” at his next club. This criticism follows a difficult period on the pitch, with AreaNapoli highlighting a costly missed one-on-one chance in a recent 1-1 Champions League draw against Copenhagen that left the club’s European hopes in jeopardy.
Why the Move Suits Both Parties
Despite the “barrage of criticism” he has faced recently, there are several reasons why this move could be the fresh start Lucca needs:
- Lack of Opportunity: Lucca has struggled for rhythm in Naples, clocking just 401 minutes in Serie A this season. With Rasmus Højlund firmly established as Antonio Conte’s first choice, Lucca was never given the consistent run of games required to find his form.
- A Tactical Fit for Dyche: While some view him strictly as a backup, his massive physical profile makes him a “weapon” for Sean Dyche’s tactical system. Dyche has a well-documented history of utilizing tall, aerially dominant strikers to act as a focal point for the attack.
- Low-Risk, High-Reward: The loan structure allows Forest to assess his impact on the Premier League’s physical demands without an immediate permanent commitment, while giving the player a chance to silence his critics in a new environment.
While his time in Italy may be ending on a sour note, his arrival provides Nottingham Forest with a unique profile of striker that they have lacked this season.
